December 2021 Newsletter

What's new in Windows 11- Mandi Ohlinger, Microsoft

Windows 11 is the next client operating system, and includes features that organizations should know. Windows 11 is built on the same foundation as Windows 10. If you use Windows 10, then Windows 11 is a natural transition and update to what you know, and what you're familiar with.

It offers innovations focused on enhancing end-user productivity, and is designed to support today's hybrid work environment.

Your investments in update and device management are carried forward. For example, many of the same apps and tools can be used in Windows 11. Many of the same security settings and policies can be applied to Windows 11 devices, including PCs. You can use Windows Autopilot with a zero touch deployment to enroll your Windows devices in Microsoft Endpoint Manager. You can also use newer features, such as Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 on your Windows 11 devices.

Customize the desktop experience

Snap Layouts, Snap Groups: When you open an app, hover your mouse over the minimize/maximize option. When you do, you can select a different layout for the app:

This feature allows users to customize the sizes of apps on their desktop. And, when you add other apps to the layout, the snapped layout stays in place.

When you add your apps in a Snap Layout, that layout is saved in a Snap Group. In the taskbar, when you hover over an app in an existing snap layout,

it shows all the apps in that layout. This feature is the Snap Group. You can select the group, and the apps are opened in the same layout. As you add more Snap Groups, you can switch between them just by selecting the Snap Group.

Users can manage some snap features using the Settings app > System > Multitasking.

Start menu: The Start menu includes some apps that are pinned by default. You can customize the Start menu layout by pinning (and unpinning) the apps you want. For example, you can pin commonly used apps in your organization, such as Outlook, Microsoft Teams, apps your organization creates, and more.

Users can manage some Start menu features using the Settings app > Personalization.

Taskbar: You can also pin (and unpin) apps on the Taskbar. For example, you can pin commonly used apps in your organization, such as Outlook, Microsoft Teams, apps your organization creates, and more.

Users can manage some Taskbar features using the Settings app > Personalization.

Widgets: Widgets are available on the Taskbar. It includes a personalized feed that could be weather, calendar, stock prices, news, and more:

You can enable/disable this feature using the Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\widgets Group Policy. You can also deploy a customized Taskbar to devices in your organization.

Virtual desktops: On the Taskbar, you can select the Desktops icon to create a new desktop:

Use the desktop to open different apps depending on what you're doing. For example, you can create a Travel desktop that includes web sites and apps that are focused on travel.

Users can manage some desktop features using Settings app > System > Multitasking.