News

a first major update is coming in February

Microsoft announces the arrival of a major update for Windows 11 February. Several new features are on the program, including support for Android applications in “public preview”.

Almost four months after its big debut, Windows 11 is preparing to welcome its first major update. In a post titled “a new era of the PC”, Panos Panay takes a long look at the evolution of our way of life since the health crisis and the role of Windows. The operating system manager also takes the opportunity to confirm that Windows 11 is about to receive an important update. It will be deployed in February and promises several new features expected by users, starting with the arrival of Android applications.

Android apps for all Windows 11 users

Promised by Microsoft when Windows 11 was announced, support for Android apps in the Windows ecosystem was not available when the OS was launched. If testers or hackers have already been able to discover this novelty, the Redmond firm had made an appointment in 2022 to allow all Windows 11 users to run their smartphone applications on a PC. From next month, Microsoft will offer a public preview (public preview) of Windows Subsystem for Android and therefore discover one of the major new features of the new operating system.

Each user will be able to install applications for smartphones or tablets on their computer under Windows 11. Offered in the form of a “public preview”, the functionality could be accompanied by a few bugs at launch and will be limited to applications for the Amazon Appstore. Instead of using the Google Play Store, Microsoft has chosen to partner with the e-commerce giant to offer a selection of applications.

Windows 11 apps
© Microsoft

These apps can be used in split-screen mode with other Windows apps and support keyboard shortcuts and touchpad gestures. For now, we don’t yet know how many Android apps will be available at launch.

Microsoft’s announcement comes just days after Google decided to launch Android games on Windows. In a handful of countries, the Mountain View company provides access to mobile games on PCs running Windows 10 or Windows 11. It promises a stable version in the course of 2022 and France should soon discover the version beta of Google Play Games.

Other novelties are on the program in February

With its update, Microsoft also promises improvements for the taskbar. The latter has been the subject of numerous criticisms since the launch of Windows 11 and fixes are expected. The graphic overhaul will continue with the deployment of modernized versions of Notepad and Media Player, marking the arrival of a dark mode. The new media player will replace the Groove Music application while the redesigned Notepad provides new search and replace tools, or an undo command that no longer limits to the last modification.

Windows 11 Notepad
© Microsoft

As of February, the Weather widget will be back in the taskbar and a button to activate or deactivate the sound of a microphone during a call will be added. Fans of the dual screen will also be delighted to learn that they will once again be able to display the time on their second screen.

Microsoft confirms that the update will be deployed in February, without advancing a specific date.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *