Since Windows 10 has existed, the question has been asked when will Windows 11 finally come. Basically Windows 10 has been on the market since 2015. Windows 10 is developed according to the service model and is therefore the last Windows. But Microsoft could deviate from its line, because big innovations have been announced. Either way, you can already build a better Windows 10 in the sense of Windows 11.
Software versions are usually numbered consecutively. This sometimes gets out of hand, as you can see, for example, with Firefox and Chrome, which strive towards the three-digit version numbers because they publish a new release every four weeks. At Microsoft, at least at first glance, things are different: The big name is and will be Windows 10 and has been since 2015.
But if you take a closer look, Windows 10 of course also has version numbers, even several. If you want to know exactly, use the "winver" command to display the build number, currently 19043.xyz. Windows 11 has long been something that fans wanted, but Microsoft fell on deaf ears with it. But that could change soon. A big Windows event has been announced for June 24th to explain how things are going with Windows. And suddenly there is hope for Windows 11 again.
We don't want to speculate too much beforehand. But the fact is, you don't have to wait for Microsoft to deliver certain look updates or functions, you can get a Windows 11 in the sense of an improved Windows 10 at any time. We have a couple of suggestions.
Windows 10 Update Assistant 1.4.9200.23367
With the Microsoft tool "Windows 10 Update Assistant" you can update your computer to the latest Windows 10 version "May 2021 Update".
Microsoft launcher
Microsoft has its own launcher under development. Windows users like to discuss the start menu, but there are discerning alternatives. Because a start menu is actually old school, after all, it's been around since Windows 95. Much more modern and more suitable for Windows 11 would be to switch to a launcher. But you no longer have to get it from third-party providers, Microsoft develops one itself as part of its PowerToys . This is actually a useful collection of additional tools for a better Windows 10 and that would ultimately also be the claim for a self-built Windows 11.
But back to the launcher, Microsoft's launcher is simply called PowerToys Run and it is woken up via the key combination [Alt] + [Space]. Then just type in the first few letters of the program you want to start and off you go. Microsoft has announced that it will equip the launcher with further features so that you also get a real search replacement for files and folders. Incidentally , the model for the development is Wox , which, in combination with Everything, is already a permanent fixture on many Windows computers.
Microsoft PowerToys 0.41.3
The PowerToys, practical little utilities from Windows 95, are now on Windows 10. The current preview version includes the tools FancyZones, File Explorer Preview, Image Resizer, Keyboard Manager, PowerRename, PowerToys Run and Shortcut Guide.
Tabs for Explorer
Tabs add value to Explorer.
For a Windows 11 you definitely need a wow function. But what you would also need would be many small features that have been required for years. At the top of this list are tabs for Explorer. If you want to have them, you currently have to use a third-party tool, such as QTTabBar .
Microsoft has already worked on tabs for Windows 10 under the name Sets. The functions were not limited to Explorer, but intended for all programs, that's why the idea was put on hold again. But maybe something will come from Microsoft here.
QTTabBar v1043
With QTTabBar you equip your Windows Explorer with a cool tab function, as you know it from your browser.
One command line for everything
Microsoft is reinventing the command line with Windows Terminal.
More experienced users come into contact with the command line. But Windows has several of them. Microsoft therefore started the development of Windows Terminal last year on GitHub and plans to install the program in Windows 10 soon. If you want to retrofit the new Windows Terminal quickly, you can easily download it from the Microsoft Store . Click on "Download" and "Install" one after the other and you can start the new Windows Terminal. The big advantage of the Windows Terminal is that you no longer have to open PowerShell, CMD and WSL in parallel, but get everything under one hood. Thanks to tabs, yes there are tabs here, you can also combine them wonderfully in one window.
Windows Terminal - Windows 10 App 1.8.1521
"Windows Terminal", the new command line for Windows 10, can now be downloaded free of charge from the Microsoft Store.
The better Microsoft Store
Unlike in the store, the package manager has all of your favorite tools.
With the Microsoft Store, Windows 10 has an app store on board. But it doesn't work like you know it on mobile phones, because the preferred tools are not available there. Windows 11, if it comes up, should change that. The Windows Package Manager Client is an alternative that is currently available. The tool is a package manager that you can use to install software via the command line. Linux, for example, has been able to do this forever. You can use the "winget search" command to display which tools can be installed. Well-known tools such as 7Zip, VLC media player, GIMP, Evernote, Blender, Everything and more are included.
For example, you can use "winget install vlc" to install the media player. The developers recently made the jump to version 1.0, so the most important functions are already integrated. So that users who are not so fond of using the command line can also benefit from it, there are now also graphical interfaces for the package manager.
Windows Package Manager 1.0.1 Final
The "Windows Package Manager" is Microsoft's new package manager solution.
Winstall - GUI for Windows Package Manager (winget) Final
Winstall brings the new package manager for Windows directly into your browser. You can use it to install over 650 popular tools via script.
HandyWinget GUI for Windows Package Manager 3.4.1
The small tool "HandyWinget GUI" provides you with a graphical user interface for the Windows Package Manager.
Make Windows more beautiful
A touch of macOS blows over the Windows desktop with WinDynamicDesktop.
Optics are also important for an operating system and Windows has some catching up to do here. Microsoft has been working on it for a long time under the name "Sun Valley". But there are plenty of tools that can be used to spruce up the operating system. WinDynamicDesktop , a free program that retrofits a macOS function on Windows, is pretty cool . Wallpaper change dynamically depending on the time of day.