Win 10 vs 11: Which Wins?

Windows 10 vs. Windows 11: Which One Should You Choose?

Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, released in October 2021. It promises to offer a fresh and modern user interface, improved performance, enhanced security, and new features. But is it worth upgrading from Windows 10, which is still a solid and stable OS that will receive support until 2025? In this blog post, we will compare Windows 10 and Windows 11 in terms of design, functionality, compatibility, and performance and help you decide which one is better for you.

Design

One of the most noticeable differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 is the design. Windows 11 has a sleek and minimalist look with rounded corners, pastel colors, and centered icons on the taskbar and the Start menu. It also has new app icons, widgets, and Fluent Emojis that give it a more modern and consistent appearance. Windows 11 also supports live captions for your browser and Focus mode for customizing your notifications.

Windows 10, on the other hand, has a more traditional and familiar design, with sharp edges, bright colors, and left-aligned icons on the taskbar and the Start menu. It also has live tiles that show dynamic information from your apps, such as news, weather, or calendar events. Windows 10 also has a dark mode that can reduce eye strain and save battery life.

The design preference is subjective, but some users may find Windows 11 more appealing and intuitive, while others may prefer Windows 10 for its familiarity and functionality.

Functionality

Windows 11 introduces some new features that are not available in Windows 10, such as:

Android apps support: Windows 11 can run Android apps from the Amazon Appstore through the Microsoft Store. This means you can access thousands of apps that were previously only available on mobile devices, such as Instagram, TikTok, or Kindle.

Snap layouts and groups: Windows 11 makes it easier to arrange multiple windows on your screen with predefined layouts that you can choose from the maximize button. You can also create snap groups that remember your window configurations when you switch between different monitors or desktops.

Virtual desktops:

Windows 11 lets you create multiple virtual desktops for different purposes, such as work, gaming, or personal. You can customize each desktop with its wallpaper and apps and switch between them with a swipe or a keyboard shortcut.

Voice typing:

Windows 11 has a built-in voice typing feature that allows you to dictate text with your voice. It also has auto-punctuation and voice commands that can help you format your text or insert emojis.

Windows Studio Effects:

Windows 11 has a set of tools that can enhance your video calls with background blur, eye contact correction, voice focus, and automatic framing.

Windows 10 also has some features that are not available in Windows 11, such as:

Timeline: Windows 10 has a timeline feature that shows your activity history across your devices. You can see what apps, documents, or websites you were using at a specific time and resume them with a click.

Cortana: Windows 10 has Cortana as a built-in digital assistant that can help you with tasks such as setting reminders, searching the web, or controlling your smart home devices. Cortana is still available in Windows 11 as an app, but it is not integrated with the taskbar or the Start menu.

Tablet mode: Windows 10 has a tablet mode that optimizes the user interface for touch input when you detach or fold your keyboard. It makes the icons bigger, hides the taskbar icons, and enables full-screen apps. Windows 11 does not have a dedicated tablet mode but adapts to touch input automatically.

The functionality preference depends on your needs and preferences. Some users may find Windows 11 more versatile and innovative, while others may find Windows 10 more reliable and familiar.

Compatibility

Windows 11 has higher system requirements than Windows 10. To run Windows 11, you need:

A compatible 64-bit processor with two cores and at least 1 GHz speed

At least 4 GB of RAM

At least 64 GB of storage space

A DirectX 12 compatible graphics card with a WDDM 2. x driver

A display with at least HD resolution (720p) and 8 bits per color channel

A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 chip

UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability

An internet connection

To run Windows 10, you need:

A compatible processor with at least 1 GHz speed (64-bit or 32-bit)

At least 2 GB of RAM for the 64-bit version or at least 1 GB of RAM for the 32-bit version

At least 20 GB of storage space for the 64-bit version or at least 16 GB of storage space for the 32-bit version

A DirectX 9 compatible graphics card with a WDDM 1.0 driver

A display with at least 800 x 600 resolution

An internet connection

This means that some older or low-end PCs that can run Windows 10 may not be able to run Windows 11. Microsoft has a tool called PC Health Check that can help you check if your PC meets the requirements for Windows 11. You can also check the list of supported processors for Windows 11 on Microsoft’s website.

In terms of software and hardware compatibility, Windows 11 claims to be compatible with most of the apps and devices that work on Windows 10. However, there may be some exceptions or issues, especially with older or less common software or hardware. Microsoft recommends checking the compatibility of your apps and devices before upgrading to Windows 11. You can also use the Compatibility Troubleshooter or the Program Compatibility Assistant to help you resolve any compatibility problems.

The compatibility preference depends on your PC’s hardware and the software and devices you use. Some users may find Windows 11 more secure and efficient, while others may find Windows 10 more accessible and flexible.

Performance

Windows 11 claims to offer better performance than Windows 10 in terms of speed, battery life, and gaming. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 is faster at booting up, waking up from sleep, browsing the web, and launching apps. It also uses less memory and CPU resources, which can improve battery life and responsiveness. Additionally, Windows 11 has some gaming features that are not available in Windows 10, such as Auto HDR, DirectStorage, and Xbox Game Pass integration.

However, the performance difference between Windows 11 and Windows 10 may not be very noticeable or significant for most users. It may also vary depending on your PC’s hardware, configuration, and usage. Some users may experience performance issues or bugs with Windows 11, especially in the early stages of its release. Microsoft is constantly working on improving and updating Windows 11, so it may become more stable and optimized over time.

The performance preference depends on your expectations and experiences. Some users may find Windows 11 faster and smoother, while others may find Windows 10 more stable and consistent.

Conclusion

Windows 10 and Windows 11 are both great operating systems that have their pros and cons. There is no definitive answer to which one is better for you. It depends on your personal preference, needs, and situation. You can try both of them and see which one suits you better. You can also wait until Windows 11 becomes more mature and widely adopted before making a decision.

If you decide to upgrade to Windows 11, you can do so for free if your PC meets the requirements and you have a genuine copy of Windows 10. You can use the PC Health Check tool to see if your PC is eligible for the upgrade. You can also use the Media Creation Tool or the Update Assistant to download and install Windows 11 manually. However, you should always back up your data before upgrading to avoid any data loss or corruption.

If you decide to stick with Windows 10, you can do so without any worries. Windows 10 will continue to receive security updates until October 2025, so it will remain safe and supported for a long time. You can also enjoy most of the features and benefits of Windows 10 without missing out on much from Windows 11.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Whether you choose Windows 10 or Windows 11, we hope this blog post has helped you understand the differences between them and make an informed decision.