Windows 11 facts for kids
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Screenshot of Windows 11, showing the Start menu and centered taskbar, with the Search box open
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| Company / developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Programmed in | |
| OS family | Microsoft Windows |
| Source model |
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| Marketing target | Personal computing |
| Available language(s) |
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| Package manager | .exe, APPX, appxbundle |
| Supported platforms | x86-64, ARM64 |
| Kernel type | Hybrid (Windows NT kernel) |
| Userland | Native API Windows API .NET Framework Universal Windows Platform Windows Subsystem for Android Windows Subsystem for Linux |
| Default user interface | Windows shell (graphical) |
| License | Proprietary |
Windows 11 is the newest main version of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. It was released on October 5, 2021. It came after Windows 10 (2015). You can get it as a free upgrade if your computer runs Windows 10 and meets the right requirements. Windows 11 is the first main Windows version without a mobile phone edition.
Windows 11 brought a new look to the Windows shell. This new design was inspired by a project called Windows 10X that was canceled. It includes a Start menu in the middle and a separate "Widgets" panel. This panel replaced the old "live tiles." It also has new ways to manage windows on your screen. Windows 11 also uses gaming features from the Xbox Series X and Series S. These include Auto HDR and DirectStorage for computers that support them. The Chromium-based Microsoft Edge is still the main web browser. Microsoft Teams is also built into the system. Microsoft also made it easier for other apps to be in the Microsoft Store. This includes some Android apps through a partnership with the Amazon Appstore.
Windows 11 needs much stronger computer parts than older Windows versions. Microsoft says this is for better security. The system needs features like UEFI, Secure Boot, and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. It officially works only with newer processors. These include Intel Core eighth-generation or newer, AMD Ryzen second-generation or newer, or Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 or later. These rules mean many older computers cannot officially run Windows 11. This caused some people to complain. You can still install it on unsupported computers, but Microsoft might not give you updates or help. Windows 11 also stopped supporting all 32-bit processors. It only runs on x86-64 and ARM64 computers.
When Windows 11 first came out, people had mixed feelings about it. Before its release, many talked about the higher hardware needs. They wondered if it was for better security or to make people buy new computers. People generally liked its new look, better window management, and stronger security. However, some critics did not like changes to the user interface. For example, there were fewer ways to change the taskbar. It also became harder to change default apps. By July 2025, Windows 11 was used on 51.8% of desktop computers. This was the first time it was used by most desktop computers. It also passed Windows 10, which was at 45.0%.
Contents
How Windows 11 Was Made
In 2015, a Microsoft employee said that Windows 10 would be the "last version of Windows." This meant it would be updated over time like a service. But this comment was later seen as taken out of context.
In 2019, Microsoft announced "Windows 10X." This was a special version of Windows 10 for devices with two screens. It had a different look, like a centered taskbar and a new Start menu without "live tiles." Older Windows apps would run in special "containers" to save power. Microsoft planned to release Windows 10X devices by the end of 2020.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Microsoft decided to launch Windows 10X only on single-screen devices first. They wanted to meet customer needs better.
By October 2020, reports said Microsoft was working on a new look for Windows 10. This project was called "Sun Valley." It aimed to make the Windows look more "fluid" and consistent. Many thought it would use ideas from Windows 10X. In January 2021, Microsoft posted a job ad for a "sweeping visual rejuvenation of Windows."
Microsoft started adding some of these new visual changes to Windows 10 in late 2020. These included new system icons and better Task View features. They also added x86-64 emulation on ARM and the Auto HDR feature from Xbox Series X.
On May 18, 2021, Microsoft announced that Windows 10X was canceled. They said they would use its best parts in other Windows products.
When Windows 11 Was Announced
At the Microsoft Build 2021 conference, CEO Satya Nadella hinted at a new Windows version. He said an official announcement would come soon. A week later, Microsoft sent invitations for a Windows event on June 24, 2021. Microsoft also posted an 11-minute video of Windows startup sounds. Many thought this hinted at the name "Windows 11."
On June 24, 2021, Windows 11 was officially announced at an online event. Chief Product Officer Panos Panay hosted it. Nadella called Windows 11 "a re-imagining of the operating system." More details for app makers were shared later that day. These included updates to the Microsoft Store and new design rules.
Release and How It Was Marketed
The name Windows 11 was accidentally shown in a Microsoft document in June 2021. Then, pictures of a test version of Windows 11 appeared online on June 15, 2021. This was followed by the test version itself leaking. The pictures and leaked version showed a design like the canceled Windows 10X. Microsoft later confirmed the leak was real.
At the June 24 event, Microsoft said Windows 11 would be released in "Holiday 2021." It would be a free upgrade for Windows 10 computers that could run it. On June 28, Microsoft released the first test version of Windows 11 for Windows Insiders.
On August 31, 2021, Microsoft announced that Windows 11 would be released on October 5, 2021. The release would happen in stages, with newer computers getting the upgrade first. This was the longest time between two main Windows versions.
The first TV ad for Windows 11 was shown during the 2021 NFL Kickoff Game on September 9, 2021. It showed off the system's features and games like Halo Infinite. Other promotions included the Burj Khalifa in Dubai showing the Windows 11 logo.
Microsoft officially released Windows 11 on October 5, 2021. You could upgrade using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Windows Update. Microsoft expected all eligible computers to get the upgrade by mid-2022. As of September 20, 2023, Microsoft said you could no longer use Windows 7 or 8/8.1 keys to activate Windows 10/11. However, some reports in 2024 say they still work in certain cases.
What's New in Windows 11
Windows 11 is the first big Windows release since 2015. It updates the user interface with Microsoft's new Fluent Design guidelines. This new design focuses on being easy to use and flexible. It also adds new features for productivity and social connections. Security and accessibility were also improved.
The Microsoft Store, where you get apps and other content, also has a new look. Microsoft now lets app makers put Win32 apps, web apps, and other types of apps in the Microsoft Store. Microsoft also plans to let other app stores, like Epic Games Store, offer their apps there. Windows 11 can also run x86-64 software on ARM-based computers.
The communication app Microsoft Teams is built into Windows 11. You can find it on the taskbar. Skype is no longer included by default. In early 2023, the Phone Link app started to support iMessage for some users.
Microsoft says Windows 11 has better performance. This includes smaller updates, faster web browsing, quicker wake-up from sleep, and faster Windows Hello login.
Windows 11 comes with the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge web browser. It does not include or support Internet Explorer. To follow the Digital Markets Act, Microsoft lets users in Europe remove Microsoft Edge and other Microsoft services.
The updated Xbox app is part of Windows 11. It includes Auto HDR and DirectStorage technologies from the Xbox Series X and Series S. For these, you need a graphics card that supports DirectX 12 and a fast NVMe solid-state drive.
How the User Interface Looks
The user interface (UI) has a new design throughout the system. It uses the Fluent Design System. You will see clear effects, shadows, new colors, and rounded corners everywhere. A key part of the design is "Mica," which is a background that changes with your desktop wallpaper. Much of the new look is inspired by the canceled Windows 10X. The Segoe UI font, used since Windows Vista, has been updated to look better on different screens.
The taskbar buttons are in the middle by default. The taskbar stays at the bottom of the screen. You cannot easily move it to the top, left, or right like in older Windows versions. The notifications are now accessed by clicking the date and time. Other quick settings, like volume and brightness, are in a new pop-up. The "Widgets" button on the taskbar shows a panel with Microsoft Start. This is a news aggregator with personalized stories. Microsoft Teams is also built into the taskbar.
The Start menu has been greatly changed. It no longer has the "live tiles" from Windows 8.x and 10. Instead, it shows a grid of "pinned" apps and a list of recent apps and documents. File Explorer has a simpler toolbar instead of the old "ribbon." Its context menus are also redesigned. Some tasks like copy and paste are now on a toolbar at the top.
Task View, a feature from Windows 10, has a new look. It lets you set different wallpapers for each virtual desktop. The window snapping feature is improved. If you hover over a window's maximize button, you can choose "Snap Layouts." These help you arrange many windows on your screen. A group of snapped windows can be minimized and restored together from the taskbar. If you disconnect a second screen, windows from that screen will minimize instead of moving to your main screen. When you reconnect the screen, they go back to their original spot.
In June 2025, Microsoft showed a new design for Windows 11 on handheld gaming PCs. Like SteamOS, it can start directly into the Xbox app. This helps save computer power and makes it feel more like a game console. The task switcher and lock screen also work better with a gamepad. This new mode was first available on the ROG Xbox Ally. It will come to other devices in 2026.
Windows Subsystem for Android
On October 21, 2021, Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) became available for testing in the United States. This allowed users to install and run Android apps on Windows 11. Users could install apps using APK files. An Amazon Appstore app was also available in the Microsoft Store. WSA became available to all users in the United States on February 15, 2022. On March 5, 2024, Microsoft announced that WSA would no longer be supported after March 5, 2025.
Setting Up Windows 11
For Home and Pro editions (since version 22H2), you need an internet connection and a Microsoft account to set up Windows 11 for the first time. This is required for personal use on Pro. However, Microsoft has made it harder to skip this step and create a local user account. Other editions do not have this requirement.
Computer Security
Windows 11 needs a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 security chip. This chip helps protect against attacks on your computer's core software and hardware. Microsoft says TPM 2.0 is very important for security. Also, Windows 11 computers must have virtualization-based security (VBS), hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), and Secure Boot turned on by default. The system also has hardware-enforced stack protection for supported Intel and AMD processors. This helps protect against new, unknown attacks.
Like Windows 10, Windows 11 also supports multi-factor authentication and biometric authentication using Windows Hello.
Artificial Intelligence Features
In later updates, Microsoft added features using artificial intelligence (AI). These include live captions, removing background noise in video calls, and webcam auto-framing. AI-powered Bing Chat was also added to the taskbar's search box. In summer 2023, the new Microsoft Copilot added advanced AI features to the Windows taskbar.
On May 20, 2024, Microsoft announced Recall. This feature uses a special AI chip to save snapshots of what you do on your computer. You can then search through these snapshots. This feature is only for computers called "Copilot+ PC." After people worried about security, Microsoft delayed Recall in June 2024 to test it more.
Different Versions of Windows 11
Windows 11 comes in two main versions:
- Home edition: For regular users at home.
- Pro edition: Has extra features for businesses, like better networking and security (such as BitLocker). It also lets you join a domain.
Windows 11 Home might only allow apps from the Microsoft Store by default ("S Mode"). Windows 11 Home needs an internet connection and a Microsoft account for the first setup. This rule also applies to Windows 11 Pro since version 22H2, unless it's not for personal use.
Windows 11 SE was announced on November 9, 2021. This version is only for cheaper computers sold to schools. It is meant to replace Windows 10 S and compete with ChromeOS. It is designed to be managed by schools using Microsoft Intune. Windows 11 SE has some differences and limits based on feedback from teachers. For example, Snap Layouts only show two apps at once, and apps open maximized. Widgets are removed. It comes with apps like Microsoft Office for Microsoft 365 and Minecraft Education Edition. Files are saved to OneDrive by default. Windows 11 SE does not have the Microsoft Store. School administrators install other software. Microsoft Edge is set up to allow extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
Other Versions
Other versions include Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, Education, Enterprise, and IoT Enterprise. These are similar to their Windows 10 versions.
Two new versions, IoT Enterprise Subscription and IoT Enterprise Subscription LTSC, were added in version 24H2.
Updates and Support
Like Windows 10, Windows 11 gets updates following Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy. Each big yearly update is supported for a certain time:
- Two years for Home and Pro editions.
- Three years for Education and Enterprise editions.
Microsoft says that if you install Windows 11 on a computer that doesn't meet the minimum requirements, they don't guarantee support.
Windows 11 gets major updates once a year. Microsoft sometimes adds big features in smaller updates during the year. Starting in 2022, for Enterprise and Education editions, major features in yearly releases are turned off by default. They can be turned on manually.
Test Versions
The Windows Insider program from Windows 10 continues. It has test versions divided into "Dev" (unstable builds for future features), "Beta" (more stable test builds for the next big update), and "Release Preview" (final tests for upcoming updates).
Known Problems
Version 24H2 has more known problems than usual. Some need updated drivers or software updates to fix. Others are still not fixed as of March 2025. For example, some devices have broken fingerprint or camera support. Also, some older games and apps might not work correctly or at all.
What Your Computer Needs to Run Windows 11
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | A compatible 64-bit processor (x86-64 or ARM64) with at least 1 GHz clock rate and at least 2 processor cores |
| Memory (RAM) | At least 4 GB |
| Storage space | At least 64 GB |
| System firmware | Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) |
| Security | Secure Boot (recommended and required to be available, but does not need to be enabled) |
| Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 | |
| Graphics card | Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9" diagonally, 8 bits per color channel |
| Internet connection and Microsoft accounts | Internet connection and Microsoft account required to complete first-time setup on Home and Pro (for personal use) editions. |
| Feature | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 5G support | 5G capable modem |
| Auto HDR | HDR capable monitor |
| Biometric authentication and Windows Hello | Illuminated infrared camera or fingerprint reader |
| BitLocker to Go | USB flash drive (available in Windows 11 Pro and higher editions) |
| Hyper-V | Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) (available in Windows 11 Pro and higher editions) |
| DirectStorage | NVMe Solid-state drive |
| DirectX 12 Ultimate | Available with supported games and graphics cards |
| Spatial sound | Supporting hardware and software |
| Two-factor authentication | Use of PIN, biometric authentication, or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities |
| Speech recognition | Microphone |
| Wi-Fi 6E support | New WLAN IHV hardware and driver, Wi-Fi 6E capable AP/router |
| Windows Projection | Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct, WDDM 2.0 |
| Windows Subsystem for Android (public preview) | A supported processor and a solid-state drive At least 8 GB of RAM (minimum) At least 16 GB of RAM (recommended) |
Official Requirements
The basic system requirements for Windows 11 are very different from Windows 10. Windows 11 only works on 64-bit computers. These use x86-64 or ARM64 processors. Older 32-bit processors are no longer supported. This makes Windows 11 the first consumer Windows version without 32-bit support. The minimum RAM and storage needed also increased. Windows 11 now needs at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. Also, for the first time, TPM 2.0 is required.
Microsoft also checks the processor model before installation. This is not for all versions, but for most. The processor must be on a special list from Microsoft. As of March 2025, this list includes:
- Intel Core CPUs from the eighth generation (Coffee Lake) and newer.
- AMD Zen+ CPUs/APUs and newer.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 and newer.
The Intel Core i7-7820HQ, a seventh-generation processor, is also supported on some devices. Microsoft now suggests using the PC Health Check app to see if your computer is compatible. This is because people were confused by the lists.
On May 20, 2024, Microsoft announced "Copilot+ PC." These are Windows 11 computers designed for advanced AI features. Copilot+ PCs need a special AI accelerator chip, at least 256 GB of storage, and at least 16 GB of RAM.
Unofficial Ways to Install
You can still install Windows 11 on computers with unsupported 64-bit processors. However, you must do a clean install or upgrade using an ISO file. Windows Update will not offer the upgrade. You also have to agree that you might not get updates. Any damage from using Windows 11 on an unsupported computer might not be covered by warranty.
There are also unofficial ways to get around other Windows 11 requirements, like TPM 2.0. Microsoft even provides an official way to bypass some requirements, though it's still not fully supported.
In April 2024, test versions of version 24H2 started needing specific CPU instructions (SSE4.2 and POPCNT). This means older processors like Intel Core 2 and AMD K10 CPUs are no longer supported, even unofficially. Version 24H2 also needs ARMv8.1, dropping unofficial support for older ARM processors.
Firmware Compatibility
Older BIOS systems are no longer officially supported. You need a UEFI system and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 security chip. The TPM rule caused confusion because many motherboards don't have TPM support. Or, they need a TPM chip to be installed. Many newer CPUs have a TPM built-in (called "fTPM" by AMD and "PTT" by Intel). This might be turned off by default and needs to be enabled in your computer's UEFI settings.
The ARM64 version of Windows 11 needs UEFI firmware with ACPI protocol.
Starting with version 24H2, IoT Enterprise editions officially brought back support for older BIOS. They also removed the TPM requirement.
Third-Party Software
Some other software might not run on Windows 11 if your computer doesn't meet the hardware security rules. For example, Riot Games' anti-cheat system Vanguard, used in Valorant and League of Legends, requires Secure Boot and a TPM 2.0 chip to be enabled on Windows 11.
IoT Enterprise Editions
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | A 64-bit processor (x86-64 v2 or ARMv8.1) with at least 1 GHz clock rate and at least 2 processor cores. |
| Memory (RAM) | LTSC: At least 2 GB Non-LTSC: At least 4 GB |
| Storage space | LTSC: At least 16 GB Non-LTSC: At least 64 GB |
| System firmware | Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) |
| Security | Optional |
| Graphics card | Compatible with DirectX 10/Not required |
| Display | Optional |
| Internet connection and Microsoft accounts | Not required |
IoT Enterprise editions of Windows 11 have always had slightly lower official requirements. But starting with version 24H2, the minimum requirements were lowered even more. These updated 24H2 requirements were announced on May 22, 2024. For the first time since Windows 11 came out, Microsoft officially removed the TPM and UEFI requirements for these editions. They also lowered the minimum DirectX version to 10. The IoT Enterprise LTSC edition needs even less RAM (2 GB) and storage (16 GB).
Images for kids
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Screenshot of Windows 11, showing the Start menu and centered taskbar, with the Search box open
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The flyout for the volume and brightness control in Windows 11 version 22H2 onwards
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The redesigned Task View in Windows 11, featuring a separate wallpaper support for individual desktops
See also
In Spanish: Windows 11 para niños
