While many businesses are satisfied with Windows 10 and have swapped the Office office suite for its online version, are Windows 11 and Office 2021 capable of changing the situation? Are the new features enough to restore interest in a model which has already switched to DaaS and SaaS solutions? We review all the new features.
Windows 11: new features not just cosmetic
At first glance, Windows 11 stands out with its new interface “ Fluid Design ". A new look with windows with rounded corners, a new taskbar and Start menu centered at the bottom of the screen and a number of other aesthetic improvements. The default interface behaviors can be changed. Administrators will also be able to easily program the Start menu and other Windows components using JSON files. This will allow business applications to be displayed as a priority in the Start menu, for example.
Windows 11 is designed for hybrid work
The system integrates Teams as standard (and therefore replaces Skype present by default in Windows 10) to organize online meetings with your colleagues, share a presentation and exchange messages. One-click access to Teams from the taskbar. Another new feature is the Snap Assist tool, which allows you to rearrange windows to organize them according to your wishes. Such a tool already existed thanks to keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10, except that this time we can save the window layout and create profiles. Those who often move their laptop between home and work will appreciate being able to immediately find their windows positioned in the right place depending on the number of connected monitors.
Reinforced security
On the security side, Microsoft does not take half measures: it requires a recent processor (Intel Core i of 8e generation or higher, AMD Ryzen 2e generation or higher) and the presence of a TPM 2.0 security chip, a technology that appeared in 2016 to preserve the integrity of the system and use authentication keys. Concretely, machines over 3 years old will not be compatible with Windows 11. Studies show that more than 50 %s in the corporate PC fleet will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. A drastic barrier to entry. Microsoft describes its system as being designed for a policy of Zero Trust with a design Secure by Design and malware protection.
Automation: standard integration of Power Automate
Power Automate for Desktop is an RPA (robotic process automation) tool that helps automate repetitive tasks. Its standard integration with Windows 11 is interesting in more than one way for businesses. First of all, Power Automate was complex to install on Windows 10. Then, each Windows 11 user will be able to create automation scenarios themselves to free themselves from repetitive tasks and make their daily lives easier. Of course, Microsoft offers businesses a tool to prevent abuse and control the use of this powerful tool.
A new terminal that offers the choice of command line system
With Windows 11, the default command line interface is called Windows Terminal, with a multi-tab interface, allowing you to juggle between Windows command lines (command prompt), PowerShell, and Azure Cloud Shell.
Better compatibility with Linux
The publisher intends to appeal to developers who have to juggle between Windows and Linux. Like Windows 10, Windows 11 includes Linux as standard. This time, compatibility has been extended to graphics applications thanks to WSLg, a new system layer.
Windows 11 will be able to run Android apps in 2022
The new Windows Store becomes the B to C and B to B application center of Windows 11. It will also be open to Android applications, but only from 2022. A new system layer called WSA (Windows Subsystem for Android) will work similarly of WSL which runs Linux applications. The Linux kernel used will be the same, Android itself being architected around this kernel.
Should you upgrade to Windows 11?
Based on Windows 10, Windows 11 offers excellent compatibility with all software and hardware running on Windows 10. The publisher has also implemented a support program called App Assure to help businesses find solutions against possible software incompatibilities. Before taking the plunge and starting to deploy Windows 11, businesses can test the system on virtual machines in the cloud via the Azure Virtual desktop and Windows 365 DaaS (Desktop as a Service) services. As with every Windows update , companies will undoubtedly take their time to deploy the new system. Windows 10 works well, especially since it will continue to benefit from technical support and security updates until 2025. The biggest obstacle to the deployment of Windows 11 remains the incompatibility of the existing hardware with the requirements of the new OS.
Office 2021 catches up with Microsoft 365 (Office 365)
After much hesitation, Microsoft has decided to release a 2021 version of its office suite, while stressing that its subscription-based Microsoft 365 (Office 365) offering remains its priority. Available on both Windows and macOS, Office 2021 will have a new look to bring it closer to Windows 11. The office suite adds document co-creation functions, new translation and editing tools and welcome Excel functions. Is this enough of an incentive to adopt it?
Co-creation of documents finally in Office 2021
In Word, Excel and PowerPoint, you will now be able to work in real time with other people and edit the same document. You can not only see who else is working on the same document as you – different colored cursors identify each person – but also chat with them. The document must still be stored on OneDrive, Microsoft's online storage service.
This co-creation function is not new: it is well known to users of Office 365, but also of Google Worksplace (formerly G Suite), Google's online office suite.
New functions in Excel 2021
The ultimate business tool, Excel finally includes some welcome new features. The most important ones concern new functions. XLOOKUP replaces the VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP functions, and limits the usefulness of the combination of the INDEX and MATCH functions. Enough to easily find data in a range of cells or a table. Especially since Microsoft also added a similar function, EQUIVX (XMATCH in English) to search for a specified element in a matrix or a range of cells then returns the relative position of the element. Another new feature is the LET function, which allows you to assign names to the calculation results. Enough to store intermediate calculations and avoid having to write a macro.
More advanced translation tools in Outlook
To a lesser extent, Outlook has also benefited from a number of improvements. You can now translate e-mails into almost 70 languages. You can also annotate an e-mail or an image directly in the body of the e-mail. You can also draw with your mouse, stylus or finger.
Improved performance
Although it is always difficult to judge such claims, Microsoft promises better performance and increased stability in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Certain Excel functions, such as SUM.SI and COUNT.SI, have been speeded up. Outlook search has been improved to find e-mails instantly.
Should we go there?
Finally, Office 2021 brings few new features. Companies that use Microsoft 365 (Office 365) will have no interest in subscribing to it. Microsoft's online office suite has already had the latest improvements for a long time, which Office 2021 is only now integrating. For example, the XLOOKUP function in Excel 2021 has existed since July 2020 for Office 365 users.
Constantly updated, Microsoft's online and subscription version remains the most interesting and flexible, even if Microsoft plans to increase the price of Microsoft 365 subscriptions for businesses from 1er March 2022, with an increase of up to 25 1TP3Q.
Train yourself !
ORSYS training on Windows 11 and Office 2021 will soon be available. In the meantime, you can follow our best training courses on Microsoft's two flagship products.
