Microsoft had been working on a Windows 10X version for dual-screen devices, but the project was scrapped. Instead, the corporation is moving straight to Windows 11. The upcoming OS has previously been teased on Microsoft’s Twitter page. And ahead of its official release, Windows 11 was leaked online.
The new version of Windows was first featured in screenshots published on the Chinese platform Baidu. Tom Warren, a senior editor at The Verge, followed up on these screenshots with actual early previews. If you’ve experienced Windows 10X, the Windows 11 should feel like a mild tweak more than a visual overhaul.
The first UI change to note is the new taskbar layout. The icons are now centered, including the Start and Search menus. You can switch to the classic left-aligned menu if you don’t like the new default. A subtle animation livens up these icons when you interact with them. The frosted glass aesthetic is seen across the OS.
The Start menu no longer features Live Tiles, and the power button has been moved to a quieter corner. Windows also have rounded corners. The Dark Mode feels more polished now. Plus, Windows 11 brings back the classic widgets like news and weather updates.
Mr. Warren reports that Windows 11 comes with a new startup sound. Microsoft has also redesigned most of the icons, following a modern and colorful design language.
There’s not much to say in terms of functionality, except for the new snap control feature. Built into the minimize and maximize buttons, this widget lets you tile or cascade windows conveniently. Windows 11 is the biggest OS update of the decade, and Microsoft is holding an event on June 24 to unveil it.