This article will detail some of the differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 and provide links to official videos from Microsoft to help explore the updated operating system.

Table of Contents

What’s different?

The differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 are both cosmetic and functional, such as the general appearance of Windows 11, and with everyday tasks, such as the right-click menu and the location of the taskbar. These changes are detailed below:

The Taskbar

The first, most noticeable change in Windows 11 is the placement of the taskbar - your start menu and icons will be in the center of the taskbar by default:

Open

The taskbar will be centered by default.

This setting can be adjusted if you prefer the traditional left-side start menu by:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings:
   

   Open

   

   Right-click on the taskbar to bring up this menu.
   
   

2. Scroll down and click on Taskbar behaviors:
   
   

3. Click on the drop-down box near Taskbar alignment, and select Left:
   
   

4. Your taskbar will move to the bottom-left position, just how it was in Windows 10.

The Right-click Menu

Another change made in Windows 11 is the right-click menu. Mainly, many of the settings when you right-click something are now docked under a ‘Show more options’ button at the bottom:

If you are missing an option, try right-clicking an item and checking this show more options button. You can also use shift + right-click to jump straight to the Show more options menu for faster access.

Copying, Cutting, Etc.

You may have noticed in the previous section that the right-click options for copying and other functions appear different now. These right-click options still exist, but have updated buttons located at the top of the right-click menu:

From left to right:

Copilot

Included in Windows 11 is the Copilot app, an AI assistant built into Windows directly. Copilot is accessible by the standalone app or as a tab in Microsoft Edge:

If you are interested in using Copilot, please feel free to read up on it here, or go ahead and start interacting with it!

Microsoft Videos

Below are links to some relevant and helpful videos about Windows 11 to complement this article:

• Meet Windows 11: The basics - Microsoft Support

• Meet Windows 11: A whole new look - Microsoft Support

• Meet Windows 11: Personalizing your experience - Microsoft Support

• Meet Windows 11: Keys to easier - Microsoft Support

Feel free to browse more videos here.

Common Issues

After a fresh rebuild to Windows 11, there may be some issues that need addressing.

Monitor Arrangement

If you use multiple displays, your monitors may be in the incorrect order when logging in. To fix this:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select ‘Display Settings’.

2. Use the ‘Identify’ button to identify which monitor is which number.

3. Drag and drop the monitors around so that they are in the correct orientation:
   
   

4. Click ‘Apply’ to save the settings.

You can also change which monitor is your main display by clicking on it to highlight it and then selecting the ‘Make this my main display’ checkbox.