The 6 Windows 11 features you have to try

The brand new 12 months is nearly right here, and should you’re in search of alternative ways to spice up your productiveness and streamline how you utilize your laptop in 2022, you will wish to strive these options in Home windows 11. Microsoft’s new working system arrived this fall with a redesigned interface and a bunch of recent options. It boasts choices for simpler digital desktop and widget customization, a extra built-in Microsoft Groups expertise and assist for Android apps, simply to call just a few. Whether or not you are utilizing your machine at house or within the workplace, these new options intention to make your life a little bit simpler. 

Consider, although, Microsoft Home windows 11’s replace is rolling out in phases. This implies the replace is coming to newer gadgets first, and shall be supplied to all different suitable gadgets by mid-2022. (Notice: There is a means you possibly can skip the wait and obtain the OS free of charge now.) For those who’re hesitant to replace to the brand new OS, do not stress. Upgrading to Home windows 11 from Home windows 10 is not necessary, no less than not but, and Microsoft says it is going to assist the older working system till 2025. 

Learn extra: Home windows 11 overview: Microsoft’s delicate adjustments make you ask, replace or wait?

However should you’re able to replace, have already got Home windows 11 or simply wish to try the newest Microsoft has to supply, we laid out the most effective new Home windows 11 options we have seen and the way you will use them. You too can try how Home windows 11 compares to Home windows 10, all the pieces Home windows 11 did not give us and what’s Home windows 11 SE?

Our favourite options in Home windows 11 and easy methods to use them

Android apps

What it’s: Android apps shall be constructed into Home windows 11 natively by the new Microsoft Retailer — a change Home windows customers have been ready on for years. Know, nevertheless, that assist for Android apps is just not a part of the primary delivery model of Home windows 11: It should include one other launch within the coming months.

Although you would entry Android apps in your Home windows 10 PC in sure instances (like when you’ve got a Samsung Galaxy telephone), Home windows 11 will mark the primary time everybody will be capable of obtain them straight onto your PC. (Here is all the pieces to learn about Android apps on Home windows 11.) 

How you will use it: As soon as Home windows 11 can deal with them, Android apps shall be within the new Microsoft Retailer by way of Amazon’s Appstore. Which means you will must obtain the Amazon Appstore to entry the almost 500,000 apps obtainable there, together with Disney Plus, TikTok, Netflix, Pinterest and Uber. Nonetheless, you will not be capable of entry each Android app discovered within the Google Play Retailer.

When it is time, you will must obtain the Amazon Appstore and signal into or create an Amazon account. Then you’ll seek for free or paid apps as you’ll on some other platform. Android apps shall be built-in into the Begin bar and also will seem on the Taskbar with their very own home windows. 

Widgets

What it’s: Home windows 11 provides Widgets to the interface — an AI-powered customizable feed that slides out to point out you such data as information, climate, a glimpse at your calendar and to-do listing and your current pictures. Widgets are just like a function referred to as information and pursuits present in a current Home windows 10 replace. 

How you will use it: On the newly redesigned taskbar, you will discover a button for Widgets. Once you click on or faucet it, a panel will slide out from the left aspect of your display screen with a sequence of widgets that provide the at-a-glance data you are in search of. You too can increase it to be full display screen. 

Microsoft Groups

What it’s: Home windows 11 builds Microsoft’s video chat platform Groups straight into the working system, making it simpler to entry for day by day use. You possibly can join with others on Groups throughout Home windows, Android, Mac or iOS. 

How you will use it: You may even see Groups seem within the taskbar. If not, you possibly can seek for it. Click on the Groups icon to launch a Chat device, letting you select if you wish to message, textual content, voice or video name one among your contacts. Click on Meet or Chat, and select who you wish to contact. Or, open the total model of Microsoft groups by clicking the field on the backside of the Chat display screen. (Here is extra about easy methods to use the brand new and improved Microsoft Groups in Home windows 11.)

Desktops

What it’s: Home windows 11 enables you to extra simply create separate digital desktops for every a part of your life, and customise them with totally different wallpapers, so you possibly can create a desktop for private use, work, college, gaming or the rest, and simply toggle between them. That is just like the MacOS digital desktop function. 

How you will use it: Faucet the desktop button on the taskbar to pop up a panel together with your present desktop. Faucet the plus button within the New desktop space to create a brand new desktop. Faucet the X button to take away it. Then faucet a desktop to modify to it. 

Snap Layouts

What it’s: Once you’re working in a bunch of open home windows, Home windows 11 enables you to organize them in numerous layouts on the display screen, and can save all of these home windows in that association. 

How you will use it: Once you open a window, you will see a button that appears like a sq. within the high proper nook, in between the X and the reduce button. Hover over that to see totally different format choices for that window, and choose the format and the place throughout the format that you just wish to place that window. 

Snap Teams 

What it’s: Snap Teams are the set of open home windows that you just saved in Snap Layouts, discovered within the taskbar for simple entry to name up as soon as once more, so you possibly can reduce or maximize them as a gaggle.

How you will use it: Hover over your browser within the taskbar (it is unclear if you must be utilizing Microsoft Edge to take action, as Microsoft did in its demo). You will see the totally different teams of websites and apps you created pop up. Click on the one you wish to open the entire group once more. (Here is extra about utilizing Snap Layouts and Snap Teams.)

For extra, try extra about how Home windows 11’s desktop widgets and layouts work and easy methods to change your Home windows 11 wallpaper. You too can check out CNET’s listing of the greatest Home windows laptops you should purchase and the greatest laptops underneath $500.