This guide will take you through some of the most important changes and new features that Windows 11 has to offer and help you easily transition to Windows 11.
Taskbar and Start Menu
The Taskbar in Windows 11 is now centered at the bottom of the screen, with the Start button and Search button on the left-hand side:
Clicking the Start button (the Windows icon) will open up the new Start Menu where you will see a Search bar, Pinned Applications, and a button for viewing All Apps at the top:
AIT Tip: You can Pin and Unpin applications from this menu by right-clicking on their icon in the Start menu.
At the bottom of the window, you will see the logged-in user and the power button, which will allow you to log off, shut down, or reboot your computer:
File Explorer
The File Explorer in Windows 11 remains largely unchanged. However, they have simplified the top actions menu (highlighted in red,) by removing some of the buttons from the top menu and removing the text for each button:
AIT Tip: Want to know what each action button does? Simply hover over one of the buttons at the top!
System Tray
The System Tray can be found at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, in the same location as on Windows 10:
Opening the System Tray will now give you more easily accessible settings that you can quickly change, including WiFi and Bluetooth connection, screen brightness, sound settings, and more:
Snap Layouts
Snap layouts are a new Windows 11 feature to help introduce users to the power of window snapping.
Docs.microsoft.com
A new feature in Windows 11 is Snap Layouts for your open applications. With an app open, simply hover over the button that used to be the “Maximize” button, and you will see a menu of layout options:
Click one of the given options and it will “Snap” your application into that space on your screen and let you select other applications to fill in the rest of your space:
This is a great feature for multitasking!
FAQs
The only changes that most users will encounter are aesthetic/layout changes.
If you are familiar with Windows 10, Windows 11 shouldn’t feel too foreign to you after some experience with it.
All current TechBuy accessories found here will work with both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
If you would like to get a better idea of your computer(s) status, please use our AgriLife Computer Inventory Dashboard to view our most updated data on your computer.
If you are still unsure after reviewing the information on our dashboard, please reach out to FirstCall with any questions.
Do you have a question about Windows 11?
Ask us at itanswers@ag.tamu.edu!
Additional Resources
Windows 11 Resources on YouTube
Windows 11 Written Resources
- How to use Windows 11 – Tutorial for Beginners
- Windows 11 Tips and Tricks to help you get the best out of its features
- How to customize and use Windows 11 Explorer
- How to customize Windows 11 Start Menu
LinkedIn Learning Windows 11 Resources
Learn Windows 11 from Windows 11 Essential Training
Click here to see the entire AgriLife IT Recommended Windows 11 Resources Collection on LinkedIn Learning.
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