Getting Started with Windows 11

 

 

 

Desktop/File Explorer

 

The instant you login to Windows 11, you’ll see Microsoft made a few changes visually. All of the windows and icons are now more colorful and rounded. Functionally though, little has changed. Notice how apart from the colors/icons, the File Explorer window above has the same layout we’re used to. The icons on the desktop are just like before.

 

Start Menu

 

The Start Menu has also changed a bit. You’ll see there are no tiles as were in Windows 10, and an extra step is required to view all of your apps in alphabetical order as before. Notice the All apps button at the top-right of the menu above.

 

Taskbar

 

The first change you’ll see in Windows 11 visually is that the taskbar alignment has been changed to the center, to look and feel more like a Mac. This can be changed back though, to make it more like the Windows taskbar we’re used to:

 

Right-click on the taskbar to see this menu and choose Taskbar settings

Taskbar Menu

 

When you see this screen, choose Taskbar behaviors

Taskbar Settings

 

Under Taskbar behaviors, you can see Taskbar alignment allows us to change to the left as before. Notice how all of the icons and the Start Menu/Search box have been moved left below.

Taskbar Behaviors

 

Unfortunately, with the new Windows 11 taskbar we are no longer able to attach it to the sides or top of the screen.

 

Date/Time and Notifications

 

Another rather big change in Windows 11 is combining the date/time with Notifications.
When you click on the time, you now see both together on the left side of the screen.
To see the calendar like before, notice the arrow button ^ next to the date in the tray above.
Also, Windows 11 now has a Focus mode (see the timer/button), which hides notifications for a chosen amount of time.

 

See this Microsoft page for more information about Focus
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-use-focus-in-windows-11-cbcc9ddb-8164-43fa-8919-b9a2af072382

 

 

 

 

Copilot

 

With Windows 11, you can now try out Copilot, a built-in AI assistant similar to Cortana from Windows 10. Copilot is more advanced. Look for the colorful icon on the bottom-right of your screen next to the date and time. To hide this feature, see the Taskbar Settings image above and turn the slider off.

 

 

1. Settings

Main Settings

 

The main Settings app on Windows 11 looks quite different from the one in Windows 10, with a more compact categories column and some quick options on the main page. You may also sign into your Microsoft account (your PRG email address), although this is not necessary as your apps will already be logged in/licensed.

 

Quick Tray

 

Likely the most apparent functional change you’ll encounter with Windows 11 is the way you connect to wifi and bluetooth, or adjust your brightness and volume.

On Windows 10, you would simply click on the wifi symbol and choose a network. On Windows 11, clicking on the wifi/sound/battery icons will open this quick access tray. 

In the image above, you can see that now wifi, bluetooth, screen brightness, and volume are all shown at once. Clicking on the > arrow next to wifi or bluetooth will allow you to choose networks or devices.
To customize which additional features are shown in this tray (e.g. Airplane mode), use the pencil icon shown at the bottom-right corner of the popout.

 

 

To connect to wifi:

 

Click the > arrow next to the wifi symbol (shown in Quick Tray image above).
From this point, the process is exactly the same as we’re used to.
Choose a network from the list and enter your password.

Wifi Networks

 

 

 

For those of us that use the VPN to connect to the PRG network when working remotely, the connection process has altered slightly.
 

To connect to the VPN:

 

Open the menu shown in the Quick Tray image above.
If you do not see the VPN button, click on the pencil icon to edit this tray.

When the edit options appear, click the + Add button to add the VPN tile and click Done.

Edit Quick Tray

 

 

Open the VPN tile and click on the appropriate option. If/when prompted, your username/email address and computer password should allow you to connect as before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snipping Tool

 

 The Snipping Tool is one of our most-used apps. It appears quite different than the one in Windows 10, but it still works great. In the picture above, you can see the hotkey combination (Windows + Shift + S), which will pop up the bar shown below. You may also use the PrtSc or PrtScrn button on your keyboard.

 

 

Snipping Bar

 

As you can see, there are a few options for how to capture your snip. You can use a box, a free-drawn outline, a window, or the entire screen (shown left-to-right above).

 

Snipping Popup

 

When the snip has been captured, you’ll see this popup in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Click it to edit and/or save the snip.

 

Snipping Save

 

When you’re done editing your snip, or if you just want to save it, click the save (diskette) icon at the top right of the window and save as normal.

 

 

 

 

Desktop Right-Click Menu

 

Another small change is how the right-click menu appears, particularly on the desktop. To see a more classic view of this menu, simply click Show more options at the bottom. See below, the view looks like that of Windows 10.

 

Show More Options

 

 

 

 

Apart from the few differences shown above, the Windows 11 experience is really pretty similar to Windows 10.
While the colors and shapes of things are different, menu layouts are almost the same, and customization options are about the same.
See below for additional views of Windows 11.

 

 

Bluetooth & Devices

 

Printers

 

Windows Update