Preface#
Let’s rewind to eight years ago, on October 1, 2014, when another epoch-making operating system appeared — Windows 10. At that time, Microsoft officially released the first preview version of Windows 10, completely abandoning the design style of Windows Vista since 2005, as well as the colorful design that had been used since Windows 95 in 1995, adopting a brand new Fluent Design. This new design heralded the arrival of a new era — the flat era.
On July 29, 2015, after the release of the first official version of Windows 10, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 would be its last Windows operating system. However, six years later, in June 2021, Microsoft announced at the Build Developer Conference that it would unveil the "Next generation of Windows" on June 24, 2021.
On that day, we saw the brand new Windows — Windows 11! But why did Microsoft choose to break its promise and release a completely new Windows? Besides the immense popularity of Windows, there is a bigger reason — a new era has arrived once again.
Installing Windows 11#
Among the series of upgrade requirements for Windows 11, one prominent requirement stands out — TPM 2.0.
Aside from the TPM 2.0 requirement, the other requirements are relatively easy for computers from ten years ago to meet. However, the TPM 2.0 requirement has blocked old computers from automatically and smoothly upgrading to Windows 11. But no worries, you can manually install Windows 11 through a PE system, although this comes at the cost of data loss.
Experience with Windows 11#
Speed#
The first impression after using Windows 11 is fast!
After replacing with a brand new SSD and installing Windows 11, from pressing the power button to UEFI booting and then to the Windows 11 logo and finally entering the system, it took no more than 15 seconds!
On the same computer, under Windows 10, launching Visual Studio Code takes 5-10 seconds, while Windows 11 only takes about 1 second.
Input Method#
On Windows 11, Microsoft has also improved the input method, which has a more appealing design compared to Windows 10, along with higher performance.
Although it still cannot match the excellent algorithms of mainstream input methods, it is already considered a sub-mainstream product. More importantly, it is built-in and does not require additional downloads.
Microsoft Edge#
In addition to the input method, the newly built-in Microsoft Edge in Windows 11 is perhaps one of the most popular browsers. It offers a different experience with rounded menus, semi-transparent acrylic materials, Fluent Design, a Chromium engine, cross-device bookmark syncing, and a series of features that make Microsoft Edge on PC competitive with, if not surpassing, Chrome.
Additionally, it is compatible with the Internet Explorer engine, allowing access to certain special websites.
Fluent Design Extension#
After the release of Fluent Design in 2017, it was first used in Windows 10. In Windows 11, it has seen new developments, adjusting the transparency of acrylic materials further, reducing the transparency effect, which not only lessens computational pressure but also allows us to focus on the content itself rather than a more dazzling background.
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Fully Rounded Corners, Simplified Right-Click#
In addition to the changes in Fluent Design, the biggest change in Windows 11 is the fully rounded corner design and the simplification of the right-click menu. The former makes Windows 11 feel less rigid and gives it a lively rounded feel, while the latter addresses years of accumulated issues.
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After simplifying the right-click menu, to maintain compatibility with old functions, clicking on Show more options reveals the full menu, which can be considered Microsoft's optimal solution for the right-click menu in Windows 11.
Full Version of Windows 11 Right-Click Menu
Clipboard and Emoji Panel#
These two features were already added in Windows 10's 18H, but there haven’t been many changes since then. Since it’s Windows 11, improvements to this panel were necessary. The panel has also been rounded and adapted to the design improvements, with its biggest change being the integration of the clipboard, emoji panel, mathematical symbols panel, and GIF search panel into one, like a small tool built into Windows, significantly enhancing related productivity!
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To open the clipboard, press Windows + V, and to open the emoji panel, press Windows + ;. There are more panel shortcuts that need to be memorized; if you can’t remember them, the shortcuts may not seem so quick. However, that was an issue with Windows 10. In Windows 11, you only need to remember one shortcut to bring up the quick panel, and the buttons above will guide you to where you want to go.
Taskbar and Start Menu#
The most striking impression of Windows 11 is the centered taskbar, the redesign of the Windows icon, and the redesign of the Start menu. Although the centered taskbar has faced criticism, it is one of the most distinctive features of Windows 11. If someone really dislikes it, they can choose to move it back to the left; Windows 11 provides that option.
The redesign of the Windows icon represents a brand new beginning for Windows, with colorful and flat icons symbolizing a new era.
Although the taskbar has faced criticism, the Start menu in Windows 11 boasts powerful aggregation features that no previous version of Windows has had. Here, you can launch installed software, view recently accessed items, and perform global searches, even including system settings! This almost replaces the functionality of the Control Panel, providing direct access to where you want to go without needing to set up the Windows search index in advance (which was required in Windows 10). You only need to run the Windows Search service required by the Windows system, which saves time, frees up more computing power, and extends the lifespan of the hard drive.
Summary#
In addition to these features, Windows 11 has many more changes that greatly enhance productivity and save a lot of time. As a Windows system, it has modified many appearances, providing a better visual effect and reducing the feeling of aesthetic fatigue.
Further Productivity Improvements#
Each generation of Windows systems has improved productivity, but for some people, productivity still falls short, necessitating external software for further enhancement.
QQ#
As a widely used software among Chinese users, the official PC QQ has many issues, such as freezing upon login, freezing when opening the chat box, pop-up ads, etc., leading many to wish to teach the official team how to create a better PC QQ. However, for systems after Windows 10, the Microsoft Store is something you cannot miss. Many software there offers better functionality than what you can download from the official website, and it is officially released. The Microsoft Store version of QQ effectively resolves issues like freezing upon login, freezing when opening the chat box, and pop-up ads.
Paint 3D#
This is a feature that comes with Windows 10, but it has been removed in Windows 11 and published in the Microsoft Store. It has the most excellent feature — Magic Select, which is primarily used for image cutouts, and is extremely easy to use. Additionally, it allows for 3D editing.
Snipaste#
You can use it for screenshots, pasting images, and image annotation. The screenshot function can automatically select interface elements and allows for precise mouse movement using the W A S D keys, along with a unique screenshot recording playback feature. The pasting function allows screenshots or other images to be pinned as windows.
You can easily download it from the Microsoft Store. It has both a paid version and a free version, but for general users, the free version is completely sufficient.
Bilibili#
This is a third-party client for BiliBili, featuring a more beautiful UI and more user-friendly content. You can search for and download it from the Microsoft Store or through this link.
Wallpaper Engine#
Use stunning dynamic wallpapers on your desktop to beautify it! This software requires you to spend 19 yuan to purchase it, and it is recommended to buy it on Steam. But please take care of your health!
Steam++#
An open-source, cross-platform multifunctional gaming toolbox, but its biggest function is to accelerate Steam.
Others#
Collected other tutorials for tuning Windows 11.
These videos contain a lot of useful information, but it is not recommended to stop updates, nor is it advisable to use TranslucentTB in Windows 11 as it may cause some uncontrollable bugs.
Perceived Desktop#
After tuning the desktop, it looks like this.
Conclusion#
Let’s return to the initial question: why did Microsoft choose to break its promise and release Windows 11? It is because of the arrival of a new era, indeed! With the continuous development of human technology, the ongoing exploration of the microscopic realm, and the enhancement of control technology, today’s hardware is iterating at an incredible speed. Software technology is also continuously evolving; whether in software updates or hardware upgrades, it is a testament to human civilization's development in the information age, a reflection of over five thousand years of human wisdom, created by the diligent hands of our predecessors, and the best proof of the information age. Today’s information age, like software and hardware, continuously accumulates small version updates and advancements, culminating in an entirely new era. Windows 11, like the current era, still has many issues, but I believe...
This article was synchronized and updated to xLog by Mix Space. The original link is https://fmcf.cc/posts/life/Next-Gen-Windows