Windows 11 is out now and ready for you to download
The OS launched a little earlier than expected for most, but should you rush to install it?
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Windows 11is out now. Microsoft’s latest operating system is official available to download in something resembling a final release build, and if you fancy taking it for a spin it’s a fairly simple process to update to Windows 11 on your gaming PC.
Microsoft dropped its newly-numbered OS close to a day early in some areas of the world, which means you could’ve spent all night with Windows 11. Lucky you.
New features with Windows 11 include a redesigned Microsoft Store, new look and feel Start Menu and Taskbar, built-in support for Android apps, and its new AutoHDR feature.
That said, we’re not quite convinced that Windows 11 is an OS worthy of your gaming PC just yet. It’s not that it doesn’t look flashy and come with some new features worth talking about, it’s just that, despite its official ‘release’, it still feels an operating system very much in beta.
We also can’t believe some of theseold Windows menus are still going strong.
Windows 11 review: what we think of the new OSHow to install Windows 11: safe and secure installWhat you need to know before upgrading to Windows 11: things to note before downloading the latest OS
Though that said, we’ve tried the new OS out on some of our own machines in the weeks leading up to launch, and found a few things we like in the new OS, such as its soothing new sounds, the redesigned app window experience, and the new window snap functionality.
Is that worth the price of admission? You can be the judge of that with your ownWindows 11 installationfrom the download page, that is if you don’t fancy waiting for Microsoft to update your machine for you sometime next year and your system meets thestringent processor requirements.
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The easiest way to install Windows 11 is to follow the steps for Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Failing that, Installation Media should provide a handy alternative for users with a decent USB drive close at hand, though that’s proved a little flaky for us so far. An easy ISO download, however, is always the most straightforward option.
Jacob earned his first byline writing for his own tech blog. From there, he graduated to professionally breaking things as hardware writer at PCGamesN, and would go on to run the team as hardware editor. He joined PC Gamer’s top staff as senior hardware editor before becoming managing editor of the hardware team, and you’ll now find him reporting on the latest developments in the technology and gaming industries and testing the newest PC components.
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