Windows 11 - This changes...well, something. Definitely not everything.

 

We interrupt this blog's trip down memory lane with exciting news: Windows 11 is releasing later in 2021.

I won't be doing a (p)review or cover of the new OS. I'm not going to be expanding new features and changes, for better or for worse, or doing an under the hood explanation of what I do understand. For one, I'm not qualified to do so. If this is what you're after, I wholeheartedly suggest Linus or Marques.

What I will be doing is doing a quick rundown, how to check your PC (and fix any incompatibility issues) and a quick look.

So.

The most important thing you need to know: Microsoft have been on a roll lately, and it's unlikely that Windows 11 will be dropping the ball the way Windows 8, Vista or Windows Me did.

At a first glance, Windows 11 look like the bastard child of MacOS and Windows, with a healthy dose of Ubuntu UI features in there.

Let's get this one thing straight: it looks pretty gorgeous.

Let's get another thing straight: Windows users are not fans of change.

It's unclear as of now if Windows 11 will natively allow the start button to be moved to the left for a more traditional Windows look, but you can bet your ass this will be done, by third party software at the very least.

Other than the desktop environment, Windows will behave more or less as Windows 10 did. However, this iteration promises lessons learned from the development of Xbox Series X in optimising the way your OS takes advantage of the hardware to boast improved performance and more of a squeeze from what you already have. 

What this means in theory: your current PC will run games better with Windows 11 than it did with Windows 10 (or Wine in Linux). Like, much better.

Speaking of your current PC, some good news.

Windows 11 will be a free upgrade to all Win 10 users so long as the PC is compatible. In essence, and in keeping with Microsoft's approach of Windows as a service, you can technically also use your Windows 7 or Windows 8 key to upgrade to 10 and from that to 11 without having to buy anything as well.

However, the PC being compatible is the tricky part.

The specs itself are not the issue, and are in fact perfectly reasonable.

Before we break these down, you can download the official tool that checks your rig and lets you know if your PC is eligible for a free upgrade directly from Microsoft here

Did you spot the fly in the ointment? Yes? Good for you.

For whoever didn't, it's TPM.

TPM (Trusted Partner Module) is, in layman's terms, a security protocol that most home PCs (and definitely most gaming rigs) don't have on by default.

This generally translates to a separate chip added to your PC, or already existing as part of another chipset in your existing hardware.

Luckily,  all of Intel and AMD CPUs from the last 5 years or so should theoretically include this, and all it needs is some BIOS rummaging to enable this if it's not already enabled (IPTT option for Intel CPUs, fTPM for AMD).

Mentioning this here because apparently TPM is the most common reason your PC may fail the official Microsoft check tool mentioned above, and the tool is infuriatingly vague in letting you know why your PC falls short, instead suggesting you simply get a new computer.

So don't despair; your rig is probably going to be ok. Don't consider chucking it and getting a new one just yet.

However, once you make sure your PC actually meets the quota, you'll be greeted with this image:

And let's get one final thing straight: PC gamers are fans both of increased performance as well as free.