WASHINGTON: Microsoft announced it will be releasing Windows 11 on October 5, company’s first major operating system update in six years, as a free download for existing Windows users starting on that date.
The free upgrade to Windows 11 will start rolling out on October 5th, but like many Windows upgrades in the past, it will be available in phases. New eligible devices will be offered the upgrade first, and then Windows 11 will become available for more in-market devices in the weeks and months following October 5th.
“Following the tremendous learnings from Windows 10, we want to make sure we’re providing you with the best possible experience,” explains Aaron Woodman, general manager of Windows marketing at Microsoft. “We expect all eligible devices to be offered the free upgrade to Windows 11 by mid-2022,” he added.
While the first general release of Windows 11 will include features like a more streamlined, Mac-like design, an updated Start menu, new multitasking tools and integrated Microsoft Teams, it will not include one of the most anticipated updates: support for Android mobile apps in its new app store.
Windows 11 will also support Android applications through a partnership with Amazon and Intel. Microsoft also didn’t offer a date for when Android apps would be available, either, other than saying that they would roll out in a “preview” test “over the coming months,” according to the post.
On existing Windows 10 PCs, Windows Update will let people know when the upgrade is available for Windows 11. People can also check to see if their device is eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade through Windows Update, or Microsoft’s dedicated PC Health Check app.
