Windows 11: When is the release date, how much will it cost?

Windows 11: Release date and Price?

Microsoft has officially announced Windows 11 is on the way and will be with us before the end of the year. The “What’s next for Windows” event on June 24 had been preceded by an early build of Windows 11 leaking just the week before, so it didn’t come as too much of a surprise. Indeed Windows Insider beta testers already have access to an early build, and if you want to try it out yourself, you can sign up for the Windows Insider build.

Prior to this official announcement, it wasn’t clear what the future of the Windows OS would be. The general expectation was that the changes to the Windows UI, codenamed Sun Valley, would simply roll at as yet another Windows 10 update. And in many respects, that’s what Windows 11 is, another update to Windows 10, albeit one that Microsoft’s marketing department can get behind.

There are a number of changes in store for Windows 11 though, including a new UI, a major update to the Microsoft Store (that will also include Android apps), better Xbox app integration, as well as introducing AutoHDR and DirectStorage support.

When will Windows 11 be released?

Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 is going to be available for new machines by the holidays, with updates to existing Windows 10 users coming at the start of 2022. The Windows Insider build of Windows 11 is already available for beta testing on the Dev Channel. A potential October 2021 release date has been teased by an Intel GPU driver doc, however, which leads credence to that timeframe.

The Intel GPU doc lists supported Windows operating systems for a planned GPU driver release, and lists 64-bit Windows 10 updates all the way back to 2018, but finishes with ‘Microsoft Windows 11-64 – October 2021 Update (21H2).’ As well as a potential release date it also almost confirms Windows 11 as the original Windows 10 21H2 update.

The closest thing to an official statement on the release date, however, is from a blog post by Panos Panay, the Chief Product Officer of Windows, which states, “Windows 11 will be available through a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs and on new PCs beginning this holiday.”

We could also see a chunky update for Windows 10 drop around the same time as well, although Microsoft will probably focus on its new OS for the main part. Windows 10 will still be getting updates until 2025, so there’s plenty of life in the old dog yet.

This release date for Windows 11 is for new machines, with the update for existing Windows 10 users coming at the beginning of 2022. This should mean that any bugs and problems will be (mostly) sorted by the time you can upgrade. If you can upgrade, assuming you have a TPM 2.0 compatible machine.

If you’re eager to see what all the fuss is about, then you could install the Windows 11 Insider build right now. The Windows 11 Insider Preview build (22000.51) was made available on June 28, and while an early build, it does feature the new interface and some key Windows 11 features. We wouldn’t recommend installing it on your main machine though, as it’s still early in the release schedule and there’s a good chance it won’t work flawlessly.

The new Windows UI

The most obvious changes to Windows 11 are on the user interface (UI) front. Microsoft has always had a tendency to mess with its UI, and for Windows 11, it hasn’t held back. There’s a new look for existing windows, and it’s revisited its frosted-glass effect for some overlapping panels. The start button has moved, widgets are making a comeback, and

The general ethos is a move to a softer, more-rounded theme. Windows no longer have the right-angle corners that we’ve become accustomed to but are rounded instead. It’s a subtle change, but it’s it does have a different feel—at least it does when the windows are not full screen.

The other major change is the shifting of the taskbar to the middle of the screen, as opposed to being squeezed into the bottom left-hand corner. Worry not though, you can move it back to how it works in Windows 10 with the flick of a switch on the Taskbar Settings screen.
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How you arrange your windows on the screen has also enjoyed a long-overdue shot in the arm. Hovering your mouse over the maximize icon results in a drop-down palette that lets you select how you want the various windows to be arranged. You have some control over such things in Windows 10, but with easy support for windows taking up a third of the screen, or quarters, this can make for a much neater layout. This is particularly useful if you’re rocking a large 4K screen and you want to view several apps at the same time.

One aesthetic change that is rumored to be coming to Windows 11 is an end to the Blue Screen of Death, or BSOD if you prefer. Don’t worry though, that BSOD acronym will still be preserved (in English at least), as it’s changing to the Black Screen of Death—which sounds far more metal.

Windows 11 redesigned Microsoft Store

Windows 11 will feature a new version of the Microsoft Store, with a new interface and a broader selection of apps. This new store will have an easier to use and better-curated digital storefront. It will also be faster, “We rebuilt for speed”, said Panos Panay during the Windows 11 announcement.

The new-look Microsoft Store will be coming to Windows 10 as well.

One of the most surprising announcements about the Microsoft Store, other than the fact that Microsoft isn’t prepared to give up on it just yet, is that you’ll be able to run Android apps on your Windows PC. Microsoft has sided with Amazon to bring its particular brand of apps to the Microsoft Store, but you’ll be able to sideload apk files from elsewhere. This comes courtesy of the work Intel has been doing with its Bridge Technology, but don’t worry, it’ll run on AMD CPUs as well.

What are the system requirements for Windows 11?

The core system requirements for Windows 11 aren’t too different from what Windows 10 asks for, at least as far as the processor, RAM, and graphics card are concerned. There is currently the inclusion of a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 though, that could scupper some upgrade plans.

The full specifications are:

• Processor 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
• Memory 4 GB RAM
• Storage 64 GB or larger storage device
• System firmware UEFI, Secure Boot capable
• TPM Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
• Graphics card DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x
• Display >9-inch with HD Resolution (720p)
• Internet connection Microsoft account and internet connectivity required for setup for Windows 11 Home

You’ll notice from those requirements that Windows 11 is not limited to x86 CPUs, and we’ve already seen the Insider Preview installed on some interesting hardware. The not-so-humble-anymore Raspberry Pi 4.0 can run Windows 11, which isn’t bad for a system that can be had for as little as $55. There are reports emerging of powerful smartphones also managing the feat.

How much will Windows 11 cost?

Microsoft has announced that the new Windows 11 OS release will be available as a free update to licensed Windows 10 users. People buying PCs today will therefore be eligible for a free upgrade when Windows 11 launches around the holidays.