However, the Windows 11 virtual event offered a broad overview of the OS and not too many nitty-gritty details. Fortunately, the leaks just keep on coming. New photos of Windows 11 surfaced today, revealing a new UI and a slick dark mode.
Windows 11 revealed — all the changes coming to Microsoft’s next-gen Windows OS Windows 11 will be a free upgrade from Windows 10
Windows 11 File Explorer
The Verge Senior Editor Tom Warren spotted a Microsoft employee tweeting screenshots of an internal Windows 11 build. The photos show the new File Explorer, Start Menu, Settings app and dark mode feature. The File Explorer’s UI doesn’t look drastically different, but you’ll find new icons, rounded edges, softer visuals, and an elegant, modern aesthetic. Plus, the dark mode looks bewitching. However, I can’t help but miss the old Pictures icon; the Windows 11 one is too abstract for my tastes.
Windows 11 Start Menu
The Start Menu is just as Carmen Zlateff (partner director of the Windows Users Experience) described it: a simple, clean and centered layout. There’s a Recommended section that makes it easier for users to jump back into recent workflows and a Pinned section that enables users to “bookmark” their favorite apps.
Windows 11 Settings app
Finally, the screenshots showed off the sleek new Settings app; options are more organized and sectioned off into a professional, urbane layout. There are drop-down menus that let users sift through additional settings. Interestingly, the Microsoft employee is using Windows 11 on the Surface Studio 2, which packs a 7th Gen Intel Core i7-7820HQ CPU. However, according to Microsoft, the supported Windows 11 processors (opens in new tab) must be 8th Gen or later. Warren informed his Twitter followers that Microsoft doesn’t enforce system requirements on its employees during the beta phase. Look out for Windows 11 this holiday season and check out all of our coverage on the next-gen OS below.
More Windows 11 news
Windows 11: Your guide to Microsoft’s next Windows OS Windows 11 release date — when is Microsoft’s new OS arriving?Windows 11 revamped the touch keyboard — it now features GIFs, voice typing and moreWindows 11 new startup sound got leaked — and it sounds like Minecraft musicWindows 11 Taskbar and Start Menu get a modern remakeWindows 11 Search Bar: What changed and what didn’t Windows 11 gets revamped UI — see how the design changed from Windows 10 Windows 11 promises longer battery life for laptops, 40% smaller updates Microsoft Teams to be integrated into Windows 11 — What that means Windows 11 makes multitasking a breeze — how it works
