The Top 5 Windows 11 Features are:
Microsoft built Windows 11 on the same foundation as Windows 10. The same concepts exist and there have not been a lot of major changes. We all get a little nervous when Microsoft comes out with a new version of Windows because of its history with releasing Operating Systems that have failed, like Windows ME, Windows Vista, and Windows 8. Windows 11 however, is promising. It is very similar to Windows 10 and has added some features that are focused on driving productivity and security.
The major change in Windows Security going from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is the requirement of the TPM chip. Windows is forcing the requirement on end users because it sees a future where passwords are no longer used in the traditional way we have come to know them. Authentication security follows the multi-factor authentication principle, which is something we know (password), something we are (face, finger print, retina) and/or something we have (physical key or mobile phone). Microsoft is requiring the TPM chip because it will encrypt facial recognition data for authentication at logon, in a much more secure way than it had previously encrypted passwords. The TPM chip is a special chip that has its own highly sophisticated encryption algorithm. It should be noted that Windows Hello is available on Windows 10, but the encryption requirements are not the same, thus the requirement for the TPM chip in Windows 11.
Microsoft Teams is being rolled out with Windows 11 as a chat application. Microsoft Teams gives you the ability to chat, make video and audio calls, and scheduling meetings. This version of Microsoft Teams is only meant for personal use. There is a commercial version of Microsoft Teams meant for professional use which provides more features and functionality.
This is an extension of the already existent Your Phone app in Windows 10. Your Phone gives you the ability to make and receive calls from your PC, view your photos, and text. Android Apps gives you the ability to run Android apps and games on Windows 11. The only catch for now is that Windows 11 only supports the Amazon app store. Google Play is available through Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), but it’s a separate package that needs to be downloaded and installed.
The Virtual Desktop features gives the user the ability to add a new desktop. Multiple desktops can be created to serve the needs of work, home, school, or otherwise. Each desktop can be named and customized with its own background. Opening a new desktop is like starting with a clean slate. None of the application windows that were open on the previous desktop come over to the new desktop unless you specify. It can be a great way to manage unrelated activities or situations such as having a desktop focused on school and having another desktop focused on work.
Typing may never go away, but Microsoft has made some major improvements to the dictation capabilities within Windows 11 to make it more competitive. Grammar has been added to automatically add punctuation and capitalization within sentences. This is an improvement even compared to modern iOS devices, where you still need to specify where a period should go when dictating for example a text message. This is a good feature enhancement that will get more use from end users.
Windows Snap
The one that didn’t make it on the Top 5 Windows 11 features is Snap. Snap is a minor innovation and feature upgrade to the existing Snap that has been around since Windows 7. With Snap, you have the ability to snap windows to more places, and with PowerTools, you can customize those places. It wasn’t added to the Top 5 list however, since it was the most minor feature innovation and
The top five Windows 11 features are good enhancements from Windows 10. It is good that Microsoft stuck with the tried and true method of product innovation with Windows 11. By sticking to the core strengths of Windows and adding features that bring value, Windows 11 is a good release of the next generation of Windows operating systems.