Windows 11 release date 5 October
News|31 August 2021
Microsoft has announced that the release date for Windows 11 is 5 October 2021. From this date, Microsoft will roll out a free upgrade to Windows 11 to eligible Windows 10 PCs and make available for purchase PCs pre-loaded with Windows 11.
Highlights from the release
• A new fresh look for a more intuitive user experience.
• Updated Start function that pulls your recent files no matter what device you were last viewing them on.
• New features like Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktops make it easier for you to customise your screen layouts and multitask.
• Microsoft Teams is integrated into the taskbar for more streamlined communication.
• Widgets provide a faster way for you to access the information you care about, powered by AI.
• New accessibility improvements including sound schemes, colour schemes to make content easier to see, redesigned Closed Caption themes, Voice Typing, and more. Both Microsoft and partner assistive technologies can work with applications like Outlook hosted in the cloud, in Azure Virtual Desktop.
The outlook for developers
• A new and improved Microsoft Store making it easier to search and discover apps. Through a collaboration with Amazon and Intel, Microsoft is continuing to bring Android Apps to Windows 11 and the store.
• New developer tools will better support native and web app development.
• There is dedicated support to make sure that your applications continue to work on Windows 11. App Assure helps customers with 150 or more users fix any app issues at no additional cost. Test Base for Microsoft 365 also allows you to test business-critical applications for compatibility with Windows 11.
Further reading
See our previous news item for a compilation of useful links including Business FAQs and What Windows 11 Means for Developers.
Talk to us about Windows 11
If you’d like to find out more about the opportunities that Windows 11 presents for you, join us at ISV Partner Day this October where we will be hosting a session following the 5 October release. A speaker from Microsoft will be answering your questions on how you can update your existing apps and create brand new experiences with the Windows App SDK.
Contact Grey Matter
If you have any questions or want some extra information, complete the form below and one of the team will be in touch ASAP. If you have a specific use case, please let us know and we'll help you find the right solution faster.
By submitting this form you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Website Terms of Use.
Related News
Three powerful ways to integrate Azure Maps and why ISVs should care
The ISV Challenge ISVs face pressure to deliver smarter, faster, location-aware solutions. In logistics, mobility, retail, and field services, geospatial intelligence is now a competitive edge. But integrating mapping technology can be complex, costly, and hard to scale. That’s where...
Firewall first: Blocking ransomware before it hits
Why blocking ransomware is important The average recovery cost following a ransomware attack has soared to over £2 million, according to Sophos’ latest State of Ransomware Report. More than a third of victimised businesses take longer than a month to...
Endpoint security essentials: What every business should know
How can you enhance your endpoint security layer? In episode four of our Seven Layers of Security miniseries, we unpack the critical role the endpoint security layer plays in modern layered defence strategies. From laptops to mobile devices, endpoints are...
Network security: The silent defender
It’s not just firewalls – your network security layer does more than you think In episode three of our seven layers of security podcast miniseries, we dive deep into the network security layer; the silent defender that underpins your entire...