Windows 11 - live: Microsoft’s new ‘next generation’ operating system unveiled today

A new Start Menu, better Xbox integration, a revamped Windows Store, and more are all expected in the announcement

(The Independent)

Microsoft is today announcing its new operating system, Windows 11. The “next generation of Windows” will be showcased at a virtual event, with a new user interface and hints of new features.

Windows 10, the current operating system, was said to be the company’s final version - but the company is now promising “significant” updates. A first build of Windows 11 has already leaked, revealing a new, more rounded interface, a new Start Menu, widgets, and more.

It is also expected there will be changes to the Windows Store, a closer integration with Xbox services, and possibly Office 365 updates.

Read more:

• Windows 11: Everything Microsoft is promising from the operating system nobody expected
• Microsoft's 'next generation' Windows 11 OS leaks revealing weird Start menu, widgets, Xbox apps and more
• Microsoft will end support for ‘the last version of Windows’ in October 2025

[24 June 2021 16:30 · Adam Smith]

Direct Storage

“It just works”, says Sarah Bond - a small snipe at Apple’s slogan! Nice touch.

Xbox Series X’s Direct Storage feature means games can quickly load directly to the graphics card, which should make gaming faster.

[24 June 2021 16:31 · Adam Smith]

Xbox Game Pass on Windows 11

Xbox Game Pass is now built into Windows with a new app.

For a monthly price, gamers get access to hundreds of games on PC. It includes all of EA Play, Bethesda games - which Microsoft bought recently - and third party games.

“The highest fidelity games on all PCs”, Bond says. Crossplay and cross-save works across devices.

(Microsoft)

[24 June 2021 16:34 · Adam Smith]

Apps on Windows 11

“Windows has always been about apps”, Panos says.

A new rebuilt Microsoft Store - “built for speed” - which we expected from reports and the leaked build.

(Microsoft)

[24 June 2021 16:36 · Adam Smith]

Developers in the store

Developers can be in their store with their own “commercial engine” and will receive 100 per cent of the profits, Panos says.

In the wake of Apple and Epic Games’ lawsuit, this could be a huge move.

[24 June 2021 16:37 · Adam Smith]

Android apps coming to Windows

Android apps are now coming to Windows - integrated into the Start Menu and the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft is doing this through the Amazon App Store which, on Android tablets and Amazon’s own Fire tablets, is not great. Interesting that it is not the Google Play Store - but that’s because Amazon’s App Store is in the Windows Store already. Apps are running via Intel Bridge technology

[24 June 2021 16:41 · Adam Smith]

“The beginning of a new generation"

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, now on stage. He says Windows 11 is a the “beginning of a new generation" - although seems more like an iterative update, albeit a welcome one.

But then, we saw a similar thing from Apple’s new macOS Monterey.

[24 June 2021 16:46 · Adam Smith]

The End!

And we’re out! New UI, new Microsoft and Xbox apps, Android apps via the Amazon App Store, and some tablet updates.

I’m interviewing Panos Panay tomorrow, so if you have any questions about Windows 11, tweet at me - I’ll levy them to him in the time that I’ve got.

[24 June 2021 17:58 · Adam Smith]

Windows 11 will be free!

Finally, here are all the images Microsoft put out of the new Windows 11 OS. If you have any questions for me or Panos Panay, drop me a comment or a message. What are you most excited about, disappointed by, or think that Microsoft still needs to add?

One thing we do know: Windows 11 will be a free upgrade, with a preview build coming later this week. The official operating system will launch “this holiday season”, and until then we’ll have to see what else happens.