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Jim Salter-June 24, 2021 at 6:07 PM UTC

Earlier this morning, we formally learned about Windows 11 for the first time through Microsoft's What's New For Windows event. The new operating system has made several major functional changes to what we have become accustomed to in Windows 10-it's not just a new layer of paint on the old operating system.

However, Windows 11 did get a new level. Its new desktop environment makes extensive use of translucent window decorations with rounded corners, an effect reminiscent of frosted glass panes. In many ways, the new look is reminiscent of the compiz-based Linux desktop environment around 2010-but the resolution is significantly higher and the overall theme is more coherent.

Panos Panay, Microsoft’s chief product officer, linked the new look to a shocking statement about emotions: “We understand the responsibility of [functionality and usability] more than ever before, but it must also be personal— Perhaps most importantly, it must make people feel emotional."

We suspect that anyone except Panay will be confused by the new look-but the ubiquitous translucent borders do reassure users that their real work is still there, unaffected, located in pop-up elements (such as new personality) Summary of small widgets).

Earlier versions of Windows tried to bring news feeds directly into the "Start" menu-a feature that few Windows users seem to like, and many people completely hate it. Microsoft apparently heard the latter's voice, but the company is still reluctant to give up its source of news outside the browser. In Windows 11, the news feed has been broken down into a separate dialog box, similar to (but not part of) the actual Start menu.

Panay once again fell into "emotion" when describing the new start menu and the separate news source-"This is what you need, closer to you, simplified," he said of the new start menu in the center. The new start menu uses the space previously occupied by news source tiles to provide access to recently used documents and applications. "Details are important," Panay said of the new menu, and then said, "It is these details that allow you to enter that emotional space... to complete the work you need to complete."

The separate news sources (opened from the left in Panay's demo) are actually those missing Metro style tiles, now referred to by the more industry-standard term "widgets", and the search bar installed at the top has been added. "How it all fits together is to bring you an incredible sense of peace," Panay gushed.

Before handing it over to Carmen Zlateff, Director of Microsoft Partners, Panay spent some time detailing why Windows 11 is "beautiful inside." This mainly means checking the performance improvements in Windows-unfortunately, we don't have a specific measurement standard.

As important as this list of improvements sounds, unfortunately, Panay did not cover them in detail. We don't know why "browsing on any browser is faster", or why Windows 11 should be considered "the safest Windows to date".

Zlateff introduced two major new Windows task management and switching functions: snapshot layout and virtual desktop. Anyone who has tried tiled desktop environments will be familiar with capture layouts-they are equivalent to a way to capture multiple applications into a fixed, screen-efficient tiled layout.

The tiling implementation of Windows 11 looks smart, and Zlateff says it is directly related to screen orientation and resolution. The user can select a layout, and then drag the application to the fixed border provided by the layout-we see a choice of six available layouts, each of which supports 2 to 6 window positions.

Based on the snapshot layout, Zlateff shows snapshot groups-these application groups have been aligned in a tiled layout, and can be called up or delivered from the taskbar as a group. Linux users among you may think, "So, the snapshot group is Microsoft's view of virtual desktops"-but Windows 11 also supports Linux-style complete virtual desktops as a separate feature. (For non-Linux readers: a virtual desktop is a separate "screen" full of applications; clicking a "screen" button will completely clear the monitor and load the window collection of that "screen".)

With a single click on the taskbar, new capture groups can be selected, just like raising and lowering individual applications-right next to the individual applications themselves, they can also be raised and lowered together with the group. Zlateff describes this ability to switch between individual applications or "entire projects" as something that can only be done on Windows.

Finally, support for docking and disconnecting laptops seems to have been greatly improved. Zlateff demonstrated that when the second external monitor of the laptop is removed, the application rearranges itself into a single-monitor layout. But more importantly, the Zlateff display application is completely restored after reconnecting the monitor.

Microsoft communications manager Phillip McClure introduced the updated input mode of Windows 11. He said: "Windows without a keyboard [11] will adapt to you, not the other way around." This translates to a large touch target and subtlety to a large extent. Visual cues make the tablet mode on McClure's two-in-one touch-screen laptops easier to use, but will not significantly change the look and feel of Windows itself.

Windows 11 alternate input features include:

McClure also brought us back to the AI-driven widget feed. In a short presentation, he told us that the clear separation between the news feed and the actual application allows him to "check the content without interfering with the workflow."

Sarah Bond, Director of Game Creator Experience, outlined several new game-related features in Windows 11:

The game can be purchased directly through the Xbox app-this seems to be directly aimed at Valve's Steam platform, with similar appearance and functions.

According to Panay, the new and improved Microsoft Store for Windows 11 is "rebuilt from the ground up," making it easier for developers to host and sell Win32 applications, progressive web applications, and universal Windows platform applications.

Microsoft is also changing the financial terms of its stores-Panay described the remodeled store as providing developers with an "industry-leading revenue share." Interestingly, he also ridiculed the ability to "bring your own business engine"-although not detailing how to integrate with the store-and added that developers who use their own business engine do not need to share any revenue with Microsoft.

Finally—perhaps the most exciting—the newly revamped Microsoft Store provides access to Android applications. Panay described the Android environment as powered by Intel bridge technology and showed that multiple applications (including TikTok) worked perfectly in windows in the shape of mobile phones and tablets.

The Android application itself "can be found through the Microsoft Store using the Amazon App Store." This accessibility is demonstrated by the same app store as the one you see on the Fire HD tablet, which has been redesigned for Windows 11 integration.

Developers interested in the new app store update can participate in the Microsoft Store in-depth discussion later today at 3 pm EST.

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