Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: What's the Difference (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 16 Mar, 2026

If you’re deciding between Windows 10 and Windows 11, the choice depends on your hardware, needs, and future plans. Windows 11 offers a modern design, better multitasking, stronger security, and AI features, while Windows 10 remains familiar and reliable.

**Note: Microsoft officially ended Windows 10 support on 14 October 2025, meaning no further security updates or feature improvements are available.

Key Differences: Features

Before moving towards the detailed difference between Windows 11 and Windows 10, explore this table to get an overview of what actually changed in Windows 11.

**1. User Interface

**Windows 11:

• Features a modern Fluent Design with rounded corners, smoother animations, and a centered Start Menu and Taskbar for a cleaner look.

Windows 10 vs Windows 11

**Windows 10:

• Retains the classic, familiar Start Menu and Taskbar that have been around since Windows 7. The interface is more traditional and functional but less modern in terms of design.

**2. System Requirements

• Windows 11 requires newer hardware and TPM 2.0 for enhanced security.
• Windows 10 runs well on older systems with lower requirements.

**3. Multitasking and Virtual Desktops

**Windows 11:

• Offers Snap Layouts and Snap Groups which enhances multitasking experience for quickly arrange and manage apps. In addition, Virtual desktops have improved functionality with better animations and the ability to organize workspaces more intuitively.

**Windows 10:

• Provides basic multitasking through Task View, but the snap features and virtual desktop functionality are not as advanced or flexible.

**4. Microsoft Store and App Support

• **Windows 11: Features a redesigned Microsoft Store that now supports Android apps via the Amazon Appstore.
• **Windows 10: This version have the traditional Microsoft Store and lacks support for Android apps with limited applications.

Microsoft Store

**5. Security

• **Windows 11: Upgraded with significant boost in security (TPM 2.0 and Windows Hello) for biometric authentication. These features make it a more secure platform, especially for users with high-security needs.
• **Windows 10: Offers solid security features like BitLocker and Windows Defender, it lacks the newer security protocols found in Windows 11.

Security Feature: Comparison Chart (Win 10 vs. Win 11)

• **Windows 11: The Start Menu is completely redesigned with a simplified, centered layout, featuring pinned and recommended apps.

Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant, is no longer integrated into the taskbar and is now a separate app.

• **Windows 10: Retains the traditional tile-based layout with limited options for customization in the Start Menu. Also, the Cortana is integrated directly into the taskbar, but its functionality is less advanced compared to Windows 11.

Start Menu

7. AI Features Copilot

• **Windows 11: Copilot integrates directly into the OS, offering intelligent assistance across a variety of apps and services such as Mail Composure, Creating charts, Documents Summarization and much more.

Copilot

• **Windows 10: Does not supports Copilot feature.

Performance Difference of Windows 11 and Windows 10

Well, we know that GUI matters, but what about the performance? Here in this section we have created a table that provides you the performance matrices of Windows 11 and Windows 10. So if you are planning to switch from Windows 10 to Windows 11, then keep these performance matrices in your mind.

**Overall Ratings

• **Windows 11: 8.4 / 10
• **Windows 10: 7.8 / 10

**Note: In our testing, Windows 11 scored 8.4 overall, outperforming Windows 10's 7.8. However, these scores may vary depending on your hardware, so be sure to assess performance on your specific system as well.

**8. Gaming Experience

• **Windows 11: Offers advanced gaming features such as Auto HDR for improved visuals, DirectStorage for faster loading times, and better integration.
• **Windows 10: It also provides a good gaming experience, (excluding gaming technologies). It provides solid performance but lacks the latest gaming innovations.

Gaming Experience: Comparison Chart (Win 10 and Win 11)