Screenshots of Windows 11 have leaked online, provided an early look at the direction Microsoft is headed with its next major OS update. This leak comes just a few days before Microsoft is set to unveil Windows 11 to the masses.
There's been a lot of talk and excitement surrounding Windows 11 over the past few weeks. Microsoft first began stirring the pot in late May during its annual developer conference, teasing that the 'next generation of Windows' was coming soon. This was followed by the Windows Twitter account announcing an upcoming Microsoft event for June 24 at 11:00 AM, accompanied by a teaser image showing a Windows silhouette resembling the number 11. As if that wasn't enough to signal a new Windows version was coming, Microsoft also updated its support website with an official retirement date for Windows 10 — signaling that support for the OS will end in 2025.
Following all of that, leaked screenshots of Windows 11 have now appeared on Chinese social network Baidu. There are two screenshots in particular, the first of which shows the Windows 11 home screen with the settings app opened. As avid Windows users will notice, the biggest change is that the taskbar is now centered (just like ChromeOS and macOS). This is where app shortcuts will live, in addition to the Start menu. While the functionality of the taskbar is virtually unchanged, the updated placement does give Windows 11 an immediately different appearance. The settings app also shows the Windows edition as 'Windows 11 Pro.'
Perhaps even more noteworthy is the all-new Start menu. It's been completely redesigned compared to Windows 10, showing a list of pinned apps, recommended apps, and a power menu shortcut to turn off or restart the computer. This is substantially cleaner than the Start menu in Windows 10, which shows an apps list, pinned apps, Live Tiles, and many other settings shortcuts. While some could argue that this Start menu for Windows 11 is a bit too simple, it's also much more welcoming and user-friendly than what's available today.
XDA Developers also shared its own batch of Windows 11 screenshots. While they largely reiterate the changes seen above, they provide an even closer look at some of the smaller changes users can expect. There will apparently be a new search bar in the Start menu to search for apps, documents, images, and even results on the web. XDA also discovered a fresh coat of paint for the Files app, new widgets that will likely replace Live Tiles, and a heap of customization options for the taskbar.
While there's likely a lot more to Windows 11 than what's seen here, these screenshots provide a better idea of what to expect from the update. For everything Windows 10 does well, it can also feel a bit daunting at times. Making the operating system more accessible would be money well spent. Based on everything revealed so far, it certainly appears Microsoft has achieved that. More details on Windows 11 will be here once that June 24 event arrives, so stay tuned for plenty of additional info coming very soon.
Source: Baidu, XDA Developers
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June 16, 2021 at 12:03AM
