Windows 11 is the latest operating system to be released by Microsoft, and while it’s not vastly different from Windows 10, there are some notable changes that most users should be aware of before they decide to upgrade.

The new iteration of Microsoft’s famous operating system has been criticised heavily for many of the decisions that the company has made, while others have praised how much more intuitive it is than its predecessor. Here we will look at the main pros and cons of Windows 11.

The Pros:

• Android Apps

One of the most appealing new features of Windows 11 is that it will be able to run Android Apps natively. This is obviously a much-desired feature in a world where more and more people are asking for seamless interactivity between the devices they use. It should be noted, however, that the apps will not be available from Google’s Play Store, but rather the app store that’s offered by Amazon.

• Teams Integration

Microsoft Teams has become one of the most popular collaboration suites in the workforce, and many businesses around the world rely on it for a multitude of functions. Microsoft has taken Teams one step further by integrating it directly into Windows 11, making it easier than ever to use. This is a feature that might be especially appealing for those that are now working from home indefinitely.

• Windows Snap Upgrade

One of the most called-for features in Windows has been an improved snap system, allowing users to organise their application windows to better suit their workflow. And Microsoft has done just that, with huge overall improvements to their snap layouts, making for a cleaner workspace in general, and one that might help improve productivity.

The Cons:

• Modern Processors

Something that was immediately met with heavy criticism when it was announced, Microsoft made it clear that only a certain few generations of CPU would be able to support Windows 11. Although they say that it’s because of security reasons, they also confirmed that the operating system will not be able to work on hundreds of millions of devices around the world. At the moment, it’s believed that processors released before 2018 will not be supported by Windows 11, meaning that it might be not be possible to use it on older laptops, even if they’re just used for simple office works or the occasional round of real money pokies for mobile devices.

• Forced Account Creation

Creating a Microsoft account in Windows 10 was not mandatory, and a user was able to use the computer without one. But this is changing with Windows 11, where users will be forced to create a Microsoft account in order for the OS to even work. Many people have voiced their concerns as they believe that buying an operating system should make it usable, and that Microsoft is slowly turning it into an always-online service rather than a product.

• Privacy Issues

Online privacy has become a serious problem in recent times, and Microsoft is one of the worst offenders. Windows 10 is known for collecting large amounts of data from its users, but it’s expected that this data harvesting will be ramped up with Windows 11, especially considering that it won’t function without a connection to the internet. For the privacy-conscious, this might be enough of an issue to turn them away from Windows forever.