Windows 11 Comparison with Windows 10

As technology continues to evolve, so too does the Windows operating system. With the release of Windows 11, users are presented with a sleek, modern interface and a host of new features designed to enhance productivity, security, and user experience.

In this blog, we break down the key differences between Windows 11 and its predecessor, Windows 10, to help you understand what’s changed, what’s improved, and what it means for your day-to-day computing—whether you’re upgrading your personal device or managing systems across your organisation.

Start Menu Changes

The Windows 11 Start Menu features a centred layout, now offering a clean and modern experience that’s optimised for both mouse and touch users. While it opens from the middle of the taskbar by default, you can move it to the left through Settings if you prefer the classic look.

Windows 10 Start Menu	Windows 11 Start Menu

User Interface

Windows 11 introduces a refreshed UI with rounded corners, a new colour palette, redesigned icons, and a semi-transparent background effect called Mica. These changes offer a softer, more fluid visual experience compared to Windows 10’s sharper, more utilitarian look. Animations and transitions in Windows 11 are also more refined, contributing to a modern and polished feel.

Windows 10 UI	Windows 11 UI

Copy/Paste Menu

Windows 10 Copy/paste Menu	Windows 11 Copy/paste Menu

The copy/paste option is now hidden in a new menu called “Show More Options”. 

1. Users can access this menu by right-clicking on the file or folder they wish to copy.
2. Click on the last option in the list, “Show More Options”.
3. The right click menu will return to the old version and copy/paste will appear.
4. Copy/paste are still available via the menu bar at the top of the window and by using “control+c” and “control+v”.

Multitasking

Multitasking is greatly enhanced in Windows 11 with the introduction of Snap Layouts and Snap Groups. When you hover over the maximize button, you can choose from several layout options to quickly snap windows into organised positions.

Snap Groups let you easily return to your pre-defined window arrangements. Virtual Desktops are also improved with support for custom wallpapers per desktop. Windows 10 offers basic Snap Assist and virtual desktops but lacks these new advanced multitasking tools.

File Explorer

In Windows 11, File Explorer receives a cleaner, more minimalist interface. The traditional ribbon menu is replaced with a streamlined command bar. Right-click context menus are also simplified, with less-used options hidden under “Show more options.”

A major upgrade is the introduction of tabbed browsing in File Explorer, which allows users to open multiple folders within the same window. These updates make navigation and file management more efficient than in Windows 10.

Windows 10 File Explorer	Windows 11 File Explorer (Dark mode)

Widgets

Windows 10 featured Live Tiles in the Start Menu that displayed dynamic content like weather and news. In Windows 11, this functionality is replaced by a dedicated Widgets panel accessible from the taskbar. The panel includes widgets for calendar, weather, news, traffic and more, providing glanceable information in a consolidated space. It’s also customisable based on your interests and location.

Windows 10 Widgets Panel	Windows 11 Widgets Panel

Performance and Updates

Windows 11 is designed for efficiency with smaller, faster updates—up to 40% smaller than those in Windows 10. It also improves battery life and foreground app performance thanks to better resource management.

Boot times and resume-from-sleep speeds are generally faster. These improvements are more noticeable on newer hardware but represent a clear performance gain over Windows 10.

Security and System Requirements

Windows 11 raises the baseline for security by requiring TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and virtualization-based security features by default. These requirements make it harder for malware and firmware attacks to succeed. Windows 10 has strong security features too, but it supports a broader range of older hardware and doesn’t enforce these protections as strictly.

Here’s a quick comparison of security features available in Windows 10 vs. Windows 11:

Unlike Windows 10, which supports a broader range of older processors and BIOS-based systems, Windows 11 enforces stricter CPU compatibility lists supporting only 8th Gen Intel, 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen, and newer chips. This ensures better performance and tighter security integration, but it also limits upgrade options for older devices.

Additionally, Windows 11 requires 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a DirectX 12-compatible graphics card with a WDDM 2.0 driver, marking a shift toward higher performance standards and future-ready hardware. While Windows 10 can still run on legacy systems with minimal specs, Windows 11 is clearly optimised for newer, more capable devices.

Read more about Windows 11 requirements.

Accessibility

Windows 11 builds on the strong accessibility features of Windows 10 with upgrades like Voice Access, live captions, and more natural-sounding Narrator voices. Customisation options for colour filters, contrast themes, and text size are more user-friendly. These enhancements make Windows 11 more inclusive out-of-the-box.

Find out more about Windows 11’s accessibility features.

AI and Collaboration Tools

Windows 11 introduces Copilot, a powerful AI assistant built into the desktop that helps with summarising content, drafting messages, adjusting settings, and answering complex queries—all integrated with Microsoft 365. This marks a major upgrade over Cortana in Windows 10, which was primarily voice-driven and limited to reminders, calendar queries, and simple web searches.

Copilot reflects Microsoft’s shift toward productivity-focused AI, while Microsoft Teams Chat, now pinned to the taskbar, enhances collaboration—features not natively available in Windows 10. If you’ve previously tried Copilot, find out why the latest updates are worth another try.

Removed and Deprecated Features

Several legacy features from Windows 10 are removed in Windows 11, including:

• Live Tiles
• Internet Explorer
• Timeline
• Tablet Mode; and
• the traditional Skype app.

Windows 11 shifts to a more modern and streamlined experience, with Teams Chat integration and dynamic window resizing replacing older elements.

Snapshot of Feature Comparison

Ready to Upgrade? We’re Here to Support You

Windows 11 brings a more refined and modern experience compared to Windows 10. With a redesigned interface, improved multitasking tools, and stronger security features, it’s built for hybrid work and newer hardware. However, users on older machines may need to check compatibility before upgrading. To get further updates on the latest improvements on updated versions of Windows 11, read more from Microsoft.

Whether you’re considering an upgrade or simply curious about what’s new, Windows 11 offers a compelling evolution from Windows 10. With a refreshed interface, smarter multitasking, stronger security, and built-in AI tools like Copilot, it’s designed for the modern workplace and future-ready devices. While the stricter hardware requirements may limit compatibility for some, the benefits for supported systems are clear.

At Diamond IT, we’re here to help you navigate the transition—reach out to our team for tailored advice and support, via our form, on 1300 307 907 or enquiries@diamondit.com.au.