Top 10 Features of Windows 11 – What You Need To Know

Windows 11 has already been available since 2021, but take-up of the new operating system has been relatively slow. Only around 30% of devices that are running Windows 10 have been migrated to Windows 11 so far. But this is likely to pick up with Windows 10 reaching end-of-support in October 2025, as more organisations begin migration to avoid the security vulnerabilities and extra support costs that come with outdated software.

But beyond the necessity of needing to migrate devices towards the newer system, the scale of the benefits that Windows 11 can deliver to an organisation is enormous, these include:

• Improved productivity: a more streamlined and user-friendly interface, designed to make multitasking easier than ever before.

• Better performance: optimised speed, quicker boot-up times and improved response all boost the experience across every type of device.

• Stronger security: advanced features that keep data and users safe, including hardware-based isolation, secure booting and enhanced encryption.

• Smoother integration: easy connectivity to everyday tools and applications, such as Microsoft Teams, Office 365 and third-party apps.

• Future-proofing: support for the latest hardware innovations like new CPUs and GPUs, making Windows 11 ready for tomorrow as well as today.

In this blog, we’ll go beyond the headlines and look under the bonnet of Windows 11, highlighting some of the practical features and improvements that can transform the day-to-day operations of your workforce.

Top 10 features of Windows 11

1. 1. Advanced security features: With cybercrime continually advancing, both in terms of the scale and sophistication of attacks, Microsoft has responded with a new wave of security measures within Windows 11 to keep data, systems, applications and users safe. These include Windows Hello biometric authentication, enhanced encryption methods, and the required use of Trusted Platform Module 2.0 and Secure Boot. Built-in security tools like Windows Defender, along with robust threat detection capabilities, also work to safeguard users and information without compromising productivity.

1. 2. Advanced interface and refreshed Start Menu: Microsoft has worked to simplify the Start Menu within Windows 11, and simplify the layout for better usability. It has been redesigned and centred on the Taskbar, with easy access to pinned apps, recent files and essential functions to speed up the navigation process. This comes as part of a more modern interface, streamlined to maximise productivity and support more efficient, accessible workspaces.

1. 3. New Microsoft Teams integration: Microsoft Teams has now been integrated directly into the Taskbar, meaning communication with colleagues and clients is faster and easier than ever before. Chats, meetings and shared files can be accessed in an instant, without the need to open the Teams app separately. This enables more efficient teamwork and collaboration for users, however and whenever they need to connect.

1. 4. Customisable Widget board: A wider range of Widgets enable users to receive even more personalised information on their desktop at a glance. Whether it’s news and weather, events in their diary, the latest emails in their inbox or other key information, users can keep across all the vital elements of their working day without having to open several different apps.

1. 5. Upgraded Touch and Pen Capabilities: Windows 11 features improved controls and features for touch-screen and pen-enabled devices. This includes gesture controls and inking capabilities that support more efficient drawing, note-taking and navigation. This can make inputs and interactions more versatile and intuitive, and supports more dynamic collaborations across multi-input devices like 2-in-1s and tablets.

1. 6. Redesigned Settings App: Windows 11 features a redesigned Settings app, aimed at further improving user-friendliness, including clearer definitions of different categories, a more organised layout and an improved search function.

1. 7. Practical Snap Layouts and Snap Groups: Snap Layouts enables open windows to be grouped into different grid-based layouts that maximise screen space for multi-window work. The parallel Snap Groups function allows these layouts to be stored, meaning layouts can quickly be deployed for different tasks as required. These features are ideal for a range of different situations, such as multitasking, managing workflows and projects, utilising large displays and multi-monitor set-ups, making workspaces consistent, and aiding presentations, meetings and collaboration.

1. 8. Personalised Virtual Desktops: Users can create different desktops for different tasks and projects within Windows 11, each with its own set of open applications and customised layouts. This gives users fast access to a desktop that is perfectly suited to the specific task at hand, helping them keep more organised and productive across different types of work. Virtual Desktops can be instrumental in shutting off distractions, managing multiple projects simultaneously and facilitating effective collaboration in meetings and Teams calls. They can also help optimise the use of system resources, by isolating resource-intensive applications to the desktops and use cases where they’re needed.

1. 9. Productivity-Boosting Focus Sessions: This new feature in the Clock application is designed to help users manage their time and productivity more effectively. It allows timers to be set for focused periods of work, integrates with Microsoft To Do, and even connects to Spotify to support break periods and productivity-driving playlists. That way, users can stay refreshed, and give themselves the right environment to concentrate on their work.

1. 10. Optimised performance: Windows 11 delivers a new level of speed and efficiency, thanks to performance improvements that have reduced the burden on key system resources, enabled smoother application running, extended battery life on mobile devices, and cut costly downtime. From everyday tasks like emailing and web browsing, through Teams meetings that run without lag or disruption, to dealing with large data sets and complex workloads, better performance supports better user experiences for all.

Make Windows 11 work for you with SCC

While Windows 11 is full of potential to transform your organisation’s operations, it needs the right hardware and deployment strategy to take full advantage. As many as 25% of hardware currently used by organisations will be incompatible with Windows 11, and another 50% will only be able to run it with degraded performance. This means that a good Windows 11 migration should come hand-in-hand with an assessment and refresh of your organisation’s IT device estate as a whole.

Partnering with SCC for Windows 11 gives you access to everything you need for your migration: assessment and roadmapping, implementation and hardware refreshes, flexible funding options, comprehensive staff training, and recycling and refurbishment of your obsolete kit.