Switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 brings a refreshed interface and new tools designed to boost productivity. Below, we highlight eight standout features – plus step-by-step guides for two key functions to help you get started quickly.
Want to know more about Windows 11 features? Read the full article on What’s New in Windows 11.
Feature | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
Start Menu & Taskbar | Left-aligned, traditional design | Centered, for a cleaner look with pinned apps and recent files. |
Snipping Tool | Basic screenshot modes with limited editing and no recording capabilities | Now supports screen recording with audio, copy or redact text from screenshots, add shapes and emojis, and use Bing Visual Search to explore content from your captures. |
Accessibility Tools | Basic essential features like narration, speech recognition and color | Modernized, easier-to-use design, with improved performance, and new capabilities such as voice commands and automatic live captions for any audio. |
Performance | Standard startup times, memory management, battery life | Optimized speed and efficiency; faster startup, improved memory management, and better battery life. |
Windows Updates | Larger, slower updates | Smaller, more efficient updates. |
Security | Standard protections | Stronger security (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot) for added protection against modern threats. |
Multitasking | Basic window snapping | Snap Layouts & Groups for advanced side-by-side multitasking. |
Virtual Desktops | Limited customization | Customizable desktops for different needs; one for work, school, and gaming. |
Snap Layouts for Multitasking
Organize multiple windows into predefined layouts for efficient multitasking.
- Hover over the maximize button on any window.
- Choose a layout (e.g., side-by-side, grid).
- Click the desired position for the current window.
- Select other windows to fill the remaining slots in the grouping.
Tip: Use the snapped layouts to switch between grouped windows easily.
Virtual Desktops
Create and manage separate desktops to organize workspaces for different tasks such as work related, research, social media and more.
- Click the Task View icon (two overlapping rectangles) on the taskbar.
- Click New Desktop to create a new workspace.
- Open apps and browser sites.
- Hover over the maximize button on any window.
- Choose a layout (e.g., side-by-side, grid).
- Click the desired position for the current window.
- Select other windows to fill the remaining slots.
- Use the Task View icon to switch between virtual desktops.
Tip: You can assign custom names to each desktop by right-clicking them in Task View.