INTHEBLACK November 2021 - Magazine - Page 72
WORK SMART
// T E C H TA L K
In Windows 11, Start
has moved to the
centre of the taskbar.
STORY GLENN REES
WHAT’S NEW IN
WINDOWS 11
THE N EW O PER AT I NG SYSTEM CO NTAI N S M OR E TOOLS
FOR FLEXIBILITY AND H Y B RI D WO RK.
W
indows 11, Microsoft says, “is the
operating system for hybrid work
and learning”. It will enable us to
“work or learn at home, in the office or at
school, and everywhere in between”.
The truth is, Windows 10, along with macOS
and other modern operating systems (OS),
already allows us to work, learn and entertain
ourselves from anywhere. Nevertheless,
Microsoft’s latest operating system offers
several improvements to help us use our
computers in more flexible ways, more easily.
Here are some of those improvements,
along with other changes to Microsoft’s latest
operating system.
THE REVAMPED INTERFACE
The first thing you’ll notice about Windows 11
is the more modern, less cluttered interface.
Some pundits say the design borrows from
Apple’s macOS or Google’s Chrome OS.
72 ITB November 2021
Above: With Windows 365,
employees can access their
apps, data and Windows
settings on any device.
However, for the most part, Windows users
will find most things work much the same as
in the previous version, with one major change
– the Start menu has moved to the centre of
the taskbar, at the bottom.
Microsoft says the design choice is
intended to make it “easier to quickly find
what you need”, but those who disagree
can move the menu back to its traditional
position on the left.
Windows 11 also aims to improve the
experience when using touch or a pen on a
tablet, by adding bigger touch targets, more
gestures and other enhancements.
The new OS also sees the return of widgets,
allowing you to bring the news and other
information of your choice to the desktop.
Desktops features. They offer more powerful
ways to multitask applications and customise
the way you work.
Windows has allowed users to organise
and “snap” windows into place for some time.
Snap Layouts offers more ways to arrange
windows, while Snap Groups “remembers” the
apps and layouts you are using, so you can
return to that group easily later.
These features are particularly useful for
switching between using a laptop screen and
an external monitor, or multiple monitors.
Desktops allow you to create a custom
environment for each part of your life – for
example, you can have different desktop
layouts for work or gaming.
A CUSTOMISED WORKSPACE
Microsoft’s Your Phone app already allows
you to connect your smartphone to your
computers and receive notifications, send SMS
Among the more useful changes in Windows 11
are new Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and
SUPPORTING ANDROID APPS