Insights
Insights
The next generation of Windows is coming and boasts a number of excting design changes.
When it launches, we’re expecting to see a ton of new features including an all-new layout, the ability to run widgets on your PC, and changes to Teams.
Although we’re yet to hear of an official release date, which is thought to be later on this year, Windows 11 is now available as a preview to developers.
For businesses, though, the big question is whether to upgrade. Here’s what we can expect from the new update and why it might benefit your business:
With many businesses navigating hybrid workforces, Windows 11’s updates to Microsoft Teams are likely to be the most useful of these new features. Teams is going to be more easily accessible, living in the taskbar and integrated into other apps. This simplifies multitasking and makes it easier for users to jump into a group chat or team meeting. You will also be able to mute/unmute or start presenting right from your desktop.
The Teams notification system will be more accessible too. When a notification pops up on your screen, you can reply directly inline, as well as accept or decline chats and calls.
Another feature you’ll notice immediately is the fact that the Start Menu and Task Bar are now in the middle of the display (similar to Mac) – meaning that they’ll be easier to access. If you don’t like the change, you can move the Star Menu and Task Bar back to the left of display.
Microsoft is also making translucent windows fashionable again, and it’s rounding window corners now.
While remote working has grown for businesses in the UK, so too has cybersecurity risk. With more accessing software from home or other locations outside of the workplace, cyberattacks have never been as frequent.
To combat this Windows 11 will embrace a Zero Trust framework – Microsoft say this will cover everything from the hardware chip level up to every Microsoft cloud app and service.
It will verify user identity to better safeguard access and features like hardware-based isolation, encryption, and malware prevention will all be turned on by default.
At the same time Microsoft have also announced a new security feature for Windows 10, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (formerly known as Defender ATP) will now let IT administrators see any unmanaged and unprotected devices that might be running on their networks.
Microsoft have also promised a better experience on Windows 11 for hybrid workers.
It will now remember your desktop layout once you undock from work and take your PC home. So that when you turn your PC on again, everything should be as you left it in the office – no waiting for applications to load or losing the document you were working on.
Windows 11 will also see the return of widgets. If you’re wondering how that’s a hybrid work feature, Microsoft has said it is a way to get a mental reset for stressed-out hybrid workers. Set a break time alarm or get quick access to a game or meditation app here.
Windows has always made organising app windows pretty easy, but Windows 11 will make it even easier. In Windows 11, you’ll be able to move windows into all kinds of arrangements, and even create your own custom arrangements. You’ll do this by hovering over the Maximize button. This means you could have two, three or four windows open at the same time and view them all together.
The way you can download Windows apps is changing too, with the new Microsoft Store. The Microsoft Store offers an all-new design, plus it will allow all developers to upload win32 versions of their apps.
If your PC’s are already running Windows 10, there’s a pretty good chance that they will be compatible with Windows 11.
Although Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 until 2025, it’s worth thinking about an efficient migration plan to update or retire old devices with the least amount of disruption to your business.
We can help with Windows 11 deployment or if you’d like to know about upgrading to the software, just get in touch at info@auratechnology.com.