Windows 11 is finally here, but Windows 10 isn’t going away anytime soon. For a lot of people, the changes made to the interface in Windows 11 might feel like a lot, and it might be tempting to sit back and just stick with what you know. But, if you’re someone who does a lot of multitasking, or relies heavily on accessibility features to help you get around your computer, then it just might be worth updating to Windows 11 sooner rather than later. Sure, it might not have the same exact optimizations that Windows 10 has going for it after years of updates, but that doesn’t mean the new OS isn’t well on its way. Performance is already smooth, and some of the changes made to how you multitask in Windows 11 are leaps and bounds above what we’ve had on Windows 10.
Not Just Eye Candy
One of the most noticeable changes to Windows 11 is the introduction of warmer icons and colors, as well as the centering of the iconic Start Menu. This is a huge change from the left-handed orientation we’ve become accustomed to, and it pulls more from the likes of Google’s Chrome OS than it does past Windows Start replacements. It can take some getting used to, but after you’ve settled into the brighter colors and the more rounded corners, the overall look of Windows 11 is much more enticing than Windows 10. It’s not a huge difference, but sometimes even the small things can help make the day a little bit better. Of course, the changes don’t stop there. While the new look of Windows 11 is refreshing, this isn’t just a visual update. Windows 11 also introduces multiple new features designed to make multitasking much easier. As someone who often has multiple windows and tabs open, being able to cleanly snap them to different parts of my monitor is a huge improvement from the drag and drop method of Windows 10. Sure, that way worked, but now I can turn my 28-inch monitor into a workspace that holds four windows, without having to manually size them up. It saves time and makes it easier to do my job. If you spend a lot of time jumping between multiple windows, it can be a huge time saver not having to manually set the windows up where you want them. Instead, all you need to do now is click in the top corner and select where you want the window to go. There’s also the added benefit of being able to set up multiple desktops on your computer, which makes it easy to switch from things like work to a more personalized layout. Or, if you wear multiple hats, you even can change how your desktop is arranged, depending on which job you’re doing at the time.
Accessibility
Microsoft says accessibility was a core focus of the design behind Windows 11, and while it contains the familiar technologies people have become used to—Windows Speech Recognition, closed captions, Narrator, and Magnifier—it also comes with some changes. Now, the operating system’s accessibility options are easier to find, and Microsoft has changed the way Windows sounds. The new sounds should be less aggressive and more helpful to those who rely on specific noises to help get things done on their computers. You also can more easily tweak the look and feel of the mouse pointer, as well as change the touch settings for your device to help let you know where it’s registering your touch. At its core, Windows 11 is already shaping up to be a solid Windows 10 successor. You don’t have to rush to download the newest OS just yet, and it’s probably going to be months before we see the fully realized version and all the features Microsoft has promised. But, if you want an operating system that’s easier on the eyes and packed with better accessibility and multitasking features, I highly recommend downloading it now and giving it a try.
