Microsoft recently made the announcement that it is planning the release for later this year and while we don’t know everything that it will include, the hints and scraps of information we have been given point to the upgrade introducing a bunch of new features that users will be eagerly waiting to try out. 

If you haven’t already made the switch over to Windows 11, now is as good a time as any. The software has been on the market for a good long while now, long enough for the various bugs and issues that have been identified by users and developers alike to have been fixed.

While the operating system is never going to be completely without its hickups (none ever are), it is still fully functional. If your system needs to be updated or if you have been holding out until now, you should consider upgrading to Windows 11, especially with this latest upgrade on the horizon.

23H2, and What is in Store for Users

To keep the Windows operating system running just as it should, Microsoft is constantly improving the system and introducing all sorts of new and interesting features, designed to help its users make the most of their experience.

At the annual Microsoft Build conference, the company showcased a few of the newer features that are set to arrive with Windows 11 23H2. And now with a release date, users are learning more about what they can expect.

For those who are already using Windows 11, the coming update will be freely available, so as we said, now is a great time to update your system to Windows 11, so that you can get all of the exciting new features the moment they are released.

Here are some of the coming features to look forward to with 23H2.

Copilot

Without a doubt the biggest and most exciting new Windows 11 feature or programme, is going to be Windows Copilot. This programme is essentially Microsoft’s AI assistant and it is using the same popular AI technology that is currently powering Bing Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Windows Copilot will become the replacement for Cortana but it will be able to do quite a lot more than its predecessor. From helping users change their various PC settings to starting up playlists on Spotify, to creating summaries of webpages and all sorts of text documents, Copilot will enhance the overall Windows experience for many users.

File Explorer

The other talked about update is the upgrade for File Explorer. This update will completely modernise the current interface and make it more user-friendly, and more like a web browser. The newest version of File Explorer will also have a Gallery feature that will make it easier to view photos.

Windows Backup

Most of us neglect our computer backups, but with this latest version of Windows 11, you will have no excuse. Microsoft is bringing users a really simple Cloud backup tool with 23H2, allowing users to backup files, settings and apps to their OneDrive. And along with easy backups, this feature will also have an easy backup restore tool.

Taskbar Ungrouping

One Windows feature that remains popular is the classic taskbar, and its much-loved ungrouping feature is making its much-anticipated return with 23H2. Along with its return, the taskbar is also getting a new function, which is going to give users the option to show taskbar labels that are running.

This is just the taste of what to expect from the coming Windows 11 update, with some of the other features to look forward to including an updated widgets board, dark mode for paint, peripheral customisation, RAR and 7ZIP support, and a new Windows Dev Drive and Home.

*Need help upgrading your operating system? At 24/7 IT Services, we offer our clients a wide range of IT support services. Some of our popular services include Managed IT Support, Business Continuity and Cyber Security.

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During the Build conference, Microsoft announced that it was going to be introducing an open-source tool for Windows 11, which has been named Dev Home. This incredibly helpful tool is being aimed at developers, as well as those who are a little more tech minded and want to keep an eye on the performance of their PC.

With Dev Home, developers will be able to customise their setup by using a variety of extensions which will help them to monitor whatever projects they currently have in the works. At the moment, the app is in its early preview stage of development, but it can already be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

The app is only available for those who are already using Windows 11, and what has everyone in the development world talking is that the app has a range of interesting widgets which have been designed to make data access easier.

About Dev Home

The widgets that are available when using Dev Home are sure to replace most third party apps that are currently being used to monitor PC performance and resource utilisation. Some of the more popular widgets include those used to monitor the use and performance of the computer’s CPU, GPU and RAM. There is also a widget that has been exclusively created to monitor the computer’s network.

With the widgets installed, you will instantly be able to terminate those programmes hampering the performance of your computer and you can also quickly switch between your graphic cards to enhance performance when necessary.

There are at the moment 6 widgets that you might find extremely beneficial to use, if you are in the development field or if you simply want to be more in control of your computer.

• CPU: This can be used to monitor the performance of your CPU.
• GitHub: With this widget you can connect your GitHub profile to receive customisable widgets as well as notifications.
• Network: With this widget you will be able to keep an eye on the performance of your network.
• Memory: This widget will give you access to information about your computer’s memory usage.
• SSH Keychain: This widget will provide you with a list of SSH connections available to you.
• GPU: This widget will let you monitor the overall performance of your GPU.

Downloading the Widgets

If you are using Windows 11 and you are keen on giving some of these widgets a test drive, they are really easy to download from the Microsoft Store or from GitHub.

When in the Microsoft Store or GitHub, look for the Dev Home Preview App. Once you have downloaded it, press Win+W keys to open your widgets, and from there you will be able to select the ones you want. If you want to add the widgets manually, you can do so by pressing the + on the widgets board.

Because the app is still in its preview stages, don’t expect the widgets to be completely flawless. By using the app and alerting the widget development team to the bugs you encounter, you are actually helping them improve the widgets so that they perfectly function when they are eventually fully released.

In time the app will become a game changer, and if you are interested in playing a role in its final look and user experience feel, download the widgets and play around with them.

* Need an IT team to guide your company through this increasingly advanced and ever changing tech world? At 24/7 IT Services we are helping numerous clients to make the most of their IT systems, and we also assist them with their Microsoft products. Whether you need help with your Business Continuity plan or if you need a stronger Cyber Security setup, you can contact us today.

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The last update for those using this version of Windows will become available on the 13^th of June 2023, and after that all services and support will be stopped.

Trying to stop the Windows 11 upgrade might just leave you with a system that is vulnerable to hacking and other malicious attacks, as further updates for Windows 10 21H2 won’t be coming.

There is no definite date yet for when users can expect the system to be upgraded but it is now a guarantee that it will come sometime after the June update.

This essentially means that Windows 10 22H2 will be the very last version of this operating system, and Microsoft has already said that it will continue to provide support to Windows 10 22H2 until the 14^th of October 2025, with Enterprise users being given a few extra years with their system.

Windows 11 Is Growing in Popularity (But Only a Little)

Along with the news that Windows 11 is coming to Windows 10 21H2 users, the latest stats from Statcounter are showing that the operating system is gaining a few fans.

Although many users will say that Windows 10 is so far the best, Windows 11 is growing on people, and it recently hit an all-time high user share percentage.

Although the statistics aren’t looking too bad, Microsoft is said to be a little be disappointed at the low uptake of its latest Windows offering.

By comparison, towards the end of the Windows 10’s time on the market, it was experiencing a phenomenal user market share of 76%, and seeing that so many people are happily using Windows 10 for such an extended period of time, you can understand why they weren’t in such a rush to embrace the newest version.

Ultimately, because most users, both individuals and companies, are unlikely to make a move over to any other type of operating system, Windows 11 will eventually dominate the scene.

But whether or not it becomes memorable, for all the right reasons, remains to be seen.

And while the operating system is gaining more users, Microsoft’s built in internet browser just keeps on taking knocks, as Edge, which was supposed to be a huge improvement on Internet Explorer, has lost its standing to Safari.  

A Snippet About Windows 11

Windows 11 was released to much fanfare in October of 2021, and it became available to all users in 2022.

As with all the versions of Windows, this latest one had quite a few growing pains, with most of the more obvious problems having now been resolved.

Windows 11 brings with it so many much-welcomed new things such as the much-hyped inclusion of AI technology. Although the layout of Windows 11 takes some getting used to, if you are a long-time user of the operating system, you shouldn’t have too much of a problem getting the hand of things.

* Struggling to decide if it is time to introduce Windows 11 to your business? Or maybe you need help installing this upgrade? At 24/7 IT Services, we provide our clients with a range of fantastic IT solutions which include managed IT support and various IT consultancy options. For more information, give us a call.

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Although it might be hard to believe, Windows 10 has been on the market since 2015! Time sure does fly, and during the tenure of this version of Microsoft’s popular operating system, it was heralded as vast improvement on its much unloved predecessor, Windows 8.

Since Windows 11 has been available for almost a year, with the various kinks being ironed out over the last few months, it was only going to be a matter of time before the announcement of the end of Windows 10 came.

And besides, since Windows 11 became available, the amount of updates for Windows 10 has become noticeably fewer with most updates only being for fixes. This in itself should have been an indication that this announcement was coming.

Should you update to Windows 11 now?

The end of new features for Windows 10 might cause some anxiety, but since the software is still going to be kept secure and any issues will still be fixed, now is probably not the time act in haste.

Although it is never a good idea to update your version of Windows to the latest option the moment it becomes available (because of the issues all new software comes with), this version has been out since May 2022 so it is safe to say that most users can update should they wish to.

Windows 11 has been called the best version yet. It comes with better features and a user friendly design, it offers Android App integration, better gaming features, easy multitasking, collaboration and remote working capabilities, and enhanced overall performance. This alone makes it tempting to make the leap.

But with all of the exciting advantages, there are some drawbacks to installing this new operating software.  

Windows 11 is not being kind on older PCs and Laptops. If you are thinking about installing Windows 11, you should start the process by having a look at whether or not your computer has the type of hardware that will meet the new operating system’s requirements.

Computers that are relatively new will be able to handle the update with no performance issues, but older computers might end up slowing down, making work impossible. And that is if the system will even allow an older computer to update at all.

Hardware requirements for running Windows 11 include the following:

Processor: 1 GHz with 2 cores and 64 bit capabilities

Memory: 4GB of RAM

Storage: 64GB of Drive Space

Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot capabilities

TPM: 2.0

Graphics: DirectX12 or a later version along with a Windows Display Drive Model 2.0

Display: 720p Resolution with a 9-Inch Screen

The computer will also need to be connected to the internet for the update to complete and for the setup to be done.

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If all of this sounds Greek to you, you can always contact 24/7 IT Services, for advice or to help you with your Windows installation. We are one of the leading IT companies in the London area, and along with helping companies with their day to day IT needs, we also offer Business Continuity Services and IT Security Solutions, among a range of other services, for all kinds of companies.

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Since so much of the system is geared towards helping users to be as productive as possible, there are plenty of shortcut options that are designed to save you loads of time while helping you to get the information that you need. There are shortcuts that will minimise your desktop and give the option of adding another, which is incredibly helpful when you are looking at working with a variety of applications.

And then there is the little known shortcut that will allow you to preview a file without having to open it, which will definitely be a big help, especially if you have plenty of other files open and you don’t want to slow down your PC or laptop by opening more.

Whether you are working with Windows 10 or Windows 11, this shortcut should work, and it is suitable for a number of applications including Word, Excel, PDFs, photos, graphics, videos, music, and audio files.

This feature can also be used to previews files that are unknown. When you preview the unknown file, you won’t have to worry about not having the correct type of application to open it, something which can be the case if you are working with design files.

How to Preview Files and Additional Preview Programmes

There are a number of ways that you can preview a file in Windows, and these are the easiest options.

Use Windows File Explorer Panel

The simplest way to preview a file in Windows would be to use the built in feature, which is the File Explorer. You can access this by opening the File Explorer in your version of Windows and then clicking on the view tab and then selecting the preview option. Click just once on the file that you want to view and you will be given a preview in the tab next to it. This option will also allow you to increase or decrease the size of your preview.

Use the QuickLook Programme

If you are looking for something different, you can download QuickLook for free. It easily integrates with File Explorer, and once it is installed, all you need to do is select the file you want to use and then press your space bar. A preview window will pop up where you will be able to view the file. You will also be able to increase or decrease the size of the preview.

Use the Cool File Viewer Programme

A programme that doesn’t integrate with Windows File Viewer, but is quite sophisticated and might be preferred by those who are looking for something a little more advanced, this programme is a good option. With Cool File Viewer, you can preview most files as well as have a look at and even extract if need be, files that have been compressed in ZIP or RAR formats. And as for office applications, with this programme you will be able to both view the file and edit it. The downside of the programme is that it will only allow you to preview a limited number of programmes before you have to use a paid version.

If you are looking for a team of IT professionals to assist you with your business IT needs, you can contact 24/7 IT Services today. We offer a variety of solutions including IT consultancy, Cloud Computing and Network Services.

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A few days ago, Microsoft held an event during which they updated the public about what they are working on and what is to be expected from Windows 11 in the coming days, weeks and months.

At the event, Microsoft went over several features that they have already made public. Initially, it would seem that nothing new was being said but for the more focused listener, there were actually quite a few new features mention.

If you have not yet gone over to Windows 11, but you have been thinking about it, these are some of the latest features and interesting developments that you can expect to see if you update your operating system to the newest version of Windows.

Smart Context IQ Features

Microsoft is all about making the experience as user friendly as possible and so it is no surprise that one of the new additions that is coming out has to do with smart, contextual features. This feature is designed to be able to recommend relevant content and contacts in the start-up menu as well as in the Microsoft 365 apps.

This feature is also designed to reduce the number of clicks that you need to make in order to get to wherever you need to be. This saves a lot of time, especially in the business context.

The company is also bringing out a feature which they have called “Suggested Actions” which can guide you to quickly doing everyday tasks, such as adding contacts or creating Calendars.

Improved Widgets

One of the most helpful features, and something that has been around for a while is the Widgets Panel. It has undergone a couple of changes over the years and although users have known that this feature is undergoing some changes and being improved, users are not quite sure what changes to expect just yet.

What we do know is that the widget panel will be looking a little different in the coming months, and it is possibly going to be a lot more user friendly.

Cloud Integration

For the commercial users, in the coming months, it will be easier to integrate the local desktop with the Cloud PC experience as it is offered to Windows 365 accounts, in a number of ways.

Users will be able to directly log into their Cloud PC and make it the primary Windows experience. This will be available as the Windows 365 Boot.

With Windows 365 Offline, users will be able to work in Windows 365 even if they are not connected to the web. Once their connection is restored, the work that has been done will sync back to the service without any of the data being lost.

Users will also be able to switch between their local desktop and the Cloud PC as they please, using the Task Switcher.

And finally, there is the Windows 365 app which gives users another way to connect their Cloud PC from their Start Menu or the Task Bar. This provides an easy and effective way to personalise the work experience.

Windows 11 is going to become the main version of Windows in a couple of months and if you have any questions about this version of the operating system, you can have a chat with our team at 24/7 IT Services. We are in the business of getting companies sorted out with the best IT solutions including, managed IT support and Cloud computing.

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Microsoft Windows is without a doubt one the world’s most used and best known operating systems. For the most part, the system works seamlessly, and except for a couple of versions that many in the IT field would happily forget, the Windows operating system has been greatly beneficial for both business and home users.

But just because there is a new version, doesn’t mean you should be in a hurry to click the download and install button, even if it is free.

Although Windows updates, in general, should not be put on hold for too long, when it comes to updating the entire system to something new, it pays to pause. And what’s more is that you can actually put the update on hold indefinitely, something you can’t normally do when you have other updates waiting to be installed.

Since Windows 10 support is going to continue on until 2025, you shouldn’t worry about being left behind.

When the Windows 11 update became available, a couple of IT experts installed the update to see what the fuss was all about. And after using the update for a while, the general consensus was that it is far better to wait before installing it, for a number of really good reasons.

Why you should wait before hitting update

1. System functionality is different

In order to get the most out of any new Windows system, functionality is key. While on the whole, the latest version of Windows is fully functional, there are a few things that will definitely be annoying. For instance, the Taskbar and the Start Menu are both considered to be less functional than that of Windows 10. The Taskbar can’t be moved or resized and new apps can’t be added to the Start Menu.

• The system is slightly flawed

One of the greatest reasons why you should wait before you upgrade to Windows 11, is that because it is a new system, you will be among the first users to identify and then have to deal with the system flaws, of which there are a few. Generally, with the new system, the flaws will only be fully identified through the system being used, and then it can take a couple of months for the flaws to be fixed through yet more updates. A flawed system is not only going to set you back with your day to day work, but it can so frustrating that you’d spend each day more stressed than you’d otherwise need to be.

• Features are limited

When Windows 11 was first announced, Microsoft users were excited to learn that the system would be compatible with Android apps, the very same that they would use on their smartphone devices. But here’s the catch, this compatibility will not be available with the first version of Windows 11. Instead, they will be a part of the updates that will follow. So if this was your main reason for wanting to update, best wait.

• Familiarity is missing

What makes any operating system truly work for the user is familiarity. When you are using the same system day in and day out for years at a time, you soon develop a natural ease with it. And when you know your way around it, you can become incredibly efficient with the tasks you need to do. So when you install Windows 11, without knowing much about it, you are going to have to become familiar with everything all over again, and in the meantime, you’ll have to struggle with getting to know a whole new system.

Want to know more about Windows 11 and when you should update? You can give our team a call and we can have a chat about your concerns or answer your questions.

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