Windows 11: News, Announcements And Analysis

Microsoft is set to launch Windows 11 into general availability on Oct. 5, marking the first Windows overhaul in six years. While the new operating system will offer major improvements over Windows 10 on user interface, productivity features and security, Windows 11 is also arriving with stringent hardware requirements – and in the midst of a component shortage. Ultimately, Windows 11 is creating both opportunities and complications for solution providers.

Windows 11: Here Are The 10 Biggest New Features
The new operating system, the successor to Windows 10, will offer a revamped user interface and bring the Teams collaboration app front and center.

Review: Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8 Gets It Right
The verdict from the CRN Test Center: The redesigned Surface Pro 2-in-1 is a pleasure to use, with a larger display, zippy performance, Windows 11 UI improvements and a superb digital pen.

Microsoft: Unsupported PCs May Not Get Windows 11 Security Updates
The new operating system, the successor to Windows 10, will offer a revamped user interface and bring the Teams collaboration app front and center.

Review: Windows 11 Brings Refreshing Design, Improved Productivity And Some Questionable Changes
While the UI overhaul and new productivity features are largely welcome, Microsoft also restricts customizability in a number of new ways in Windows 11.

Microsoft Exec: Windows 11 CPU Requirements Allow Key Security Features To Run ‘By Default’
Intel’s eighth-gen chips and up enable optimal performance for virtualization-based security, which is automatically turned on in Windows 11, Microsoft’s director of OS and enterprise security, David Weston, tells CRN. And that represents one of the big advancements for Windows 11 over Windows 10 on security, Weston says.

Windows 11: Partners Expect Compatible Apps, ‘Smooth’ Transition From Windows 10
“No one’s had the ‘blue screen of death,’” says one solution provider executive, whose firm has been testing out the new operating system. Upgrading existing PCs to Windows 11 shouldn’t be nearly as risky as the previous move to Windows 10, partners told CRN. The second of a three-part series on Windows 11.

Windows 11: Partners Say It’s A ‘Smart Play’ By Microsoft To Put Security First
While stringent hardware requirements will prevent many PCs from installing Windows 11, the verdict from solution providers is that the security advantages of TPM 2.0 and newer processors are worth it. The third of a three-part series on Windows 11.

Windows 11: Partners See Complications In Rollout Amid PC Shortages
While solution providers see abundant opportunities and benefits for users with Windows 11, Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements combined with supply constraints may slow the deployment of the operating system. The first of a three-part series on Windows 11.

Microsoft: Windows 11 Arrives Oct. 5 As A Free Upgrade
Along with the upgrade for eligible PCs, Windows 11 will also debut on new devices starting that day, Microsoft said.

Lenovo’s Vladimir Rozanovich On Windows 11, Taking Market Share And The ‘One Lenovo’ Rollout
The recently appointed president of Lenovo’s North America business shares how the company is seeking to unify its PC and data center sides to increase growth opportunities for partners.

Microsoft Now Says Windows 11 TPM Requirement Is For Version 2.0
The company has updated its documentation to say that its previous guidance on the minimum TPM security requirements was incorrect, and that TPM 1.2 is no longer considered to be sufficient.

Microsoft’s 5 Biggest Windows 11 Updates
‘This is the first version of a new era of Windows. We‘re building for the next decade and beyond,’ says Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Here are five of the most important updates to Windows 11.

5 Things To Know About Microsoft’s Windows 11 Security Strategy
Microsoft is moving to a zero trust security approach across all of its platforms, including with stringent Windows 11 CPU requirements.

Microsoft Partners: Windows 11 Is An ‘Important’ Update For Security, Productivity, Collaboration
Solution providers also praised the move to shift Windows 11 to a once-a-year feature update schedule from twice-a-year feature updates with Windows 10.

Microsoft Unveils Windows 11 With Direct Teams Integration, New UI
The new operating system, the successor to Windows 10, will offer a revamped user interface and bring the Teams collaboration app front and center.