Microsoft’s Windows 11 is official. It’s the next generation of Windows and if you’re excited about it, you’re probably wondering when you can get it. The good news is that you’re not going to have to wait that long for it. It’s going to start rolling out on October 5, 2021.
What’s coming in Windows 11?
Windows 11 is almost Windows 10 with a major UX refresh, although there are under-the-hood changes too. Panos Panay even said that it’s built right on top of the Windows 10 you’re already familiar with. But of course, it’s much more.
There’s a whole new look, and it’s got a new Start Menu, the return of widgets, new Quick Settings, a new notification center, and more. The codename for the new UX is Sun Valley, and if you’re excited about Windows, you’ve probably heard about it.
Aside from the new Start Menu, there are, of course, rounded corners as Microsoft sheds the sharp rectangles that it’s embraced over the last decade. Android apps are coming by way of the Amazon Appstore, Teams is getting integrated into the OS, and more.
There’s also a bunch of stuff that was already in preview before the announcement, such as colorful folder icons. In fact, tons of icons have been redesigned. It’s not just designed though, as there are actual new features on the way. For example, Windows on ARM users will finally be able to emulate 64-bit apps. We’ve done a hands-on of the first preview that you can check out right here, but you’ll have to wait until next week to get the full picture.
What’s the release date for Windows 11?
Windows 11 Insider Preview builds are available in the Beta channel of the Windows Insider Program, while the Dev channel is now back on prerelease builds. That means that it’s feature-complete now, as Android apps aren’t going to ship in the initial release. If you really want to get Windows 11 right now, you can enroll your PC in the Beta channel. Once it’s out, you’ll be able to smoothly switch your PC to production builds.
The preview builds released were already close to the RTM build, and then they’ve been serviced with cumulative updates. Right now, it’s more or less ready to go.
If you don’t want to be a Windows Insider, you’ll have to wait until this October 5. Keep in mind that that’s only when the rollout starts. It’s going to be a staged rollout, and it’s going to be a slow one. Beginning in October, we’re going to see new PCs start to ship with Windows 11, and we’ll also see it roll out to other new PCs that were billed as ready for Windows 11.
The Windows 11 release date for older PCs will vary. Microsoft says that the rollout should be completed by mid-2022. Of course, if you want it right away, you’ll still be able to use the Media Creation Tool to force the upgrade. There’s also a Windows 10 version 21H2 coming around the same time, just in case you’re ineligible for Windows 11.
Windows is still going to be updated as a service, but Windows 11 updates will arrive yearly, rather than semi-annually. That means that by the time the first feature update arrives, the staged rollout should be complete.
At that point, it’s going to be available to seekers, meaning you’ll have an option to take it through Windows Update. Microsoft isn’t going to force Windows 11 on anyone. If you want, you can stay on Windows 10, which will be supported until October 14, 2025.
The post When can I get Windows 11? Release date and more! appeared first on xda-developers.
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