But get this: all these gaming features are coming to Windows 10 too. And Auto HDR will crank up the visual punch of selected games for those with HDR monitors. The new DirectStorage technology – which sends game assets stored on high-speed SSDs directly to the graphics chip, bypassing the CPU – could well boost games performance. It’s now possible for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream games directly from the pre-installed Xbox app, meaning you don’t have to go through the rigmarole of installing and updating games. If you have to keep re-entering payment details and setting up new accounts every time you buy something from the Microsoft Store, it makes it even less attractive than it already was. One of the attractions of app stores is that they let you buy easily with saved payment details. This is on the proviso that the software developer uses their own payment mechanism, which could add another layer of awkwardness. Perhaps more significant is what’s happening with the built-in app store, with Microsoft practically throwing itself at the mercy of developers and allowing them to sell their software for free. Until that happens, however, Windows remains an awkward operating system for tablet owners. If Microsoft can eventually get that right, it might make Windows 11 a much more compelling choice for owners of Windows tablets/convertibles, with a library of software that’s actually been designed for touch instead of mouse and keyboard. Microsoft promised to bring Android apps to Windows 11 when it made its big summer announcement, but that feature has been deftly kicked into 2022. As stated earlier, it’s a good-looking operating system, but what about the substance? New featuresįeatures wise, there’s little to raise eyebrows. The old-school Control Panel, while still there, is barely ever needed, with the smartly revamped Settings menu handling all of the dull admin tasks.

There are fewer jarring flashbacks to Windows menus of yore. Microsoft has done a decent job of tidying up the operating system.

Windows 10 migrate data error