How to Watch Microsoft’s Windows 11 Event—and What to Expect

It’s about time Microsoft launched one thing new, and we’re fairly positive that what’s on the best way is a brand new model of Windows. Specifically, we anticipate to see Windows 11, as a result of Windows 10X has all however kicked the bucket earlier than it even had an opportunity. (RIP.)

We received’t know for positive what Microsoft has in retailer till the official occasion kicks off on Thursday, June 24 at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT. But there are screenshots galore of the Windows 11 developer preview construct, plus a assist bulletin from Microsoft letting us know that Windows 10 will probably be killed off by 2025. That date will probably be right here earlier than you understand it, so it’s time to begin contemplating what updating your PC will seem like.

Here’s what we predict we all know to date.

How Do I Tune In?

You can stream the Windows 11 presentation on Microsoft’s event page. Once the occasion kicks off, you may observe alongside by in search of the hashtag #MicrosoftEvent on Twitter and different social media platforms. And, in fact, we’ll be masking all the large bulletins proper right here on Gizmodo.

Here Comes the Sun Valley

Windows 11 goes to be a major visible replace, primarily based on what we’ve seen to date. Originally dubbed Project Sun Valley, rumors have been circulating that the corporate would push via a brand new interface this fall. That hypothesis grew to become even stronger after Microsoft formally killed Windows 10X, which was envisioned as a model of the OS to be used on dual-screen contact units, just like the Surface Duo. But the corporate let us know it was merely shifting instructions and that it could fold the event on Windows 10X into the subsequent model of Windows.

We anticipate a pill, laptop computer, and desktop-friendly working system, primarily based on what’s been proven off to date, with visible components that lend themselves to a cross-platform expertise. A consumer on the Chinese web site Baidu was the primary to leak screenshots. Since then, other outlets have gone hands-on with the developer preview, exhibiting related screenshots and options.

The beforehand rumored floating Taskbar is alive and properly within the preview construct. It defaults to the center of the display on the primary launch, although you may return to the earlier default on the underside left-hand facet. You may also begin working in your eulogy for Live Tiles. The preview construct exhibits the widget-like characteristic is gone from the Start menu, changed as a substitute by a extra simplistic launch pad of types with pinned apps and just lately accessed information.

Windows customers with a number of displays will get some assist navigating round. Split and multi-pane views will grow to be simpler to position by merely maximizing the app window and choosing which mode to view apps. PCWorld confirmed off a screenshot of the totally different structure potentialities. Microsoft can be fixing a bug the place apps rearrange themselves on the desktop after you resume sleep.

Microsoft is Setting Up a New Storefront

Alongside Windows 11’s new look, you may wager that Microsoft will announce the long-awaited reconstruction of its wilting app retailer. The Microsoft Store arrived in Windows 8 in response to Apple and Google’s unified app ecosystems on the time. But as Microsoft’s smartphone initiative tanked, so did growth. What exists now could be a clunky shell, with apps that may be procured from different trusted sources, leaving many customers to marvel why it exists within the first place.

The firm will even change a few of its app submission insurance policies, which leads us to consider it’s been engaged on entice builders behind the scenes. Developers will probably be allowed to submit unpackaged Win32 apps to the shop and host updates on their most popular content material supply community (CDN). They can even use a third-party commerce platform inside the apps. The transfer will assist simplify the submission course of to the Windows app retailer, giving us, the customers, extra incentive to go in there and seize an app.

A New Font for Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office is obtainable on platforms exterior of Windows, however the two nonetheless go hand-in-hand—kind of like a sibling and a cousin born months aside. Since Windows 11 is getting a brand new look, so may Office, which we will safely assume is why we’re voting for a brand new default font to replace Calibri. If you’re within the final result, you may vote, too. The consequence received’t be finalized till 2022, although should you’re a Microsoft 365 subscriber and are inquisitive about what the choice appears like, you may already try them out.

AirPods Will Finally Work on Windows

Moving on from aesthetic modifications to extra sensible ones: If you’re an iPhone or iPad consumer with AirPods that received’t play good along with your Windows machines, there may be hope on the horizon. Microsoft is anticipated to make use of the occasion to announce assist for the Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) over Bluetooth. Currently, Windows solely helps SBC and AptX over Bluetooth. But Apple’s headphones use AAC as its default compression codec.

To that finish, we’re additionally hoping to see Microsoft make modifications to its audio choice menu. Its present iteration is messy and convoluted to make use of and exhibits the identical audio machine listed with its various appropriate codecs.

I’m a Gamer. What About Me?

Gaming is one other important a part of Microsoft’s MO—a kind of “yin” to the “yang” of its business- and enterprise-friendly ethos. The preview build already exhibits Xbox Game Pass video games totally embedded into Windows 11, together with social-sharing hyperlinks and an exterior hyperlink to the Xbox Store. The Xbox Game Bar and Windows Game Mode seem untouched, however Microsoft could possibly be engaged on one thing for the autumn launch that it’ll tease on the occasion. And as soon as the brand new Microsoft Store is reside, it’ll be fascinating to see how the Steam library and different components of your PC gaming life combine into the brand new interface.

There isn’t any info but about potential gaming efficiency will increase. The focus appears to be on a unified expertise for PC avid gamers, which Microsoft has struggled with over time regardless of its reign because the gamer’s desktop platform.

Anything Else?

Microsoft already held its annual Build builders convention, so we’re not going to get all of the in-depth particulars on the modifications to Windows 11 on the occasion on June 24. We’re prone to get extra of a top-down, macro view of what’s subsequent for Windows customers. The interface overhaul will doubtless be the primary focus, and we’ll be taught extra about Microsoft’s philosophy behind the way it designed the OS.

The core Windows expertise you already know and typically painstakingly use every day for work ought to stay comparatively untouched. Windows Insiders will doubtless be the primary to play with the brand new preview of the working system earlier than the remainder of us will get an opportunity to go hands-on with it. Hopefully, Microsoft leaves us with sufficient to really feel satiated till it’s time to improve—and lets us know the way a lot it’s going to price.