Microsoft Windows version history: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:51, 9 January 2024

Revision as of 02:57, 16 January 2024

Line 479:

{{Main|Windows 11}}

Windows 11 is the latest release of Windows NT, and the successor to Windows 10. It was unveiled on June 24, 2021, and was released on October 5,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Windows 11 release date: Here's when Microsoft's new OS comes out|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/windows-11-release-date-heres-when-microsofts-new-os-comes-out/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=CNET|language=en}}</ref> serving as a free to compatible Windows 10 devices. The system incorporates a renewed interface called "Mica", which includes translucent backgrounds, rounded edges and color combinations. The taskbar's icons are center aligned by default, while the Start menu replaces the "Live Tiles" with pinned apps and recommended apps and files. The MSN widget panel, the Microsoft Store, and the file browser, among other applications, have also been redesigned. However, some features and programs such as Cortana, Internet Explorer (replaced by Microsoft Edge as the default web browser) and Paint 3D were removed. Apps like 3D Viewer, Paint 3D, Skype and OneNote for Windows 10 can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Microsoft}}</ref> Windows 11 includes compatibility with Android applications; the Amazon Appstore is included in Windows Subsystem for Android. Windows 11 received a positive reception from critics. While it was praised for its redesigned interface, and increased security and productivity, it was criticized for its high system requirements (which includes an installed [[Trusted Platform Module|TPM 2.0]] chip, enabling the [[Secure Boot]] protocol, and [[UEFI]] firmware) and various UI changes and regressions (such as requiring a Microsoft account for first-time setup, preventing users from changing default browsers, and inconsistent dark theme) compared to Windows 10.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=June 29, 2021 |title=Windows 11 Will Leave Millions of PCs Behind, And Microsoft is Struggling to Explain Why |url=https://theverge.com/2021/6/29/22555371/microsoft-windows-11-cpu-support-hardware-requirements-tpm-response |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713100735/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/29/22555371/microsoft-windows-11-cpu-support-hardware-requirements-tpm-response |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |access-date=July 17, 2021 |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=Vox Media |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=October 4, 2021 |title=Windows 11 review: a familiar home that's still being renovated |url=https://www.theverge.com/22708762/microsoft-windows-11-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004234808/https://www.theverge.com/22708762/microsoft-windows-11-review |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Muchmore |first1=Michael |title=The 10 Worst Things About Windows 11 |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-10-worst-things-about-windows-11 |website=PC Mag |access-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211152959/https://uk.pcmag.com/migrated-3765-windows-10/137593/the-10-worst-things-about-windows-11 |archive-date=2021-12-11 |date=2021-12-09}}</ref>

Windows 11 is the next generation release of Windows NT, and the successor to Windows 10. Codenamed "Sun Valley", it was unveiled on June 24, 2021, and was released on October 5, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Windows 11 release date: Here's when Microsoft's new OS comes out|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/windows-11-release-date-heres-when-microsofts-new-os-comes-out/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=CNET|language=en}}</ref> It is distributed for free to all Windows 10 users with compatible PCs via a Windows Update. Microsoft's PC Health Check App lets you check compatibility for your PC. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 will be released for newer PCs first and then the initial release will continue till mid-2022. Windows 11 revamps the GUI and brings modern code, thus making it much faster than Windows 10. It is also noted that Windows 11 updates are significantly compressed, so the updates are downloaded faster. Also, Windows 11 does not show signs of the 'Installing Updates' screen while installing updates during 'Update and Restart' phase, thus finishing updates within 5 minutes.

The system incorporates a renewed interface called "Mica", which includes translucent backgrounds, rounded edges and color combinations. The taskbar and the Start Menu have been redesigned and for the first time it is possible to place the icons in the center of the bar. The MSN widget panel, the Microsoft Store, and the file browser, among other applications, have also been redesigned. However, some features and programs such as Cortana, Internet Explorer and Paint 3D were removed. Apps like 3D Viewer, Paint 3D, Skype and OneNote for Windows 10 can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Microsoft}}</ref> It is expected that it will soon include compatibility with Android applications. It is worth noting the increase in requirements compared to its predecessors, requiring a minimum of 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of free space and a [[TPM 2.0 Reference Implementation|TPM 2.0]] security chip, besides losing official compatibility with [[Kaby Lake|7th generation Intel Core processors]], 1st generation [[AMD Ryzen]], and earlier. In addition to this, it is the first version of Windows that only supports 64-bit processors.

===Stable releases===

Line 497 ⟶ 495:

|[[Windows 11, version 23H2|23H2]]

|}

*'''Version 21H2''', codenamed "Sun Valley", was the initial version of Windows 11 released on October 5, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2021/10/04/windows-11-a-new-era-for-the-pc-begins-today|title=Windows 11: A new era for the PC begins today|date=October 4, 2021|work=Windows Experience Blog|access-date=October 4, 2021|archive-date=October 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004201814/https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2021/10/04/windows-11-a-new-era-for-the-pc-begins-today|url-status=live}}</ref>

*'''Version 21H2''', codenamed 21H2 and formerly ''Sun Valley'', was the initial version of Windows 11 released on October 5, 2021.

*'''Version 22H2''', announced as the ''Windows 11 2022 Update'', codenamed "Sun Valley 2", was released on September 20, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2022/09/20/how-to-get-the-windows-11-2022-update|title=How to get the Windows 11 2022 Update|date=September 20, 2022|work=Windows Experience Blog|access-date=September 20, 2022}}</ref> Features in this Windows 11 version include an updated, UWP version of the [[Task Manager]] and the Smart App Control feature within the Windows Security app. This version has had three major updates, with features including tabbed browsing in the File Explorer,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2022/10/18/making-the-everyday-easier-with-new-experiences-available-in-windows-11|title=Making the everyday easier with new experiences available in Windows 11|date=October 18, 2022|work=Windows Experience Blog|access-date=October 18, 2022}}</ref> iOS support for the Phone Link app,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2023/02/28/introducing-a-big-update-to-windows-11-making-the-everyday-easier-including-bringing-the-new-ai-powered-bing-to-the-taskbar|title=Introducing a big update to Windows 11 making the everyday easier including bringing the new AI-powered Bing to the taskbar|date=February 28, 2023|work=Windows Experience Blog|access-date=February 28, 2023}}</ref> [[Bluetooth Low Energy]] audio support,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2023/05/23/announcing-new-windows-11-innovation-with-features-for-secure-efficient-it-management-and-intuitive-user-experience|title=Announcing new Windows 11 innovation, with features for secure, efficient IT management and intuitive user experience|date=May 23, 2023|work=Windows Experience Blog|access-date=May 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/help/5027423|title=May 24, 2023—Windows configuration update|website=Microsoft Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> and a preview of [[Microsoft Copilot]] within Windows.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2023/09/26/the-most-personal-windows-11-experience-begins-rolling-out-today|title=The most personal Windows 11 experience begins rolling out today|date=September 26, 2023|work=Windows Experience Blog|access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/help/5030509|title=September 26, 2023—Windows configuration update|website=Microsoft Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref>

*'''Version 22H2''', announced as the ''Windows 11 2022 Update'', codenamed 22H2, was released on September 20, 2022.

*'''Version 23H2''', announced as the ''Windows 11 2023 Update'', codenamed 23H2"Sun Valley 3", was released on October 31, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2023/10/31/how-to-get-the-windows-11-2023-update|title=How to get the Windows 11 2023 Update|date=October 31, 2023|work=Windows Experience Blog|access-date=October 31, 2023}}</ref>

==See also==