Windows 11 first major update is coming up soon. Rumors suggest Sept 20th.
Microsoft marked its first Release Candidate of this OS update all the way back in June under the Release Preview ring. It seems that Microsoft really wanted the OS to be well tested as much as possible. Numerous updates have been released since, with lots of bug fixes. So, a good sign.
It’s been almost a year since Windows 11 was released and it’s time for its grand update. Unlike the early days of Windows 10, Microsoft has focused more on polishing the OS, and brought more Quality-of-Life improvements, rather than on new features. All-in-all, while it is mostly all small changes, all together, it really elevates Windows 11 experience.
Let’s start with the elephant of the room:
"Forced MS Linked Account on Pro edition"
What’s New?
A new Home
File Explorer now features a ‘Home’ page when you open which replaces the ‘Quick Access’. It is an evolution of Quick Access. It features the same quick access section of, well, Quick Access, but includes Your recent files accessed (including those accessed from OneDrive folder), and you can pin them in your Favorite, by simply dragging the file to the Favorites section, or right-click on the file and pick ‘Add to Favorites’.
Taskbar Drag’n Drop
Drag and drop between app via the task bar has been finally added. As before, you can just drag a file over a Task bar program to make it gain focus and drop it there.
Start Menu Customizations
The Start menu can now be customized a bit further by selecting if you want more pinned icons, and a few Recommended items, or the reverse.
The option is found under Settings > Personalization > Start
Start Menu Folders
You can now create pinned app folders like you could under Windows 10 Start menu with its Live tiles.
Just drag a pinned app on the Start menu over another pinned app on the Start menu, and a folder that can be named can be set. To add more items to the folder, simply drag and drop to the folder more pinned apps. And yes, the folders can be named.
File Explorer – Folder Content Peek
It’s baaaack! Microsoft re-introduces folder preview of files on the folder icons. Keeping with the theme of simplicity, it only shows the latest file in the folder.
Updated Task Manager – With Dark Mode Too
Don’t adjust your monitor image settings, you read that correctly. Windows 11 now has an updated Task manager:
File Explorer – Improved OneDrive Integration
Note: This applies to all folders synced with OneDrive, and the main OneDrive folder itself. Nothing shows in other places.
You can now see the update of uploads/downloads from File Explorer without having to dig the OneDrive panel.
Mica for All
Mica is the transparency effect that excludes anything behind it. It just considers the background; it is now applied to all Win32 desktop applications and Windows panels. The effect is very subtle, though.
(Legacy application from 2000)
Improved Touch Gestures
Now when you swipe up to open the Start menu, it follows your finger, and not play a generic animation. Same for all other panels and swiping under the Start menu.
Also, there is a new gesture to show the quick settings. Simply swipe up on that area of the screen:
Swipe down to dismiss.
Quick Bluetooth Management
Talking about Quick Settings, you can now easily connect/disconnect and remove Bluetooth devices from there. Similar to how Wi-Fi section works, just click on the arrow:
Color Profile Change on Quick Settings
Introduced in Windows 10, but was lost when Win11 was released, is that you can have a button to switch between your device color profiles. As you tap/click on it, it will cycle through the different supported color profiles that have been registered. Please note that this applies only to embedded display devices, not desktop displays (unless the manufacture offers drivers that will add support for this)
Cast Notification Icons
A new Cast icon will appear at the lower-left corner of the taskbar to show you are casting (WIN + K)
Windowing Improvements
Snap group thumbnail preview visuals now include the desktop wallpaper to better differentiate a window and a layout set.
Also: Improved animations transitioning between snap states:
More fluid, less janky.
Additional things:
Rotating a device between portrait and landscape orientation is now snappier and more responsive.
Reduced the number of notifications sounds that play when you connect and disconnect docks and monitors.
It is now easier to move your cursor and windows between monitors, by letting your cursor jump over areas where it would previously get stuck.
his behavior is controlled in settings with System > Display > Multiple displays > Ease cursor movement between displays.
Small changes to the snapping options under System > Multitasking to help simplify them and make them easier to understand.
Graphics Related Improvements
Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) has been improved. Currently (before this build), DRR was limited to scrolling in Office and when inking (to reduce latency) (this feature obviously applies to laptops/tablets running Windows 11 with a 120Hz or more). Now, it applies to the cursor. As you move it, it will boost to 120Hz, and drop down when you stop. This will make the system feel more responsive on those devices, Microsoft says. Edge now supports DRR feature as well.
Windows HDR Calibration app. This will allow you to improve color accuracy and consistency on your HDR display. The app can be found under the settings panel: System > Display > HDR. Download app manually: https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/windows-hdr-calibration/9N7F2SM5D1LR (HDR display required with a supported graphics card, this release of Windows 11, and HDR needs to be enabled)
Windowed Gaming Optimizations: windowed games get some love! Under System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings (under the Settings panel), you'll have the option to enable this new optimization mode. This mode adds Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate support to games running in windowed mode and reduces latency. You can also exclude some games if you have some games having issues with this feature. This of course, only affects DirectX games.
Full details here:
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/directx/updates-in-graphics-and-gaming/
Spot the Light
Spotlight arrives to your desktop. Spotlight daily background images can now be enjoyed on your desktop environment. When enabled via Settings > Personalization > Background:
You will get a desktop icon that will show, which will allow you to double-click on it, to learn more about the image, or you can right-click on it, to say if you like it or not, or change the image:
Volume / Brightness indicator – Updated Look
Yes, finally, no more metro there as well! Windows 11 now has its Volume and Brightness slider indicator have been updated. And yes, there is dark and light theme for both.
The indicator will appear at the center of the screen, above the task bar. (Now you’ll need to retrain yourself 😊)
Alt-Tab – Updated Look
Alt-Tab look got updated, and now has the glass effect background limited to the window/app selection, and no longer full screen
Input Switch – Updated Look
The language input switch panel has been updated to Windows 11 style.
This also applies to the lock screen.
Accessibility Flyout Improvement – Lock Screen – Updated Look
Talking about Lock screen, the accessibility flyout panel also got updated to Windows 11 style.
Lock Screen Media Control Player – Updated Look
The lock screen media player no longer has the Windows 10 Metro style. It has been updated to Windows 11 look.
Snap Layout (Aero Snap) – Window resizing updated
When resizing windows that have been snapped, the unfocused windows will now fade to an icon of the application like so:
Improved Snap Layouts
To improve the discoverability of the previously improved snap layouts, when you drag a window to the top middle of the screen, you'll have the option you normally have when you roll over the "maximize/restore" button. This also makes it easier to do on a touch focused device.
Notice also the improved animation of the Snap Assist feature.
Global Mic Mute – Keyboard shortcut and on-screen notification
When using the global microphone mute button (apps needs to support it), you can mute/unmute via the keyboard shortcut WIN + ALT + K, and a pop-up status will show:
Focus Mode / Do not Disturb - Reworked
Microsoft ‘re-imagined’ Focus and Do not Disturb mode.
Do Not Disturb
From the Notification Center, you can now easily enable "Do not disturb", which will mute notifications from popping up, and will directly show up in the Notification Center list.
Under Settings > System > Notifications, you can setup rules to turn it on automatically, similarly to "Focus assist" feature that we have now (well... prior now)
Focus Mode
When you open the Notification Center, you'll have the option to start a focus session for a period of time that you can define.
When enabled:
Taskbar badging will turn off
Flashing of applications in the taskbar will turn off
A timer will appear on screen
'Do not disturb' feature will turn on
You can also set a Focus Session with Music (more on that later).
Voice Access – Accessibility
Control your system via your voice. Settings > Accessibility > Speech
Once enabled, you can use the keyboard shortcut Alt + Shift + C and Alt + Shift + B to enable voice listening or not, and control the system, or you can say “Voice access wake up” or “Unmute”, and the reverse “Voice access sleep”, “Mute”. The list of commands is long, and worth reading the full documentation if you are in the need of such feature. But some basic commands are: “Open <app name>”, “Switch to…”, “Minimize ….”, “Right-click ….”, “Scroll down”, “Press <key combination or key name>”.
You can also split an app into quadrants to help focus better on an area or show the numbers for all elements on the screen that can be interacted.
Voice Typing Improvements
Voice typing has been improved with anew navigational commands.
It can now handle "Enter", "Backspace", "Space", "Tab" actions by saying them when needed based on the program you are using.
System Wide Close Caption – Accessibility
Windows 11 introduces a system wide close caption that works on everything coming out from your audio source. You’ll get a top bar on the screen where you’ll see text being live captioned.
To turn on this feature: Settings > Accessibility > Caption, and turn on Live captions
Narrator
New male natural voice called Guy.
Windows Update
Windows Update can adapt to your energy grid to reduce carbon footprint.
Basically, it will attempt to schedule update installations at specific times of day when doing so results in lower carbon emissions.
Of course, this doesn't apply if you manually check for updates.
To do this, Microsoft will use the data it partnered up with: electricityMap and WattTime.
In my case, it is 100% renewable (Hydro), so I guess it will update whenever it feels like, as before.
Power Saving
Windows will now have more aggressive power saving settings by default compared to before to save power when the system is idle.
Networking
TKIP and WEP are deprecated security standards and Windows 11 will no longer allow connections to those types starting with this build.
Windows 11 Home will no longer enable SMB1 by default. If you have it enabled right now, it will remain so. (If I am not mistaken, this was the last remaining edition of Windows with it that was enabled).
Input
Touch screen keyboard, in it's small layout, now has an IME On/Off key (Japanese, Korean, and Chinese Traditional IMEs)
Some Emoji have been updated to better fit Windows 11 style further
Additional kaomoji were added
Hungarian for handwriting support has been added
Settings
Size of the icons in the Settings navigation pane have been increased to be easier to see.
Storage Sense will now be enabled by default for new accounts (and new installs). You can turn it off under: Settings > System > Storage
Settings Time & Language category and Date & time page to now include a live digital clock and information about currently selected option.
Updated the design of Network & Internet > Dial-up when you have a connection set up to align with the overall design of Settings in Windows 11.
Adjustments were done to Settings > Personalization > Fonts to improve the design of the page, including the drag-and-drop area for installing fonts is now larger.
Windows Sandbox
Aligning with Hyper-V behavior, even if you’re not in full screen mode, modifier keys and shortcuts will now be intercepted by Windows Sandbox if the window has focus.
It also now supports basic environment variable usage like %USERPROFILE% inside in mapped folder paths.
It now support mapped folders now support relative paths
Security
Smart App Control (SAC) is a new security feature part of Windows Security/Defender where when enabled it can block untrusted or potentially dangerous applications.
Microsoft notes that this feature can only be enabled on Windows devices that have performed a clean install with the latest Insider Preview build.
Microsoft says:
Print Queue Panel
The print queue panel is a new panel which shows what is being sent to your printer and its status.
New GPO's:
Disable Quick Settings flyout
Disable Notification Center and calendar flyouts
Disable all taskbar settings
Disable search (across Start & taskbar)
Hide Task View from taskbar
Block customization of ‘Pinned’ in Start
Hide ‘Recommended’ in Start
Disable Start context menus
Hide ‘All apps’ in Start
(They may be others, please consult a more IT focused document)
Nearby Share - Improved
The feature has now been improved with UDP support, and not longer Bluetooth exclusive.
Also, when you use the Share feature (right-click on a file > Share), you’ll have shareable system nearby listed:
In Box App Updates
In-box apps of Windows got updated, 2 got removed, and a new 1 was also introduced:
(Please note that because they are delivered separately, you may already have access to them or have them available)
Media Player
This app replaces both: Groove Music and Movies & TV. This means that they are no longer included in Windows 11 when you do a clean install. It also aims to replace the classic Windows Media Player 12 introduced all the back in Windows 7.
Like Groove Music it allows you to view your albums and music in similar fashion, this was not lost.
CD Audio support is present, INCLUDING CD Audio Ripping. Supported formats: AAC, WMA, FLAC, and ALAC.
Video playback, with the same codec supported is still present
And yes, EQ control is there:
As well as Speed control
And Video color adjustment controls:
Sound Recorder
Replaces Voice Recorder.
The recorder brings wave form presentation, and the ability to add mark points for you to help refer back to. No, it’s not Audacity, just a basic, but more useful, voice recorder
Clock
Remember Focus Assist I mentioned before, with Music playback support, well it goes hand-in-hand with the new Clock app with Spotify integration, as well as Microsoft To Do integration.
You can sign-in to your Spotify account to have quick access to shortcuts and focus playlists from Spotify, and music will play when you start your focus session. Break can also be defined from there. Your To Do list appears as daily Tasks, which can be added from the same Clock app, and can be checked.
Clipchamp - New App
A new video editor app that is more involved and feature rich then Photo editor video editor, with video templates which you can generate (type in text and it will generate a clip that you can insert), it includes sample clips both video and audio which you can use in your work for personal and commercial purposes, define your own template via “Brand kit” to help ensure that all your videos matches the same style. You have slideshow, text overlay, quote animations, social handles animations and lots more. It is of course, not a professional video editor. Simplicity of use is the main focus.
The app has 2 plans: Free and paying one.
Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA)
Note: Not all features listed here might be delivered on day 1 of this release. WSA has a different release schedule, and its own Insider program.
Lots of improvements are being presented for this feature. Including but not limited to:
· Android OS updated to: Android 12.1 / 12L with Chromium WebView 100
· Performance improvements
· Networking improvements
· VPN support
· Scrolling and navigation
· Redesigned UX WSA settings panel and diagnostics data viewer added
· Simpleperf CPU profiler recording support
· Windows taskbar now shows which Android apps are using microphone and location
· Windows taskbar now shows which Android apps are using microphone and location
· Hardware video decoding support (VP8, VP9 and H.264)
· Mail integration with Windows email clients and Android app.
· Compatibility for games with joysticks (mapped to WASD)
· Compatibility for gamepad in games
· Compatibility for aiming in games with arrow keys
· Compatibility for sliding in games with arrow keys
Now available to more regions:
Andorra
Austria
Belgium
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Guernsey
Ireland
Isle of Man
Italy
Japan
Jersey
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Monaco
San Marino
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
Vatican City / Holy See
Download
Official ISO (English US x64):
https://software.download.prss.microsoft.com/dbazure/Win11_22H2_English_x64.iso?t=a4e5c695-01df-4294-9ebc-683ed65ebb75&e=1663775373&h=0d52cc56f1c271a4bde785b34ba593abd229b071d97923b0d7d0d9bc1fd52244
Update Assistance and Media Creation Tool:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
What do you consider bare minimum? I have 11gbs and vram and I never really use it at all in the 3 years of using the pc. Also its been heavy use I don't have a life.....
Id also agree I have one and a buddy of mine has one. Everyone that deals with noctua becomes a fan boy when installing their product. Its actually amazing how well the cooler works on my 3950x. Mind you I don't even have both fans running on the cooler and it still beats every other AIO I've used. Both AIO's were from corsair one was a 240mm other was a 140mm. Also air cooling is easier to fix if it ever breaks.
Lucky you I am a engineer too. you must go with the components I chosen without any doubt.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/vh7Gfv
Its over 80 times better than the build you chosen.
Please go with those components only.
Please like my answer if you like it😊
Am i really the only person who thinks this oversized gameboy advance is ridiculously overhyped? Linus even went as far as saying it's the most innovative computer in 20 years. For me this whole mobile gaming thing doesn't really have any appeal. Either i'm out and about doing god knows what, but not gaming or i'm at home where i have my desktop. And i've personally never seen a person holding a nintendo switch in public transport, in a park etc. so it seems most of these are also used as home consoles as the major usecase, not as mobile gaming devices. The Deck will likely end up more as a cheap entry-level gaming PC people use at home than as a mobile gaming device imo. I don't get why everyone treats this thing as a new invention tbh.
One thing that bugs me especially: I'm pretty sure every time Linus sees a display performing so bad (color performance - especially sRGB coverage) he would hate it. Yet somehow it's fine in this device. Pretty much every CHEAP ENTRY LEVEL monitor can cover 99% of the sRGB color space nowadays, so that indicates the deck really uses a very low-quality IPS panel. Now yes, i'm a display enthusiast and i'm used to very good displays myself so my expectations might be higher than the average user. But still, the display they use is simply terrible by today's standards. And as the OLED switch shows us, there are really good displays available for these devices without breaking the bank.
Yah but people also never want to point out the fact that you are paying with your time as well. Time is the most valuable thing someone can have so that should be said. Yes I understand that giving your time to something doesnt feed anyone but again people really love to over look that.
Id also agree I have one and a buddy of mine has one. Everyone that deals with noctua becomes a fan boy when installing their product. Its actually amazing how well the cooler works on my 3950x. Mind you I don't even have both fans running on the cooler and it still beats every other AIO I've used. Both AIO's were from corsair one was a 240mm other was a 140mm. Also air cooling is easier to fix if it ever breaks.
Part non-techie, part general idiot.
So I have health class this year.
And my teacher
NEVER
MOVES
THE
FREAKING
MOUSE
OFF
OF
THE
YOUTUBE
THING
EVER
IT HAS BEEN A MONTH NOW
AND SHE STILL DOESN'T
ONE OF US ALWAYS HAS TO MOVE IT
EVERY SINGLE TIME
Like how
Does she watch YouTube like that? She is in her 50's but she clearly knows how to use a computer.
So for our first summative (assignment that influences grade) we had to pick one of our favorite songs and then analyze influences in the lyrics.
I listen to a total of two (2) songs with lyrics.
BIG SHOT, by Toby Fox, and Last Song - Ending Version, by ryo (supercell).
I chose BIG SHOT since I listen to it more and I grab the generally accepted lyrics off the Internet (if you've listened to it, you know that it's quite garbled).
What I end up putting on the sheet:
And I mention on the sheet "The lyrics are quite garbled and this is the general consensus as to what they say. We're (the Deltarune community) not entirely sure.
And this is what she says in response:
Lady.
You have Google.
Look something up once in your life. If you Google "Deltarune" it says "Video game" on the sidebar.
IT'S NOT HARD.
I haven't implied anyone has made that accusation, you're just insinuating that to not answer my questions. I'm merely pointing out that functional impact is not the defining factor of whether x = y or not. Fact is piracy and ad blocking are not exactly the same thing. They don't happen for the same reasons, they don't violate the same laws (in fact, the latter doesn't violate any laws), they don't have the same impact on the creators of their respective media and it's just a transparent attempt to guilt his viewers into whitelisting his ads and listening to his sponsor segments. He obviously has the right to do so. But I find the choice of words and the very specific comparison which really doesn't pass the smell test in the slightest fascinating.
Ah yes, the classic "I'm going to repeat my previous statement without qualification and pretend like it's a universal, self-evident truth". Yeah no, not letting you off the hook that easily. You either concede the point or actually answer my question. It's easy to demand of others to elaborate their reasoning when you close up the second you notice you've run up against something where you have to elaborate your own reasoning and ostensibly can't come up with a decent argument. That's typically also when people start out wheeling the ad hominems. And oh look, it's in there, in your first sentence.
Ah, there we have it, the tired old "piracy is theft" argument. I'm not even going to dignify it because 1) at this point it should be clear why it's a flawed comparison and 2) you didn't bother replying to my question, so why should I put in the effort?
But you know what, I actually intended to put this in my previous comment and decided against it because it wasn't pertinent to the topic. But hell, let's do this: I don't object to ads just because I hate ads in general. I do, but that's not the only reason. Ads have made the internet a worse place overall. And this idea that you're pushing that blocking ads hurts the internet is so laughably nonsensical that I thank you for making me breathe slightly harder out of my nostrils for a second there. The fact that pretty much the majority of the internet is run on the backs of advertising companies makes this notion even more hilarious. Google and Facebook are literally ruining the planet, their incentive structures facilitate massive disinformation and propaganda campaigns that have plunged multiple countries to vote in fascist governments and downplay the pandemic, killing hundreds of thousands of people. To give either of those companies an inch and watching their ads so some YouTuber can make a living is an affront to everything I believe in. Yeah, go on, make fun of me for pretending that my reasons for blocking ads are so pretentiously high-minded, but seriously - and I take the liberty of also engaging in ad hominems this once just to even the score - you should really start using your brain and explore topics under a broader lens than just if your favorite YouTuber gets to buy a new mansion off of your ad revenue.
How is me choosing to block ads equivalent with me expecting the content for free? And no, just because they have a voluntary way for me to pay them to not show me ads doesn't mean that I have to ignore the alternative. You should really stop putting words into my mouth. I don't pretend that I have the high ground. I object to being called immoral over blocking ads.
Taking candy from a Halloween bowl neither deprives people after me nor the people offering the candy of their income. At best those after me have no more candy and those offering it have no idea I took everything. This is why it's a false equivalence. You should just drop this line of reasoning entirely, it's a bad simile.
And? You seem to be under the impression that I care when I specifically pointed out that I don't. Nobody is owed success. I don't owe Linus anything for watching his content. You can call me out if and when he pulls his content from YouTube and you see me complaining that he should still provide his content to me free of charge like I'm owed it. But until that point arrives, I refute this idea that the audience needs to be chastised for not being good little children and disabling adblock so that daddy Linus can keep producing content.