Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: Key Differences

Windows 11, Microsoft's latest operating system, was released in October 2021. As long as Microsoft is offering assistance for Windows 10, you can continue to use it without any issues till October 2025.

You might already have Windows 10 and want to upgrade. If so, you can get a free copy of Windows 11. Microsoft Windows 11 is an interesting upgrade to Windows 10. Moreover, in terms of usability, Windows 11 is vastly superior to its predecessor.

If you are interested in upgrading your system from Windows 10 to Windows 11 but wondering if it would be the right move, you are at the right place. Here, we are going to highlight some of the key differences between the two operating systems. Also, you will get to know what upgrades and extra features you will be getting in Windows 11.

What’s New in Windows 11?

Among the most noticeable features of Windows 11 are its visuals. The early versions of Microsoft Windows were known for drab boxes and plain wallpapers depicting lush green hillsides. However, this has changed dramatically over the years.

When it comes to Windows 11, icons have been modified to look more attractive. Also, the Windows startup sound was shut off by default in Windows 8, 8.1, and 10, but is enabled in Windows 11. Also, Windows 11 features a new version of the Windows logo.

Another noticeable change in Windows 11 is that everything now has a rounded appearance. Along with rounded corners, various elements, including windows, menus, and notification boxes look more polished.

Moreover, users can now switch between a brighter, more vibrant appearance and a darker, less vibrant appearance that covers everything, ranging from the desktop wallpaper to menus and applications.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Comparison Based on Different Parameters

Start Menu & Taskbar

Windows 11 and Windows 10 vary considerably when it comes to the Start Menu and Taskbar. In Windows 11, the Start Menu and the Taskbar are at the bottom center of the screen. In this way, it replicates the design of macOS and Chrome OS. The option to move it back to the left is also available.

In Windows 11, the Start Menu has been simplified. All commonly used documents will be at the bottom of the list of applications. Also, you can organize the apps as per your preferences. Windows 11 no longer supports Live Tiles, which is a significant change when compared to Windows 10.

Multitasking Support

Snap Layouts, which group multiple windows together and save them to the taskbar for quick access, make multitasking in Windows 11 a lot easier. Hovering your mouse pointer over the Maximize button allows you to create custom-sized window tiling. This isn't an option in Windows 10. You can manually tile your windows just like in previous Snap versions by pressing a keyboard shortcut or dragging your cursor to the side of the screen.

Microsoft Store

In Windows 11 and 10, the look and feel of Microsoft Store are identical. Microsoft's app store for Windows 11 doesn't include an option to download Android apps. In order to download android apps for Windows 11, you'll need the new Windows Subsystem for Android. It is a free utility and an app in Microsoft Store that provides a subsystem to run Android apps on Windows 11. However, this system is not available in Windows 10.

Widgets

Windows 11 has got more improved widgets than Windows 10. From upcoming events on the calendar to current weather conditions and personalized news and article recommendations, there are a lot of useful widgets in Windows 11. Thanks to AI-driven curation, you' can get to-do lists, traffic reports, and book recommendations based on your location and personal preferences.

However, Widgets can be allowed to access partially or completely via a removable panel on the left side of the screen, based on the user's preference. You don't have to open up a new window to return to your work, even though widgets appear on a transparent pane.

Compatibility

Windows 10 and Windows 11 compatibility is an essential consideration for many users. But since the release of Windows 8.1, the supported CPU architecture has remained largely unchanged. AMD Ryzen 2000 series and Intel 8th generation processors must run the most recent version of operating systems.

Moreover, due to this, many PCs are not officially supported. In 2017, Intel's 8th-generation processors came into existence. Moreover, AMD's Ryzen 2000 processors were released in the spring of 2018. If your computer is more than four years old, you probably won't be able to run Windows 11.

Gaming Upgrades

There are a number of gaming-specific features in Windows 11. To improve the graphics of gaming, Windows 11 provide features such as Direct Storage and Auto HDR. In addition, there is an addition of a completely new Xbox app, allowing users to get access to new Microsoft games.

Enhanced Support for Voice, Touchscreen, and Pen

Windows 11 has brought enhanced support for voice touchscreen, and pen. Bigger tough targets and visual indicators make it easy for touchscreen users to move and resize windows. Also, using the on-screen keyboard has become easier and fosters easy typing.

Without any additional software required, Windows 11 supports voice tying with improved and automatic punctuation and voice recognition. Finally, using a pen or stylus has also become easy in Windows 11.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Head-to-Head Comparison

The Bottom Line

This was all about the differences between Windows 11 and Windows 10. The former is more improved in terms of performance as well as features. Also, you must always use the latest version of any operating system or software. The reason is that the updated version comes with bug fixes and improved security. Though you are using Windows 10, you will need to upgrade to Windows 11 once its support ends.

So, better to upgrade it now and enjoy new features.