Windows 11's release date is October 5, 2021

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The release date of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 11 operating system is October 5, 2021. Microsoft announced the date today on the Windows Experience blog. The new version of Windows will become available for compatible Windows 10 devices and also as a preload on devices such as PCs and laptops. Not all devices that are available right now are compatible with Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system. Check out our guide on making sure that a new PC or laptop is compatible with Windows 11.

Not all Windows 10 devices will receive the offer to upgrade to Windows 11 as Microsoft plans to use a phased rollout to better monitor upgrades. According to Microsoft, new devices will be offered the upgrade first. It will then become available to other devices gradually, provided that these devices meet the Windows 11 system requirements.

Microsoft estimates that it will take until mid-2022 before all Windows 10 devices that are eligible for the upgrade to receive it via Windows Updates. Windows 10 users may run the company's own PC Health Check tool to verify if a device is compatible with Windows 11.

While it will be possible to install Windows 11 on devices that don't meet all of the system requirements, it won't happen via Windows Updates. Windows administrators may use direct installs to install the new operating system, provided that some requirements, such as enough free storage space, are met.

Microsoft did not provide details on the upgrade path, and it seems unlikely that the company will do so considering that it wants Windows 11 devices to meet certain requirements that ensure a better user experience (and less support issues for the company). Instructions will become available on third-party sites, like ours, once Windows 11 is released.

If a Windows 10 system is eligible, updates will become available under Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Microsoft's post lists Windows 11 highlights.
 

1. The new design and sounds are modern, fresh, clean and beautiful, bringing you a sense of calm and ease.
   
2. With Start, we’ve put you and your content at the center. Start utilizes the power of the cloud and Microsoft 365 to show you your recent files no matter what device you were viewing them on.
   
3. Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktops provide an even more powerful way to multitask and optimize your screen real estate.
   
4. Chat from Microsoft Teams integrated into the taskbar provides a faster way to connect to the people you care about.
   
5. Widgets, a new personalized feed powered by AI, provides a faster way to access the information you care about, and with Microsoft Edge’s world class performance, speed and productivity features you can get more done on the web.
   
6. Windows 11 delivers the best Windows ever for gaming and unlocks the full potential of your system’s hardware with technology like DirectX12 Ultimate, DirectStorage and Auto HDR. With Xbox Game Pass for PC or Ultimate you get access to over 100 high-quality PC games to play on Windows 11 for one low monthly price. (Xbox Game Pass sold separately.)
   
7. Windows 11 comes with a new Microsoft Store rebuilt with an all-new design making it easier to search and discover your favorite apps, games, shows, and movies in one trusted location. We look forward to continuing our journey to bring Android apps to Windows 11 and the Microsoft Store through our collaboration with Amazon and Intel; this will start with a preview for Windows Insiders over the coming months.
   
8. Windows 11 is the most inclusively designed version of Windows with new accessibility improvements that were built for and by people with disabilities.
   
9. Windows 11 unlocks new opportunities for developers and creators. We are opening the Store to allow more developers and independent software vendors (ISVs) to bring their apps to the Store, improving native and web app development with new developer tools, and making it easier for you to refresh the look and feel across all our app designs and experiences.
   
10. Windows 11 is optimized for speed, efficiency and improved experiences with touch, digital pen and voice input.
    
11. Windows 11 is the operating system for hybrid work, delivering new experiences that work how you work, are secure by design, and easy and familiar for IT to deploy and manage. Businesses can also test Windows 11 in preview today in Azure Virtual Desktop, or at general availability by experiencing Windows 11 in the new Windows 365.
    

Closing Words

Windows 11 will be released on October 5, 2021. Most Windows 10 devices won't receive the update offer right away, either because they are not compatible at all with Windows 11, or because they are not in the first batch of devices that will receive the upgrade offer.

It is usually a good idea to wait with upgrades, as new releases may introduce bugs and issues that take some time to get fixed. If you plan to upgrade right away, it is highly advised to create a system backup first before you do so.

Now You: is your device compatible with Windows 11? Will you upgrade?
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