Windows 11 OS Release Info

[corsair91]

Windows 11 OS Release Info

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11


Minimum system requirements

Processor
1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)

Memory 4 GB RAM

Storage 64 GB or larger storage device

System firmware UEFI, Secure Boot capable

TPM Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0

Graphics card DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x

Display >9” with HD Resolution (720p)

Internet connection
Microsoft account and internet connectivity required for setup for Windows 11 Home

Certain features require specific hardware, see detailed system requirements.


Microsoft is still supporting Windows 10 through October 14, 2025.

[corsair91]

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/tpm/trusted-platform-module-overview


Trusted Platform Module (TPM) technology is designed to provide hardware-based, security-related functions. A TPM chip is a secure crypto-processor that is designed to carry out cryptographic operations. The chip includes multiple physical security mechanisms to make it tamper resistant, and malicious software is unable to tamper with the security functions of the TPM. Some of the key advantages of using TPM technology are that you can:

Generate, store, and limit the use of cryptographic keys.

Use TPM technology for platform device authentication by using the TPM’s unique RSA key, which is burned into itself.

Help ensure platform integrity by taking and storing security measurements.

The most common TPM functions are used for system integrity measurements and for key creation and use. During the boot process of a system, the boot code that is loaded (including firmware and the operating system components) can be measured and recorded in the TPM. The integrity measurements can be used as evidence for how a system started and to make sure that a TPM-based key was used only when the correct software was used to boot the system.

TPM-based keys can be configured in a variety of ways. One option is to make a TPM-based key unavailable outside the TPM. This is good to mitigate phishing attacks because it prevents the key from being copied and used without the TPM. TPM-based keys can also be configured to require an authorization value to use them. If too many incorrect authorization guesses occur, the TPM will activate its dictionary attack logic and prevent further authorization value guesses.

Different versions of the TPM are defined in specifications by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG)

http://www.trustedcomputinggroup.org/work-groups/trusted-platform-module/

[corsair91]

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/windows/windows-11-specifications


Some features in Windows 11 have increased requirements beyond those listed above in the minimum requirements section.

(see previous post above)


Below are some additional details regarding requirements for key features:

5G support requires 5G capable modem.

Auto HDR requires an HDR monitor.

BitLocker to Go requires a USB flash drive (available in Windows Pro and above editions).

Client Hyper-V requires a processor with second level address translation (SLAT) capabilities (available in Windows Pro and above editions).

Cortana requires a microphone and speaker and is currently available on Windows 11 for Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom and United States.

DirectStorage requires an NVMe SSD to store and run games that use the "Standard NVM Express Controller" driver and a DirectX12 GPU with Shader Model 6.0 support.

DirectX 12 Ultimate is available with supported games and graphics chips.

Presence requires sensor that can detect human distance from device or intent to interact with device.

Intelligent Video Conferencing requires video camera, microphone and speaker (audio output).

Multiple Voice Assistant (MVA) requires a microphone and speaker.

Snap three-column layouts require a screen that is 1920 effective pixels or greater in width.

Mute/Unmute from Taskbar requires video camera, microphone and speaker (audio output). App must be compatible with feature to enable global mute/unmute.

Spatial Sound requires supporting hardware and software.

Teams requires video camera, microphone and speaker (audio output).

Touch requires a screen or monitor that supports multi-touch.

Two-factor Authentication requires use of PIN, biometric (fingerprint reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities.

Voice Typing requires a PC with a microphone.

Wake on Voice requires Modern Standby power model and microphone.

Wi-Fi 6E requires new WLAN IHV hardware and driver and a Wi-Fi 6E capable AP/router.

Windows Hello requires a camera configured for near infrared (IR)
imaging or fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. Devices without biometric sensors can use Windows Hello with a PIN or portable Microsoft compatible security key.

Windows Projection requires a display adapter which supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct.

Xbox (app) requires an Xbox Live account, which is not available in all regions. See Xbox Live Countries and Regions for the most up-to-date information on availability. Some features in the Xbox app will require an active Xbox Game Pass subscription. Learn more about the pass.



Feature deprecation and removal

When upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 or when installing an update to Windows 11, some features may be deprecated or removed. Please see below for information regarding some of the key features impacted:

Cortana will no longer be included in the first boot experience or pinned to the Taskbar.

Desktop wallpaper cannot be roamed to or from device when signed in with a Microsoft account.

Internet Explorer is disabled. Microsoft Edge is the recommended replacement and includes IE Mode which may be useful in certain scenarios.

Math Input Panel is removed. Math Recognizer will install on demand and includes the maths input control and recogniser. Maths inking in apps like OneNote are not impacted by this change.

News & Interests has evolved. New functionality has been added which can be found by clicking the Widgets icon on the Taskbar.

Quick Status from the Lockscreen and associated settings are removed.

S Mode is only available now for Windows 11 Home edition.

Snipping Tool continues to be available but the old design and functionality in the Windows 10 version has been replaced with those of the app previously known as Snip & Sketch.

Start is significantly changed in Windows 11 including the following key deprecations and removals:

Named groups and folders of apps are no longer supported and the layout is not currently resizable.
Pinned apps and sites will not migrate when upgrading from Windows 10.
Live Tiles are no longer available. For glanceable, dynamic content, see the new Widgets feature.

Tablet Mode is removed and new functionality and capability is included for keyboard attach and detach postures.

Taskbar functionality is changed including:

People is no longer present on the Taskbar.
Some icons may no longer appear in the System Tray (systray) for upgraded devices including previous customisations.
Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed.
Apps can no longer customise areas of the Taskbar.

Timeline is removed. Some similar functionality is available in Microsoft Edge.

Touch Keyboard will no longer dock and undock keyboard layouts on screen sizes 18 inches and larger.

Wallet is removed.


The following apps will not be removed on upgrade but will no longer be installed on new devices or when clean-installing Windows 11. They are available for download from the Store:

3D Viewer
OneNote for Windows 10
Paint 3D
Skype

[corsair91]

https://uk.pcmag.com/migrated-3765-windows-10/134112/windows-11-will-be-a-free-upgrade-but-the-system-requirements-are-going-up

...

free upgrade this holiday season for Windows 10 PCs
so long as the hardware meets the system requirements.


perhaps the big stumbling block is the need for a security chip called
Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM), which is designed to store your login information.

Not every PC may have the chip. And if your machine does, you’ll likely need to turn it on.

The other change involves the memory.
Windows 11 requires at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of PC storage —an increase from the 1GB of RAM and 32GB of storage needed for Windows 10.

To run Windows 11, the PC needs a graphics card or CPU compatible with DirectX 12, which was launched back in 2015.
The machine also has to be connected to display with at least a 720p resolution.
In contrast, Windows 10 required a GPU compatible with at least DirectX 9 and a display with a 800 by 600 pixel screen.

The free Windows 11 upgrade roll out will continue from the holidays into 2022. So consumers won’t need to upgrade immediately.

[corsair91]

https://uk.pcmag.com/migrated-3765-windows-10/134123/to-upgrade-to-windows-11-prepare-to-dig-into-your-pcs-bios

After the Windows 11 reveal, PC users are learning a lot about a security chip called TPM 2.0, which is a necessary requirement to run the next-generation OS.

By Michael Kan
24 Jun 2021


...

the OS actually requires the PC to be installed with a relatively unknown security chip, called the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM).

The TPM 2.0 technology was released back in Oct. 2014.

only CPUs from the last five to seven years will possess the security chip.


TPM may not be mentioned at all in the BIOS. That’s because AMD refers to TPM as “fTPM” while Intel dubs the technology “IPTT,” which stands for Intel Identity Protection Technology.

On our AMD desktop rig, we found the fTPM function under the “Advanced” section. We then clicked “enabled” for the AMD fTPM switch option.

To find out if your PC has the security chip, you can go to the Windows 10 search bar and type in “tpm.msc.” If you have the chip, an option should appear that says “tpm.msc Microsoft Common Console Document.” It’ll then let you know the chip’s version, and whether it’s ready to use.



You can also learn whether your PC meets the requirements to run Windows 11 by using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app.
https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp

WindowsPCHealthCheckSetup.msi
13.4 MB

However, the app may not always be accurate. We ran it on two PCs that seemed to meet all the requirements for Windows 11, but the app flagged the machines as ineligible, without explaining why.

The other notable requirement for Windows 11 includes Secure Boot, a technology introduced in 2012.
https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/secure-boot

However, the feature is often enabled by default. You can also find it in the BIOS settings page.

[corsair91]

https://uk.pcmag.com/migrated-3765-windows-10/133968/why-im-not-excited-about-windows-11

Michael Muchmore
16 Jun 2021

..

I don’t care about rounded corners. I don’t want the Start button in the middle of the screen. I like the way the Windows 10 Taskbar is highly functional and informative, far more so than Apple’s macOS Dock—from which the leaked Windows 11 design seems to draw inspiration.

That design update (especially having the Start button in the middle) seems a direct port of the now-defunct Windows 10X, Microsoft’s Chrome OS wannabe. Is the thinking behind this move to drive users of the lightweight Chrome OS to the huge Windows 10 codebase? To me, it seems more likely to drive Windows users away. Yes, the Start button is more accessible in the middle, but I don’t want it staring me down like that. Most of the time I’ve already started my task.

And those rounded corners for windows and message boxed? They've been available on macOS since the release of Big Sur. I have nothing against them; they look nice. They just don’t affect the way I do things, so in the end, I could not care less about rounded corners.

[corsair91]

Windows 11 to Get Android Apps, Thanks to Amazon and Intel

https://uk.pcmag.com/migrated-3765-windows-10/134109/windows-11-to-get-android-apps-thanks-to-amazon-and-intel

..

However, the Android apps won’t be served through the Google Play Store. Instead, the company plans on making the programs available by adding Amazon’s Android App Store to the Microsoft Store.


(Wonder why this is not via Google Play store?
The Default Android OS app store with all the apps)





https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22546801/microsoft-windows-11-free-upgrade-details

By Tom Warren
Jun 24, 2021

see article link for screenshots



google search on say
windows 11

for further info

expect more detailed articles once reviewers get their hands on
Windows 11

[corsair91]

Microsoft unveils Windows 11 operating system

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57598554

By Zoe Kleinman
Technology reporter
24th June 2021


see article link for screenshots


Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11, its "next generation" operating system, at a virtual event.

The new software will let Android apps run on the Windows desktop.

Product manager Panos Panay promised smaller, faster security updates - a common complaint for Windows users - and said they would happen in the background.

Windows 11 will also let users configure multiple desktops for work, home, and gaming, like on a Mac.

Microsoft says there are currently about 1.3 billion devices running Windows 10.

An early preview version of the new system will be released for app developers next week.

Windows 11 will be available as a free update to existing Windows 10 users - although some devices will not have the right specifications. These include a minimum of 64 gigabytes of storage and 4 gigabytes of RAM.

One cosmetic change is putting the "Start" button at the bottom-centre of the screen rather than left-hand side.


In addition, Windows 11 will feature tighter integration with Microsoft's communications platform Teams. Xbox Games Pass, a subscription service offering access to hundreds of games, will also be pre-installed.

The tech giant said it would share more profits from its app store with creators and developers - as rival Apple continues to face challenges over its business model.

When Windows 10 launched in 2015, Microsoft said it would be the final version of the operating system. It has since announced Windows 10 will be retired in 2025.

Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella described the launch as "a major milestone in the history of Windows", but analyst Geoff Blaber from CCS Insight said he did not consider it to be "a revolutionary step".

"Windows 11 is an iterative release that pinpoints where Windows needs greater ambition, rather than introducing the sweeping changes seen with its predecessor," he said.

"The end game for Microsoft is ensuring that the step up from Windows 10 to Windows 11 provides significant enough improvements to offset any complaints."

Forrester's principal analyst JP Gownder noted that the new operating system was based on the code of Windows 10, which should prevent upgrade glitches such as those seen in the past with Windows Vista.

"These user-friendly nods to the past are a double-edged sword, though," he added.

"They're great for continuity of experience, but they make you wonder what the 11 really stands for. Is this really more of an admittedly feature-rich Windows 10 update than a full-version release?"

[corsair91]

Windows 10 to be retired in 2025, as new OS unveils
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57443598

15 June

Microsoft says it will stop supporting Windows 10 in 2025, as it prepares to unveil a major revamp of its Windows operating system later this month.

When Windows 10 was launched, Microsoft said it was intended to be the final version of the operating system.

But from 14 October 2025, there will be no new updates or security fixes for either the Home or Pro versions.

And Microsoft says its successor will represent one of the "most significant updates" to the OS in the past decade.

Its predecessor, Windows 7, was retired in 2020, although businesses could pay Microsoft to continue receiving updates for Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise.

Windows 10 was released in July 2015 and dubbed "Windows as a service", which meant the software was gradually updated at no extra charge, rather than the company releasing a new version of its OS every few years.

At the time, chief executive Satya Nadella said it marked a "new era" for personal computing.

Developer evangelist and Microsoft employee Jerry Nixon went further, describing it as "the last version of Windows".


And Mr Nadella added he was particularly "excited" by features such as digital personal assistant Cortana, which was intended to compete with Apple's Siri.

But Cortana never really took off and in April this year it was retired on mobile, focusing instead on productivity help in Windows 10, Outlook and Teams.

Also:

A month after Windows 10's release, many popular webcams stopped working, with Microsoft having to patch a bug in the way Windows encoded video
Hundreds of users complained they lost files and their emails no longer synced, and reported issues with broken wi-fi connections and printing
According to consumer watchdog Which?, some users had to pay for their computer to be repaired, while others said they felt "nagged" to upgrade by the regular alerts
A year after its release, the French data authority said Windows 10 gathered an excessive amount of personal data on users

Mr Nadella and chief product officer Panos Panay will launch the new OS at a virtual event on 24 June, with Microsoft now facing stiff competition not just from Apple but also from Google.

While PC sales still dominate - 79.4 million shipped in 2020, according to Gartner - Google's alternative is proving popular, with 11.7 million Chromebooks, which run on Google's Chrome OS, shipping in the same timeframe.

Some commentators suggest the new OS will be given a name rather than numbered 11.

Rebranding rumours aside, it is likely to include a host of new features, a more modern look and a redesigned Start menu.

[corsair91]

Farewell (again) to Microsoft's Internet Explorer
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57186266

By Zoe Kleinman
Technology reporter
20 May

Microsoft's Internet Explorer will finally be retired next year after more than 26 years of service, the tech giant says.

The veteran web browser was released with Windows 95.

It will no longer appear on consumer versions of Windows 10 after June 2022, Microsoft wrote in a blog.

The tech giant has been phasing out the old browser for several years - but in 2019 it had to issue an emergency patch for it, for security reasons.

At that point it was estimated that around 8% of people were still using it.

Its replacement, Microsoft Edge, has an Internet Explorer compatibility mode, which will continue to function.

Some very old websites - and crucially, internal company web-based tools - were built on older web technology, which modern browsers have trouble processing.

In a blog, Microsoft Edge programme manager Sean Lyndersay wrote that the newer browser was "a faster, more secure and more modern browsing experience", and was also now better able to handle older applications.

In a separate post dealing with questions, Microsoft clarified that there would be some exceptions to the retirement, including on older versions of Windows.

Between 2000 and 2005, Internet Explorer enjoyed a 90% market share (Google Chrome is the most used browser today). But in 2013 Microsoft was fined €561m ($731m; £484m at the time) for failing to promote alternative browsers within its Windows operating system.

It had introduced a "browser choice" pop-up in 2010, but the feature was dropped in an update the following year. Microsoft said this had happened by mistake.

[fleetp]

It appears that Microsoft is NOT releasing a 32 bit version of Windows 11. It seems that those of us who have a 32 bit version of Windows 10 will NOT be able to do an 'easy' upgrade, but will have to do a 'clean install'. A clean install means reloading all of the programs we have installed (Such as Sid Meiers Pirates).

[corsair91]

There are also current component shortages due to the pandemic
in particular graphics cards with increased pricing
and long lead times on availability.

Microsoft's neat plans may come undone, if people cannot
purchase new systems to the outlined Microsoft schedule timescale.

In the middle of a pandemic is no time to release a new OS
and a single year to say complete the OS upgrade is unrealistic
given the ongoing pandemic.


Other than encouraging new PC Sales, struggling to come up with a must
have option in Windows 11 so far.
I would have said a working File manager but it doesn't work properly anyway


I would be looking for increased OS Stability & Testing, a
performance increase of say a third, and reduced memory
footprint of say a third over Windows 10.
Simply increasing suggested required memory by a factor of 4
does not indicate this.


Some actual OS reviews should be interesting if only for the
marketting spin of putting lipstick on the pig.


NOT releasing a 32 bit version of Windows 11, means are people even going to bother with a new OS install along with everything else,
but probably move to new hardware whenever, they actually can source this.

[corsair91]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_Platform_Module


Microsoft Discloses TPM Chip Requirements For Windows 11

The company says it’s setting a ‘hard floor’ of TPM 1.2 in order to install the new operating system, though TPM 2.0 is recommended.

https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/microsoft-discloses-tpm-chip-requirements-for-windows-11

June 24, 2021

[Update: Microsoft Now Says TPM 2.0 Chip Is Required For Windows 11]


...

Windows 11 will only see one major feature update per year,
in contrast to the twice-a-year feature updates for Windows 10, the company disclosed.

[corsair91]

Windows 11 Supported Intel Processors List

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors


Windows 11 Supported AMD Processors List

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-amd-processors



Suggest checking OEM Computer website or motherboard
Manufacturer website Info as well


probably more what they currently have on sale now

[corsair91]

Here’s everything Microsoft is removing from Windows 11
https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22548950/microsoft-windows-11-skype-onenote-live-tiles-cortana

RIP Live Tiles
By Jay Peters
Jun 24, 2021

features that will be deprecated or removed

Cortana
Live Tiles
no more tablet mode
Only Windows 11 Home has S mode
Skype not included
OneNote not included
Paint 3D and 3D Viewer not included
(Try Microsoft Store)



Microsoft teases new File Explorer for Windows 11
https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22549050/microsoft-windows-11-file-explorer-office-ui-new-design

File Explorer is also getting a design overhaul
By Tom Warren
Jun 24, 2021



Here are the visual changes Microsoft showed off in Windows 11
https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22548895/windows-11-ui-visual-change-roundup-microsoft-upgrade

Windows 11 brings big UI changes
By Mitchell Clark
Jun 24, 2021