Windows 11 release date is October 5 for both existing and new hardware, and it would become available for all eligible devices by mid-2022. Windows 11 version 21H2 has already entered the final stage of testing, with the upgrade expected to be released in the Release Preview Channel in the coming days.
Microsoft will soon begin pushing Windows 11 to the Release Preview channel within its beta testing program. This would be the last step in the testing process before the scheduled October 5 release. You can expect quality improvements and bug fixes in the upcoming preview builds.
Windows 11 will be polished to shine (hopefully), but no new features will be added. As expected, Microsoft has also delayed the Android apps support for the operating system, which is now expected to arrive in 2022. It’s possible that Android apps support will be bundled with Windows 11 22H2 “Nickel” release, which is scheduled for October 2022.
Windows 11 is expected to ship with all features currently available in the Beta channel of the Insider program. This includes:
- A new Microsoft Store: Windows 11 comes with a new app store which will also begin rolling out to Windows 10 PCs.
- Windows 11 offers a new design for Start Menu, notification center, taskbar, search, and more. The new design language promises accessibility and performance improvements.
- New opportunities for developers via Microsoft Store.
- Windows 11 comes with better touch, digital pen and voice input controls.
Windows 11 is a free upgrade, phased rollout starts on October 5
As you’re probably aware, a huge amount of problems have plagued the previous releases of Windows 10.
Unsurprisingly, Microsoft is carefully testing the new operating system for all supported hardware and it plans to release the update in phases to avoid anything like a repeat of Windows 10 buggy updates.
Windows 11 won’t be delivered to unsupported devices. Initially, only eligible devices will get the upgrade, meaning those who meet all requirements.
“The upgrade will then roll out over time to in-market devices based on intelligence models that consider hardware eligibility, reliability metrics, age of the device and other factors that impact the upgrade experience,” Microsoft said.
Microsoft further notes that all eligible devices will have access to Windows 11 by mid-2022.
