When Windows 10X was folded into Windows 11, Microsoft appeared to have avoided competing against Chromebooks within the budget and education laptop markets, but Microsoft only agreed to be still working hard around the newly announced Windows 11 SE and Surface Laptop SE.

The organization announced both at its Reimagine event this week and also the hardware and software represent impressive new offerings from Microsoft that may certainly sway some in the education sell to adopt it over Google or Apple's options.

Looking at the hardware first, the top Laptop SE's $250 price point is the biggest attention grabber but it has more opting for it than that. Probably the most compelling features aren't the specs though, it's the durability and repairability. Laptops not just has user-replaceable storage but based on Microsoft from the "display, battery, keyboard-even the motherboard-can easily be repaired onsite, saving time and cash for this admins and schools." That's a big benefit when compared with most contemporary laptops.

While the specs are not to create home about, they are not bad either. The 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768-pixel display is about what you will expect within this price range and is coupled with an Intel Celeron N4120 CPU, 4 or 8GB of RAM, and 64 or 128GB of storage that needs to be enough for that tasks that K-8 students are undertaking.

The 2.45-pound weight is reasonably portable and truly thin and light would compromise on durability and repairability. A 720p webcam helps to ensure that remote learners it's still in the loop. The top Laptop SE also delivers the most important ports with USB-A, USB-C, a headphone jack, as well as an AC charging port. Wireless connectivity includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0.

The hardware is only the gateway to Windows 11 SE, the real star from the show. This takes Windows 11 and strips out lots of unnecessary extras to improve accessibility for children, while also making it far more manageable for teachers and college IT admins. The operating system is streamlined for devices like the Surface Laptop SE to provide excellent performance and battery life on even lower-end hardware. The full-screen app launches also result in the operating-system less confusing for younger learners.

For the teachers and IT admins, features like Microsoft Intune for Eduction make managing entire classrooms (or schools) of Windows 11 SE laptops possible with app installations, user profiles, and files all accessible through the cloud. Microsoft Office including OneDrive and Teams are of course present too, serving as a gateway to students using Microsoft products in the future.

It's a strong offering from Microsoft, but we'll need to see whether it can make a dent within the overwhelming lead that Google's Chrome OS and Chromebooks have within the education market currently.

Microsoft officially announced the all-new Windows 11 on June 24, 2021, planning to "reimagine the operating system." The new Windows implements Microsoft Fluent Design System, which emphasizes user-friendliness and adaptability. Other features include faster web surfing, faster sleep mode recovery, better Windows Hello authentication, and optimized update sizes.

Windows 11 has plenty of new features. Probably the most notable ones are the major overhauls to how the operating system looks, offering new choices for customization which are sure to delight users. One particular change that caught the attention of many Windows enthusiasts is the new central position from the Start menu.

Unfortunately, the new centered Start menu is also probably the most disliked alterations in the brand new operating-system. Users have varying reasons to oppose the modification, whether due to adherence to norms or poor functionality. Regardless, here are the things you can do to bring the Start menu to the original place.

How to Place the Windows 11's Start Menu left

1. To adjust the position of the Start menu icon, the first thing you need to do is to right-click on any blank spot of the Taskbar.
2. Select Task settings to open a Settings window. You should see the window available to the Personalization > Taskbar section.
3. Scroll down to the foot of the window to obtain the Taskbar behaviors section.
4. Click Taskbar behaviors. This section lets you edit various behavioral settings of your Taskbar, for example its alignment, badges, visibility, and more.
5. Click the dropdown beside Taskbar alignment. Windows allows you to choose from two different alignments for your Start menu, namely Left and Center.
6. Select Left in the dropdown. You need to notice that your Start menu has become back around the left side of your Taskbar.

When Microsoft announced Windows 11, users expected new features. They anticipated updates that bring together stability, speed, and an enhanced consumer experience. But before you lose the mind readily in waiting for the most recent operating system from Microsoft, take the time to find out if your PC is ready for that update.

If you take time to ascertain if your PC is ready, you are able to ease a lot of the anxiety round the update itself. There will, of course, be bugs, but knowing that your machine has the proper specs means understanding that, on paper, everything should run somewhat smoothly.

Let's see what's new, and the way to prepare for the update.

What Are We Looking forward to in Windows 11?

Redesigned Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool is really a handy screen capturing tool that Microsoft first introduced in Windows XP in 2005. With Windows 11, the Snipping Tool is set to merge with another screen capturing tool from, Snip & Sketch. The initial Win + Shift + S shortcut for Snip & Sketch will now use the Snipping Tool too.

New Look For the Calculator, Mail, And Calendar
Windows Calculator, Mail, and Calendar apps will now offer visually pleasing rounded corners. Theming is also possible now on these three apps, and maybe others. Users can choose a fresh change for every app, and theme them independently of the primary visual theme.

All-New Taskbar
Windows 11 includes a completely revamped taskbar that moves the beginning button and app icons front and center. The long-lasting Start button also gets a more straightforward look. It's now a square reduce four sections. However for those uncomfortable with changes with a of Windows' oldest, and most-loved features, they can revert them to their default look and location with just a few clicks.

Natively Accessible Android Apps
Android apps have always been accessible with Windows 10 because of the Your Phone app and Connect to Windows feature. Windows 11 takes mtss is a step further by letting you access your preferred Android apps natively, from your computer.

Having your PC Ready for Windows 11

Before you get too looking forward to the most recent Windows operating system, it's worth going for a moment to be sure it's ready for installation. Here's how we're preparing our PCs for that release of Windows 11.

Check Windows 11's Minimum Requirements

Based on Microsoft's website, here are the minimum specifications your pc will need to operate the new operating-system without issue. Sticking with Windows 11's Minimum Requirements should help to minimize problems after installing: lag, crashing applications, and hardware overexertion, for starters.

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with several cores on the compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
Memory: 4 Gigabytes RAM
Storage: 64 Gigabytes or larger storage device
System firmware: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, Secure Boot capable
TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Video card: DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x
Display: >9" with HD Resolution (720p)
Internet connection Microsoft account and internet connectivity required for setup for Windows 11 Home

You can manually check whether your pc passes these minimum requirements by going to Settings > System > About. Take a look at My Computer > Properties to check on storage and make sure you've enough room for that installer. Lastly, you may even want to take a look at Microsoft's PC Health Check app to check on your system compatibility in just one click.

Observe that these values are only minimums, meaning that a computer with exact specs may run Windows 11 at the lowest settings and minimum performance.

Backup Your PC
Updating to some later version of Windows happens to be somewhat stable and safe. But that's not to say issues never arise. There are always cases of corrupted (or deleted) files, crashing applications, or hardware failure with every round of updates. And for this reason, we wouldn't recommend proceeding with no stable backup you can revert to if things go awry. A cloud-based backup is usually fine, but when you want to go that step further...

Create a Recovery Drive for Windows 10

A Recovery Drive is really a USB device which you can use to access system recovery tools if issues arise out of your Windows 11 installation. You can use it to reinstall Windows 10, or perhaps an even older version of Windows. It's important to note that a recovery drive won't help you recover any corrupted or missing data. So, it is crucial to back up your files too.

Now that you have prepared your PC for Windows 11. Now you can install the brand new operating-system without the anxiety that generally accompanies big updates. If something wrong happens, you're in a great place to recover everything and go back to dealing with Windows 10.

The hotly anticipated native Whatsapp platform for Windows 11 (and Windows 10) is now available. Currently, there is a Whatsapp variant largely in line with the web version. Based on XDA Developers, the desktop app uses Electron, a framework that brings internet technologies to traditional app formats. Unfortunately, the performance substandard.

Now, Windows users can download a new dedicated WhatsApp desktop platform according to Universal Windows Platform (UWP), which inserts seamlessly one of the landscape of Windows 11's apps (h/t TechRadar).

How to get the brand new WhatsApp desktop app

If you want to explore the new Whatsapp desktop app on your own, here's how to begin.

1. Visit the Whatsapp Beta app within the Microsoft Store on this link.
2. Browse the System Requirements to see if your PC meets the necessities for downloading the app (you'll need Windows 10 version 18362.0 or higher).
3. Click "Get."
4. A small window can look prompting you to definitely open the Microsoft Store. Click on "Open the Microsoft Store."
5. A new window titled "Microsoft Store Preview" will appear. Click "Get" under WhatsApp Beta. This can launch the download, that ought to only take a couple of minutes.

To date, the Whatsapp Beta app has earned a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. "Really nice app, adding a long-needed functionality to WhatsApp," a reviewer named Tim said. "Dark mode would be even nicer."

Windows 11's Virtual Desktops are perfect for multitasking masters who'd enjoy juggling multiple desktops running applications independently from one another. With this particular feature, you are able to swap between virtual desktops to help you focus better on each number of tasks.

Windows 11, poised to produce on Oct. 5, will offer several additional features: better UI, integrated Android Apps, and more appearance settings, to name a few. It will likewise provide some of our favorite features from previous Windows versions, for example Virtual Desktops.

As Microsoft prepares to usher in a new era, perhaps it's about time that you, too, revivify your productivity if you take advantage of all the perks Virtual Desktops provides. Listed here are easy, step-by-step instructions regarding how to create and manage Virtual Desktops on Windows 11.

How to Produce a Virtual Desktop on Windows 11

1. To produce a new virtual desktop, hover your mouse pointer on or click the virtual desktops button in your taskbar.
2. From the menu shown at the bottom of your screen, click on the New desktop option. This action will immediately open a new virtual desktop without any active foreground applications.

How to Switch Between Virtual Desktops

1. Hover your mouse pointer on or click the virtual desktops button on your taskbar. This will open exactly the same menu for you in the guide above. However this time, you'll see multiple active desktop screens instead of one.
2. Click your selected virtual desktop to jump into it.

Alternatively, you are able to follow the steps below.

1. Press the Windows key and Tab on your keyboard simultaneously. This can open the Task View interface.
2. From the menu shown within the initial step, make use of your arrow secrets of select your chosen desktop.
3. Press the enter answer to jump for your selected desktop.

How to Close a Virtual Desktop

1. Hover your mouse pointer on or click on the virtual desktops button on your taskbar. You may also use Windows key + Tab to access the Task View interface.
2. Hover your mouse on the virtual desktop you wish to close. Doing so can have a close button at the top-left corner from the virtual desktop's thumbnail.
3. Click on the close button. After your virtual desktop is closed, all running foreground programs is going to be moved to the desktop immediately preceding it. Which means that you do not have to worry about accidentally closing your workflow.

The Start menu has received a massive overhaul in Windows 11, and since Microsoft presented the new operating system this past year, it's been working around the clock on further polishing the experience with this essential feature.

Windows 11 build 22567 continues the job about this front, with Microsoft explaining it has also included a brand new small animation to point you may create a folder when hovering one pinned app icon over another.

Because yes, the Start menu now permits the development of icon folders, though this really is now available only for users signed up for the Windows Insider program.

Simultaneously, this new build also has a number of additional fixes specifically aimed at the beginning menu.

"Fixed an issue affecting the reliability of the beginning menu opening. Fixed an issue where dragging a pinned app icon between pages of pinned apps wasn't working. Addressed an alignment problem with the greater button," the company explains.

Just one related known issue

So far as the known issues are concerned, you will find none specifically individuals Start menu, but on the other hand, Windows 11 build 22567 has a glitch that's pretty much related.

The Redmond-based software giant explains that right-clicking the Start menu could crash explorer.exe, making this why users have to stick to the shortcut to launch the job Manager for now.

"If you right click the Start icon within this build or press WIN + X, explorer.exe will probably crash. Please use CTRL + Shift + Esc for the moment if you use this menu to produce Task Manager," the organization says.

Each one of these changes are presently exclusive to insiders, but Microsoft will obviously roll out all improvements to production devices in a future OS update.

Microsoft keeps investing in the security feature arsenal of Windows 11, and the newest release on this front is really a new tool called Smart App Control.

As you can easily figure out given its straightforward name, this selection should really block the important of apps that could pose a menace to your pc.

The Redmond-based software giant doesn't provide a lot of specifics on SAC at this time, but at some level, it appears to become an evolved from the existing app protections already available in Windows.

Microsoft says that while this feature is rolling out to Windows insiders today, it can simply be enabled when the device performs a clear install.

No release date for production devices at this time

"Smart App Control (SAC) is a new security feature for Windows 11 that blocks untrusted or potentially dangerous applications. SAC can only be enabled on Windows devices that have performed a clear install with the latest Insider Preview build (Build 22567 and better)," the company explains.

"SAC is first configured in evaluation mode. While SAC is in evaluation mode, it will learn if it might help protect you without getting in your way an excessive amount of. If that's the case, it'll automatically be switched on. Otherwise, it will be switched off. While in evaluation mode, a person can manually switch on SAC within the Windows Security app under the App & Browser Control section. More details on this selection is going to be shared in the future."

As with every other feature that's being tested in the Dev channel, Smart App Control doesn't have an ETA for production devices, so theoretically, it could somewhat be pushed back around needed until Microsoft ensures things are working properly.

Users who enable this feature can configure it from Windows Security > App & browser control > Smart App Control.

The latest Windows 11 preview build includes improvements for that snapping experience (the one that made its debut last year with the launch from the operating-system).

If you're a Microsoft Edge user, Windows 11 preview build 22563, now available for Windows Insiders within the Dev channel, tabs are actually contained in the snap assist screen when snapping windows on screen.

Quite simply, when you wish to run two windows alongside, the snapping experience allows you to jump right to a particular tab in Microsoft Edge, as they are all displayed as thumbnails when snapping windows on the computer.

Microsoft, however, is aware of this might not be everybody's bag, therefore the company has additionally introduced a choice that allows users to disable this behavior when they wish to stick to that old behavior. In other words, you can continue to use the original snapping settings and stick with one Microsoft Edge window, with no choice of tabs displayed in the snapping UI.

Sticking with Microsoft Edge will work better

"We've made it easier still to snap probably the most relevant windows next to each other alongside by introducing Microsoft Edge tabs as suggested windows in snap assist. When a window is snapped, you'll now see 3 of your most recent Edge tabs shown (by default) as suggestions. You could control whether to show Microsoft Edge tabs and number of tabs shown when snapping or pressing ALT + TAB via Settings > System > Multitasking," Microsoft explains.

This is clearly a welcome improvement for Microsoft Edge users, and it once again implies that sticking with the native browser is something which makes more sense on Windows 11 thanks to its deep integration in to the operating-system.

The share of Microsoft Edge on the desktop is booming anyway, though according to third-party data, Google Chrome remains the key browser with approximately 70 percent market share using the pc alone.

Windows 11 brings a long-overdue makeover to Microsoft's operating system. From the beginning menu towards the taskbar is redesigned leaving little trace of Windows 10. However, to provide a simpler experience, Microsoft has altered several functions that longtime users are accustomed to, such as the tedious new volume controls. But, just in case you're discovering it difficult to get accustomed to Windows 11's appearance, you can personalize it to appear and feel a lot more like Windows 10.

Using third-party utilities and built-in options, you can restore many of Windows 11's updated elements to the Windows 10 style. Whether you're seeking to retrieve the classic Start menu or even the expanded right-click menus, these hacks have you covered. Here's how to begin.

Remove Windows 11 bloatware from taskbar

Windows 11 adds a number of new shortcuts to the taskbar, like Microsoft Teams and Widgets. That could be fine for some, but for others, the shortcuts are unnecessary bloatware. And right-clicking them, sadly, doesn't offer any way to simply get rid of these options. To be able to remove them and other offenders, you'll need to dive deep in to the system settings.

Check out Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Underneath the "Taskbar items" section, toggle off whichever icons you no longer want on your Taskbar.

Clean up and relocate the Windows 11 start menu towards the corner

The beginning menu has gotten an overhaul with Windows 11. It's also be a bit crowded. In addition to relocating to the core screen, it houses a bunch of new sections for the recently accessed files, most used apps, and more. There's an easy fix for this.

In order to restore the Start menu to its original position in the left bottom corner, you have to return to the Settings menu and go to taskbar personalization settings, and inside "Taskbar behaviours," select "Center" in the "Taskbar alignment" dropdown.

Similarly, to wash up the Start menu, visit Settings > Personalization > Start and turn from the folders you don't need.

Get the Windows 10 start menu on Windows 11

Not feeling the Windows 11 look? It's OK, with an app called Start11, it's easy to restore the Windows 10 Start menu design on Windows 11. Start11, in addition to the Windows 10 theme, enables you to select from a number of Start menu layouts, including Windows 7.

What's more, you are able to customize Start11's themes right down to the pixel. So once you have chosen, for example, the Windows 10 scheme, you are able to adjust its transparency, size, icon spacing, and accent colors. Plus, Start11 allows you to apply a custom theme on the taskbar. You will find the option to edit the taskbar's background transparency, reposition it to the top, and much more.

Alternatively, if you don't wish to pay, you can test Open Shell. Open Shell doesn't offer the same tools as Start11 and just comes with the classic Windows 7 Start menu theme.

Restore the Windows 10 taskbar on Windows 11

Windows 11 deploys a visually updated taskbar too. By doing this, though, Microsoft abandoned a bunch of handy functionality. Switching the amount output source, for instance, has become a multi-step process instead of just being a look away. If you're not really a fan of this, you can roll back many of Windows 11's taskbar changes using the StartAllBack program.

Like Start11, StartAllBack lets you swap the Windows 11 start menu because of its counterparts from Windows 7 and Windows 10. You are able to further adjust which apps are available in the beginning menu, including icon size and spacing and colors.

StartAllBack's highlight, though, is its taskbar personalization. It lets you patch most of the Windows 11 taskbar's shortcomings. You can refit it with the Windows 10 volume control, expanded context menu, the upcoming appointments view, and much more. Additionally, it offers a selection of customization tools to be able to affect the taskbar's look with custom themes.

Together with taskbar and Start menu settings, StartAllBack can undo Windows 11's updates for the file explorer too and switch the simplified command bar at the very top using the classic, expanded menu.

Obtain the classic context menu on Windows 11

Windows 11 no longer displays any pro options when you right-click personal files and compresses them in a new "Show more options" button. But if you're tired of dealing with that every time, you are able to restore the Windows 10 context menu with a quick registry hack.

Type "regedit" within the start menu and open the "Registry Editor" app. Within that, punch in "Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\" within the address bar at the very top and hit enter.

Right-click the "CLSID" folder and navigate to New > Key. Enter "86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2" within the key name field and save. Right-click this new entry you simply created, select New > Key again, and name it "InprocServer32."

Left-click "ImproServer32," as well as on the right pane, double-click the "default" item. In the following prompt, just click the "Ok" button without entering anything within the "Value data" field. Close the registry editor and reboot your computer. You're ready.

Windows 11 refreshes the beginning menu and taskbar with a new look, and while it looks more contemporary, it's vital that you understand how to change the Start menu and taskbar for future use. The centered position is simpler and fewer overwhelming, especially for first-time Windows users. But if you've been a Windows PC owner for a long time and were content with how things worked before, it is simple to change the Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar.

Because of built-in personalization options and third-party apps, it's possible to alter the new Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar's appearance just the way you want. Whether you'd prefer to restore Start to its original corner or hide new taskbar additions, like the widgets shortcut, we've got your back in this Windows 11 guide.

Edit the taskbar's alignment and shortcuts

The Windows 11 taskbar aligns your open and pinned apps' icons within the center and features a number of new shortcuts, including one for Microsoft Teams. But if you've got no use of these additions, you can switch to the Windows 10 design in the settings.

Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. In the Taskbar items section, you can select which buttons should be the dock. Similarly, you will find the choice to pick the shortcuts that are available from the corner overflow menu.

Under Taskbar behaviours, you can move back your icons left corner and edit whether apps on the taskbar should display unread count badges.

Resize the Windows 11 taskbar

Unlike macOS, Windows 11 doesn't let you resize the dock, and you're limited to the size that the software deems right for your screen's resolution. That might leave you with a taskbar that's either too small or large to your liking. Fortunately, an easy registry hack enables you to work through this limitation and modify the Windows 11 taskbar size.

Hit the Windows and R keys together, punch in regedit, and press enter.

Navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer > Advanced" from the listing of folders around the left.

Right-click Advanced in the left pane and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the brand new entry TaskbarSi.

The TaskbarSi item's value determines your taskbar's size. You've three sizes to select from: 0 for small, 1 for medium, and 2 for large. Double-click TaskbarSi and punch in one of these numbers to contract or enlarge the Windows 11 dock. Reboot your computer to apply the brand new changes.

Please be aware that since this is not an official method, some of your dock's icons may seem pixelated around the largest size mode because they're not optimized for it.

Theme the Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar

Automatically, the beginning menu and taskbar backgrounds on Windows 11 are either light or dark, based on your system preferences. If that's too dull for you personally, Windows 11 enables you to extend your system's theme and colours towards the taskbar.

Visit Settings > Personalization > Colors and toggle on Show accent color on Start and taskbar. The beginning menu and taskbar's backdrops will now feature your computer theme's dominant color.

Edit the Windows 11 Start menu's content

Aside from your installed programs, Windows 11's Start menu offers quick access to the apps you open the most and the ones you recently downloaded. Because of the Start menu's only a little space, this could, however, allow it to be more crowded than necessary and hard for you to find your pinned apps.

To edit exactly what the Start menu shows, check out Settings > Personalization > Start. Toggle from the sections you don't need and leave the rest as is.

In addition, you can unpin the apps you don't actively require for a cleaner Start. Simply right-click an app's icon in Start striking the Unpin from taskbar choice to do that.

Obtain the classic Start menu back with Start11

Microsoft only lets you personalize Windows 11's Start menu and taskbar to an extent. For more customization tools, you'll have to use a third-party app called Start11.

With Start11, you can swap the Windows 11 Start menu for a bunch of classic looks, such as the one from Windows 7. Additionally, it allows you to adjust the Start menu's layout precisely, fine-tune its transparency in addition to colors, add shortcuts to settings you access the most, relocate it towards the corner or even the top, and much more.

Start11 also brings back some taskbar functionality Windows 11 has removed. You are able to, for example, add some context menu, which previously you could access by right-clicking the taskbar. Plus, with Start11, it is simple to adjust the taskbar's size without diving in to the registry.

Start11 happens to be in beta and requires a one-time $4.99 fee.