TL; DR
- Microsoft announced that the Windows 11 release date will be October 5th.
- This version lacks the highly anticipated ability to run Android apps natively.
- Microsoft will begin testing Android app support through the Insider program in the coming months.
Microsoft just announced that Windows 11 will be out on October 5th. It’s been a while since Microsoft announced the next major version of the Windows operating system. The new version is currently being tested in beta via the Windows Insider Program.
Related: Windows 11 beta impressions
Eligible Windows 10 PCs will receive the free upgrade from this date. In addition, new PCs with Windows 11 will be available for purchase from October 5th, Microsoft has announced in a new blog post. There is one major catch with this introduction, however. Windows 11 doesn’t come with native Android app support when it arrives.
Support for Android native apps for Windows 11 will be available later, with insider testing starting soon
Microsoft has highlighted a number of features that Windows 11 ships with on startup. This includes the new design, snap layouts, an updated start menu, the integration of Microsoft Teams and more.
The notable exception, however, is one of those many of us have been looking forward to. That launch will include the new Microsoft Store, but the company says it is still working on its journey to bring Android apps to Windows 11.
Aaron Woodman, general manager of Windows Marketing at Microsoft, noted that Android app support, which is being developed in partnership with Amazon and Intel, will begin testing through the Windows Insider Program in the coming months.
We asked, you told us: Most of you are planning to upgrade to Windows 11
The announcement also emphasizes that Windows 11 will be rolled out on a “phased and measured approach”. While this feature, which is lacking at launch, may be a disappointment to some, Microsoft says it focuses on quality so we can expect the final product to work well.
In the meantime, if you want to install Windows 11 on an older, unsupported PC, you will have to use an ISO to install it manually and you may lose access to Windows updates in the future.
Native Android app support for Windows 11 is reasonably estimated to arrive sometime in 2022.
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