Microsoft has released Windows 11 — what's changed and how to install it
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2025 4:52 am
Comparison of DGMR and two competing methods in predicting rainfall over the eastern United States in April 2019.
To test this approach, the team asked 56 Met Office meteorologists to blindly rate DGMR forecasts against those produced by physical simulations and a competing deep learning tool. 89% of them said DGMR performed better.
DeepMind’s collaboration with the Met Office is a great example of AI development with the end user in mind. The team worked on the project for several years, and feedback from meteorologists helped shape the final result.
The free update is now available for users. And starting October 5, new Surfaces and partner devices with Windows 11 out of the box will go on sale. Here's a brief overview of the main changes.
New design
The Start menu and taskbar are now centered on the colombia number data screen, and there are no more live tiles. The Start menu now shows not only applications, but also recently opened documents from OneDrive, as well as a bar for local and online search.
Windows, context menus, and other system interface elements have been redesigned with rounded corners, soft shadows, and animations. The design of Settings, File Explorer, Photos, Snipping Tool, and other system applications have also been redesigned.
Later, Paint and the built-in video player will receive changes.
Video player
00:00
00:19
System sounds have been updated and become “softer” to reduce users’ anxiety from notifications and messages, writes CNBC.
The quick access panel and notification panel have been separated and also received a new design. For example, now in quick access you can more conveniently select Wi-Fi networks, adjust the system volume and screen brightness.
Widgets
The "Mini-apps" button has appeared on the taskbar. This is a panel of interactive personalized widgets with quick access to the task list, calendar, weather, news, and other information services.
New Microsoft Store with support for x86 apps, and Android apps in the future
The app store has received a redesign and new features. Now developers can host not only UWP (Universal Windows Platform) and PWA (Progressive Web Apps) applications, but also classic Win32 applications (exe and .msi formats), use their own payment system, and host their own app stores.
For example, at launch, the Windows 11 store will feature Epic Games Store, Opera, Discord, LibreOffice, and other popular apps and services.
Video player
00:00
00:04
Redesigned window management system
New features: Snap Layouts allows you to quickly distribute open windows across multiple screen areas, and Snap Group groups applications and remembers their location on the screen.
To invoke Snap Layouts, the user simply hovers over the former “Expand” button in the upper right corner.
Video player
00:00
00:04
Updated virtual desktop management - you can customize, drag and drop, and resize them.
When you connect external displays, Windows 11 preserves the arrangement of windows. For example, the system will automatically arrange windows on the monitor and laptop screen as they were arranged when they were last connected.
Built-in Teams and Clock app with Pomodoro timer
The Windows 11 taskbar integrates the Teams app for quick access to chats and video calls with people on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
The Clock application has also been updated - it allows you not only to set timers and alarms, but also to work using the Pomodoro system with Spotify support.
The Productivity Sessions feature allows you to set a timer for short periods of time during which you can focus on a specific task with Microsoft To-Do. At the same time, you can turn on background music in Spotify and track your progress for the day.
“Our model would evolve differently than if we were working alone,” said DeepMind researcher Suman Ravuri. “Otherwise, the model might not be very useful.”
To test this approach, the team asked 56 Met Office meteorologists to blindly rate DGMR forecasts against those produced by physical simulations and a competing deep learning tool. 89% of them said DGMR performed better.
DeepMind’s collaboration with the Met Office is a great example of AI development with the end user in mind. The team worked on the project for several years, and feedback from meteorologists helped shape the final result.
The free update is now available for users. And starting October 5, new Surfaces and partner devices with Windows 11 out of the box will go on sale. Here's a brief overview of the main changes.
New design
The Start menu and taskbar are now centered on the colombia number data screen, and there are no more live tiles. The Start menu now shows not only applications, but also recently opened documents from OneDrive, as well as a bar for local and online search.
Windows, context menus, and other system interface elements have been redesigned with rounded corners, soft shadows, and animations. The design of Settings, File Explorer, Photos, Snipping Tool, and other system applications have also been redesigned.
Later, Paint and the built-in video player will receive changes.
Video player
00:00
00:19
System sounds have been updated and become “softer” to reduce users’ anxiety from notifications and messages, writes CNBC.
The quick access panel and notification panel have been separated and also received a new design. For example, now in quick access you can more conveniently select Wi-Fi networks, adjust the system volume and screen brightness.
Widgets
The "Mini-apps" button has appeared on the taskbar. This is a panel of interactive personalized widgets with quick access to the task list, calendar, weather, news, and other information services.
New Microsoft Store with support for x86 apps, and Android apps in the future
The app store has received a redesign and new features. Now developers can host not only UWP (Universal Windows Platform) and PWA (Progressive Web Apps) applications, but also classic Win32 applications (exe and .msi formats), use their own payment system, and host their own app stores.
For example, at launch, the Windows 11 store will feature Epic Games Store, Opera, Discord, LibreOffice, and other popular apps and services.
Video player
00:00
00:04
Redesigned window management system
New features: Snap Layouts allows you to quickly distribute open windows across multiple screen areas, and Snap Group groups applications and remembers their location on the screen.
To invoke Snap Layouts, the user simply hovers over the former “Expand” button in the upper right corner.
Video player
00:00
00:04
Updated virtual desktop management - you can customize, drag and drop, and resize them.
When you connect external displays, Windows 11 preserves the arrangement of windows. For example, the system will automatically arrange windows on the monitor and laptop screen as they were arranged when they were last connected.
Built-in Teams and Clock app with Pomodoro timer
The Windows 11 taskbar integrates the Teams app for quick access to chats and video calls with people on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
The Clock application has also been updated - it allows you not only to set timers and alarms, but also to work using the Pomodoro system with Spotify support.
The Productivity Sessions feature allows you to set a timer for short periods of time during which you can focus on a specific task with Microsoft To-Do. At the same time, you can turn on background music in Spotify and track your progress for the day.
“Our model would evolve differently than if we were working alone,” said DeepMind researcher Suman Ravuri. “Otherwise, the model might not be very useful.”