(Video) WHY YOU SHOULDN'T BE INSTALLING WINDOWS 11 + SPOILED SURPRISE
Yesterday, multiple screenshots of Microsoft's upcoming Windows update leaked online. This was followed up by an ISO leak, allowing users to install and use Windows 11 ahead of the official announcement. And this what I would like to tell you — DO NOT INSTALL THIS BUILD AS IT MAY CONTAIN MALWARE AND OTHER SECURITY ISSUES!
IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER:
Don't you please install this leaked, pre-release build! Someone leaked this and spoiled all the surprise for everyone. Until the 24th, we shouldn't be discussing anything publicly that is not an official Microsoft information.
But since it is already online, here is a quick look at the "new Windows OS" for you. Remember, online safety is everyone's responsibility, therefore don't share anything that has not been officially confirmed!!!!!
USING VIRTUAL MACHINES FOR THIS PURPOSE IS FINE, BUT...
I installed the leaked Windows 11 build 21996.1, so you don't have to (and don't do that!) and took it for a test drive. While the installation UI is still the same as it has been since Windows 7, Microsoft has completely overhauled the setup UI. Windows 11 setup includes the same steps as Windows 10, but with nice round corners on an off-white background that will look familiar to anyone who has used a MacOS.
While the setup screen shares some resemblance with MacOS, the desktop will look familiar to those who followed Windows 10X development closely before its untimely demise. When Microsoft ditched Windows 10X, the Redmond giant said that it plans to bring elements of Windows 10X to Windows 10. The most noticeable changes on the desktop are the taskbar at the bottom and the start menu. Both these changes are inspired by Windows 10X. The taskbar now has open app icons in the middle instead of being left aligned. The same is true for the start menu and search as both now occupy the middle part of the screen instead of opening to the left of the display.
Apart from these, I also checked out other first-party apps, but those are carrying the same design. So, apps like Mail and Calendar, Calculator, Photos and Microsoft Store carry the same design as they had on Windows 10. The same goes for Windows Settings as well. Moving on to the File Manager, it looks the same as it did on Windows 10 but has the updated icons for folders. Microsoft has also updated the icons on the Action Center and those too are now rounded and look much better than the current Action Center. Another noticeable change on the desktop is the inclusion of widgets. Currently, the section opens a version of News and Interests widget that was introduced to Windows 10 earlier this year. Microsoft has also updated the task view with rounded corners and a better look that is more in line with the new UI.
Once Windows 11 was installed, I received two new updates from Microsoft. The first one was a generic update for Windows Defender but the second one was a cumulative update KB5004034 for Windows 10 Version Next.
Lastly, Microsoft has also included new startup and notification sounds for Windows 11 and there are new open and close animation for apps. The new animations were introduced in Windows 10 Insider Builds so Microsoft has tested those for some time now.
A HINT FROM MICROSOFT TO PREPARE FOR THE JUNE 24 EVENT
It seems the leaks did not go by unnoticed from Microsoft too, who tweeted that "This is just the Start." Yes, it's clear that this is a super early, internal build, it isn't uncommon for new Windows versions to use a base from the previous version to start off, in this case a 'prettyified' copy of Windows 10 with elements borrowed from Windows 10X.
AND DON'T YOU SHARE ANYTHING BEFORE THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
I have installed and tested this on a virtual machine, but I won't be sharing any details with you until the official announcement date, June 24! Nobody can confirm ANYTHING at this point. These are all rumours and speculations, so just be patient, especially that the "What's next for Windows" event is around the corner!