Microsoft announces the arrival of a major update for Windows on February 11. Several new features are in the pipeline, including support for Android apps in “public preview.”
Nearly four months after its big debut, Windows 11 is getting ready to receive its first major update. In a post titled “a new era of the PC”Panos Panay to get back the evolution of our way of life since the health crisis and the role of Windows. The operating system administrator also takes the opportunity to confirm that Windows 11 is about to receive a major update. It will be implemented 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 operating system was released. If testers or hackers have already been able to discover this novelty, the Redmond firm had met in 2022 to allow all Windows 11 users to run their smartphone applications on a PC. Starting next month, Microsoft will offer a public preview of Windows Subsystem for Android and thus you will discover one of the main novelties of the new operating system.
Each user will be able to install smartphone or tablet apps on their Windows 11 computer. Offered in “public preview” form, the functionality may be accompanied by some bugs at launch and will be limited to apps for Amazon. App store. Instead of using the Google Play Store, Microsoft has chosen to join forces with the e-commerce giant to offer a selection of apps.
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 release Android games on Windows. In a handful of countries, the Mountain View company provides access to mobile gaming on Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs. It promises a stable version in the course of 2022 and France should soon find out the beta version of Google Play Games.
Other novelties are on the February program
With its update, Microsoft also promises improvements to the taskbar. The latter has been the subject of numerous criticisms since the release of Windows 11 and fixes are expected. The graphical overhaul will continue with the rollout of modernized versions of Notepad and Media Player, marking the arrival of a dark mode. New media player to replace Groove Music app while Notepad is redesigned foresees new search and replace tools, or an undo command that is no longer limited to the last modification.
Starting in February, the weather widget will return to the taskbar and a button will be added to enable or disable the sound of a microphone during a call. Dual screen fans will also be pleased 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.
Introvert. Beer guru. Communicator. Travel fanatic. Web advocate. Certified alcohol geek. Tv buff. Subtly charming internet aficionado.
