Environment
MiWorkspace, Windows 11
Issue
What’s New in Windows 11 for MiWorkspace?
Information
Windows 11 is the most recent version of Microsoft’s Operating Systems for desktops and laptops. MiWorkspace is working to make Windows 11 available for early testers now, but will be making Windows 11 the default Operating System for MiWorkspace on campus builds and at home Windows systems in June 2023.
Windows 11 is very similar to Windows 10 in many ways, but there are a few differences. Windows 11 includes many changes to the user interface, new and expanded accessibility features, feature and performance improvements, increased hardware requirements, and new security features as listed here:
Changes to the User Interface
-
New look and behavior of the Start Menu
- Start Button appears in the middle of the screen (a setting allows moving it to the left)
- Apps are pinned here
- If you click the “All Apps” button you will see a full list of applications like you had in Windows 10
-
New look and behavior of the Taskbar
- All open application windows are grouped in the Taskbar
- If you have a 2-in-1 machine, a new, second option to login appears
- The Start button has two additional options, disconnect and sign-in
-
New look and behavior of Windows Explorer
- More colorful folders and icons
- Change in Windows Explorer context menu (right click menu)
- Right clicking in Explorer brings up a new (shorter) menu but selecting ‘Show More options’ will show the rest of the options
- You can SHIFT+right click to get the longer menu immediately
- Classic extensions don’t appear in the right click menu (e.g., 7Zip, Crowdstrike Scan, Play with VLC, etc)
- Tabbed Explorer Windows (right click on a location and select ‘open in new tab’)
- New feature of Snap Groups and Snap Layouts
- Snap Layouts let users organize apps and windows more efficiently by grouping them together -- similar to how users can group apps on Android and iOS
- For example, open windows can be arranged as squares
- Snap Groups lets users quickly go back to their Snap Layouts when they hover on the taskbar
-
Other changes
- Rounded corners on forms
- More interactive widgets for news, weather, maps, photos, and music
- System Tray volume, network, and battery settings have been moved into a single control menu. Clicking one of these icons opens the control menu for all of them.
- Some settings have been moved from Control Panel to the Settings app:
- Programs & Features
- Devices & Printers
- Default programs
- VPN and Advanced sharing settings
- Note: If you try to access these settings in Control Panel, you might be redirected to the Settings app
New Recycling Bin behaviors & options
- The Recycling Bin in Windows 11 may auto-delete items in the trash.
- The deletion behavior may depend on the age of the files or the size of the hard-drive.
- The settings can be changed by customers without admin access.
- [No admin rights - no UAC, If Admin - UAC when opening the Storage page in Settings.]
More accessibility and user friendly features
- Windows + U key combination to get to all accessibility features
- Improved built-in natural narrator and comprehensive voice typing and command system
- Live captions - enable captions for incoming audio or video
- New features and improved support for pen, and stylus devices for touch screens
- More and customizable touchpad gestures supported
Feature and Performance Improvements
- Faster screen unlock and wake from sleep
- Optimization of the system apps in the background and providing longer battery life at a high-performance time
- Better docking experience - when you disconnect from the dock to leave apps are minimized when their current monitor disappears, but when you reconnect, Windows 11 remembers where you had those windows.
- Improved multiple desktops experience
- General performance improvements with Intel 12th Generation CPUs
- Improved Terminal experience with multiple tabs
- Better Xbox integrations (new controller bar for faster switching to last game played and Auto HDR increases the range of colors both new and old games can produce)
- Dedicated features for gaming like Direct Storage and Auto HDR for improving graphics quality.
- Android applications can be run on Windows 11 through the Microsoft store and integration with the Amazon App store
Hardware Requirements
- MWS Desktops HP Pro Desk 600 G4 and newer and MWS laptops EliteBook 840 G5 and newer
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).
- RAM: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater.
- Storage: 64 GB or greater available storage is required to install Windows 11.
- Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
- Display: High definition (720p) display, 9" or greater monitor, 8 bits per color channel.
- Internet connection: Internet connectivity is necessary to perform updates, and to download and use some features.
Security Improvements
- Requirement for TPM 2.0 - improving hard drive encryption security
- Improved Credential Guard integration
- Lock on leave and wake on approach feature
Connection to University Resources
MiWorkspace has also changed the method by which Windows 11 computers connect to University resources on campus when the Windows 11 computer is being used off campus. We have removed DirectAccess and instead are using a Cisco management tunnel that works similarly to DirectAccess in that it starts automatically and connects without requiring you to login. This will provide VPN connection to campus services when you are off campus and you should not launch the Cisco VPN client to connect to services like Bomgar because it's already connected. Launching the Cisco VPN client when on the management tunnel will cause the tunnel to disconnect. When on campus, the management tunnel detects a campus connection and will turn itself off.
Q. How does Duo work w/ the Cisco management tunnel?
A. Duo isn't needed for Cisco management tunnel. The MWS device is already trusted, and isn't reliant on the customer to log-in.
Q. Does 'Always On' mean ALL traffic?
A. No, only UM IPs/traffic will go over this; Works like the 'Only U-M Traffic' VPN profile that you're used to now.
Additional Information
Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.