Microsoft has unveiled the next generation of its Windows software, called Windows 11, that has sleeker visual features and is more open to third-party apps.
The newest version of Microsoft’s flagship operating system announced Thursday will be a successor to today’s Windows 10, which the company introduced in 2015.
In a challenge to rival Apple, the company also announced that it won’t force app developers to pay fees to Microsoft for using its app store; and that Google’s popular Android apps will run on its new system.
Windows 11 is expected to become available later this year on new computers and other devices and as a free update for those with Windows 10. It includes a host of cosmetic upgrades, such as a new Start button, a revamped task bar and sounds, and under-the-hood features designed to boost speed and efficiency.
While opening more doors to third-party developers, it also further entrenches Microsoft’s workplace chatting tool Teams by making it easier to contact people when starting up.
AP Photo/Swayne B. Hall
In this Nov. 10, 2016, file photo, people walk near a Microsoft office in New York.
Forrester analyst J.P. Gownder said the aesthetic, user-friendly improvements reflect CEO Satya Nadella’s promise to build products that people will “love,” not tolerate, though Gownder questioned whether Windows 11 is truly a new generation of software. The fact that it is built on the same core code base as Windows 10 might actually be a good thing, he added, because it could avoid the technical glitches that plagued the release of Windows Vista in 2007.
Microsoft’s virtual announcement event was itself affected by technical difficulties Thursday, forcing the company to recommend some viewers watch it on Twitter instead.
When it launched Windows 10 six years ago, Microsoft was hoping that the new operating system would help it rebuild loyalty among users who were increasingly relying on tablets, smartphones and other devices.
Windows has been a PC workhorse for decades. Its first version launched in 1985, offering computer novices a “graphical user interface” so they could click on icons and menus with a mouse button rather than simply type commands into a blank screen.
It’s been a core part of Microsoft’s business ever since, though its influence waned as PC sales declined with the rise of smartphones.
Microsoft said it would allow developers to bypass the payments system in its app store if they have their own commerce engine.
That could create problems for Apple, which has faced government scrutiny over its app store and a legal battle from Epic, the maker of the popular Fortnite game, which contends Apple has been gouging app makers by charging commissions ranging from 15% to 30% for in-app transactions because it forbids other options on its iPhone, iPad and iPod.
“I believe this will be problematic for Apple in its antitrust dealings,” said tech analyst Patrick Moorhead. “Apple charging 30% in its store and Microsoft charging 0% and 15% if you use its commerce engine. Global antitrust units are currently scrutinizing Apple on this very point.”
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Dominic Lipinski
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II greets Prime Minister Boris Johnson at an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, Wednesday June 23, 2021, the Queen's first in-person weekly audience with the Prime Minister since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP)
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Ramon Espinosa
A woman sings for people who have just been inoculated with the Cuban Abdala COVID-19 vaccine as they wait in the observation area in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
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Joan Mateu
A large poster of former deputy president of the Catalan regional government Oriol Junqueras with the message 'Freedom' hangs in his hometown, Sant Vicenc dels Horts near Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Nine separatists pardoned by the Spanish government are expected to leave the prisons where they were serving lengthy terms for organizing a bid for an independent northeastern Catalonia region nearly four years ago. Spain's official gazette published earlier in the day the government decree pardoning them. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)
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Ivan Valencia
Former Colombian Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, left, who was abducted while campaigning by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, rebels, is comforted by another kidnapping victim during an event at the Truth Commission to commemorate victims of the country’s decades long armed conflict, in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)
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Dmitri Lovetsky
Poland's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny fails to make a save during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group B match between Sweden and Poland at Saint Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, Pool)
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Michael Sohn
The sun sets behind the rainbow-illuminated Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. The UEFA did not allow the city of Munich to illuminate the Allianz Arena stadium in rainbow colors during the Euro 2020 soccer match between Germany and Hungary on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
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Kirill Kudryavtsev
Poland's Robert Lewandowski looks up at the end of the Euro 2020 soccer championship group D match between Sweden and Poland, at the St. Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Sweden won 3-2. (AP Photo/Kirill Kudryavtsev, Pool)
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Ian Walton
India's captain Virat Kohli, right, hugs to congratulate New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson on their win on the sixth day of the World Test Championship final cricket match between New Zealand and India, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
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Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., of Calif., watch an American flag is placed next to urn with the cremated remains of former Virginia Sen. John Warner during a funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral, in Washington, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. On the far right is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Matthias Hangst
A protestor holding a Rainbow Flag runs onto the pitch in front of the Hungarian team before the Euro 2020 soccer championship group F match between Germany and Hungary at the football arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (Matthias Hangst/Pool Photo via AP)
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Bernadett Szabo
France's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group F match between Portugal and France at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (Bernadett Szabo, Pool photo via AP)
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Matthias Schrader
Heavy rain falls during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group F match between Germany and Hungary at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany,Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, Pool)
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Silvia Izquierdo
Brazil's Neymar takes a shot in an attempt to score during a Copa America soccer match against Colombia at Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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Mindaugas Kulbis
Women wearing a flower crowns and a traditional Lithuanian outfit sing songs during a celebration of Saint John's Day and Summer solstice at the small town of Kernave, some 35km (22 miles) northwest of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. St. John's Day or Midsummer Day, shortest night of the year, is filled with magic – the festivities include making oak leaf wreaths and leaping over flames, and young people are encouraged to go out and look for fern flowers. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
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Alexander Zemlianichenko
A young couple rest after a hot day at Ostankinsky pond when the temperature drops to 27 Celsius (80 Fahrenheit) in Moscow, Russia, late Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Residents of Russia's capital are wilting under hot temperatures that on Wednesday hit an all-time high for June since records started being kept. The mid-afternoon temperature of 34.8 Celsius (94.6 Fahrenheit) edged above the 34.7 (94.46) that was recorded in 1901, according to Roman Vilfand, scientific director of Russia's meteorological service. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
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Kin Cheung
Staff members gather at the Apple Daily headquarters in Hong Kong, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper will stop publishing Thursday, following last week's arrest of five editors and executives and the freezing of $2.3 million in assets under the city's one-year-old national security law. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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Florian Schroetter
Lightning strikes above the blue and green illuminated stadium during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group F match between Germany and Hungary in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. The UEFA didn't allow Munich to illuminate the stadium for this evening's Euro2020 match in rainbow colors in a show of support for LGBT people. The decision by European soccer's governing body was widely criticized in Germany, which plays Hungary in the final group match in Munich. (AP Photo/Florian Schroetter)
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Matias Delacroix
A man throws fireworks above buildings marking the 200th anniversary of the battle of Carabobo in the San Agustin neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, early Thursday, June 24, 2021. The battle of Carabobo, on June 24, 1821, was fought between independence fighters, led by Simon Bolivar. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
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Vincent Yu
Last issue of Apple Daily arrive at a newspaper booth in Hong Kong, early Thursday, June 24, 2021. Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper will stop publishing Thursday, following last week's arrest of five editors and executives and the freezing of $2.3 million in assets under the city's year-old national security law. ( AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
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Will Newton
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve reacts after fouling off a ball against the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Will Newton)
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Wason Wanichakorn
Riot police wearing face masks with their riot gear stand by during a pro-democracy demonstration in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Pro-democracy demonstrators have taken to the streets of Thailand's capital again, marking the 89th anniversary of the overthrow of the country's absolute monarchy by renewing their demands that the government step down, the constitution be amended and the monarchy become more accountable. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
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Sakchai Lalit
Pro-democracy supporters display the three-finger symbol of resistance during a demonstration in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Pro-democracy protesters have taken to the streets of Thailand's capital, marking the 89th anniversary of the overthrow of the country's absolute monarchy by renewing their demands that the government step down, the constitution be amended and the monarchy become more accountable. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
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Matt York
Milwaukee Brewers' Luis Urias advances to third on a base hit by Tyrone Taylor during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Wilfredo Lee
A section of a partially collapsed building is seen early Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla. A partial building collapse in Miami caused a massive response early Thursday from Miami Dade Fire Rescue, according to a tweet from the department's account. Miami Dade Fire Rescue is conducting search and rescue. Authorities had no word yet on casualties, or details of how many people lived in the building. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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Wilfredo Lee
Firefighters standby after a partial collapse of a building, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla. A partial building collapse in Miami caused a massive response early Thursday from Miami Dade Fire Rescue, according to a tweet from the department's account. Miami Dade Fire Rescue is conducting search and rescue. Authorities had no word yet on casualties, or details of how many people lived in the building. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
