Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 as the next big step for the Windows platform. For folks looking forward to the update, here's a breakdown of when Windows 11 is coming out, how much it'll cost, and what specs are required to run the OS.

Windows 11 was announced on June 24, and simply put, it's a massive change compared to Windows 10. It features a brand new design language, an upgraded Start menu, widgets, revamped notifications, and a ton more. While it's still a pretty familiar Windows experience at its core, all of the new features/changes should make it feel better than ever.

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There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Windows 11, and thankfully, Microsoft isn't making people wait too long before they can get their hands on it. Microsoft says Windows 11 will begin rolling out "this fall," meaning it should drop at some point between September and November. For anyone that can't wait that long, Windows Insiders will be able to download a preview build beginning the week of June 28.

Windows 11 Is A Free Upgrade For Windows 1o Users

Windows 11 event teaser image

Then there's the matter of cost. Microsoft used to sell new Windows versions for a set price, but it's been moving away from that model in recent years. Just like Windows 10, Windows 11 will be available as a 100 percent free update. So long as someone has a computer running Windows 10, they'll receive a free Windows 11 update once Microsoft releases it.

Something else to take note of are the specification requirements for Windows 11. Windows 11 is a pretty substantial upgrade, and as such, it requires a certain amount of power in order to run. Looking at the minimum spec requirements, Microsoft says users will need at least a dual-core processor with a 1GHz clock speed, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, DirectX 12 graphics support, and a 9-inch (or larger) display with a minimum resolution of 1366 x 768. Perhaps most importantly is that Windows 11 will only support 64-bit systems. That makes it the first Windows version to not directly support 32-bit processors. It shouldn't be an issue for the vast majority of users, but it is still worth pointing out.

Overall, Microsoft has done a good job with the availability aspect of Windows 11. It'll be here in just a few months, users won't have to pay anything to get it, and the spec requirements shouldn't be an issue for any modern(ish) computer. It remains to be seen how the update holds up during daily use, but at least from this side of things, Microsoft knocked it out of the park.

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Source: Microsoft