Is Windows 11 Coming? What do we know?

At the Microsoft Build 2021, Satya Nadela, CEO of Microsoft hinted towards the biggest update for Windows of the last decade. He said that he has been using it for a few months and is really excited about the next generation of Windows.

The word "next generation of Windows" has stuck with people. Even though Microsoft clearly stated that Windows 10 will be the last version of Windows, but that was back in 2015. So is Windows 11 finally coming?

Microsoft can be calling it Windows 11 or the New Windows but there are 3 major changes that are coming: The New UI, New Features and the New Store.

The New UI

The next generation of Windows has been making the headlines as the Windows "Sun Valley" update. This update is supposed to bring a UI that is more refined and more modern. First, there will be modern icons everywhere. Windows 10 has already brought a number of modern icons but "Sun Valley" will bring modern icons for every app and software. Microsoft is also getting rid of the icons that have been part of Windows since the '95 version. The file explorer will also have more modern looking icons. The new Windows is also set to have rounded corners everywhere. Be it the start menu icons, context menu or even app outlines.

Since a new version is coming, there will probably be a new start menu. Microsoft is planning on doing away with the light tiles menu and going for a more Windows 10x start kind of a look with bigger app icons and quick access to files. Another big change in Windows "Sun Valley" is said to be a floating taskbar menu. This means that it will be separated from the taskbar. Another contribution from Windows 10x would be the action centre. The action centre is set to come out in the new "Sun Valley" update as well.

New Features in the Windows Update

Apart from the UI changes, the new Windows update will also bring a lot of features with it. You will now be able to separate Windows Edge tabs from app windows in regular assist view. Moreover, snap assist will remember which app is snapped where. This will be helpful for people using large displays and multiple monitor setup.

The battery page is also getting better. It will now show you which apps are taking the most battery. It will also show you the timeline of your battery draining. Microsoft also seems to be working on the task behaviour with a new layout for that as well. It will give you an overview of your Microsoft emails, upcoming events, to-dos, etc.

Windows is also bringing a new News and interest feed on the taskbar. It gives you the option of hovering over a story and react accordingly. Like Facebook reacts.

New Store

The upcoming Windows will also bring a new and revised new store for the users. It comes with a completely new UI. Along with that the new policies are also very interesting. The developers, now, will be allowed to submit unpackaged Win32 apps to the store. Adding to that, developers can now host apps and updates on their own content delivery network(CDN).  The develops will also be allowed to use third-party commerce platforms in apps.

This means that a lot of the apps that are not available on the Windows store like the Adobe Suite, Chrome, Firefox, etc. might now be seen in with the latest Windows Update.

This is all we know about the new Windows Update but there will be more for the users. The refreshed UI is a good place to start because the UI had started to become more stagnant. There is a possibility that Microsoft might not call it Windows 11 but rather remove the number altogether and call it the "New Windows".