What to expect from Microsoft’s Windows 11 event on April 5
Microsoft’s next Windows 11 event is happening next week. This time, Microsoft is expected to discuss Windows 11 for commercial customers, highlighting how the OS was built for hybrid work scenarios. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and chief product officer Panos Panay are set to take the stage, along with a handful of other presenters, touching on Windows 11 and Microsoft 365.
The event is happening on the Microsoft website on April 5 at 8AM PT. So, what should we expect to see at this event? Let’s put our thinking caps on.
An overview of the first big Windows 11 feature update
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
This event is designed for Microsoft to be able to sit down with commercial customers and essentially “sell” the Windows 11 vision to them. Expect lots of talk about how Windows 11 is great for the enterprise with enhanced security features and group policy additions. Plus, we also expect to hear more about Windows 365, and how Windows 11 can enhance businesses around the world via the cloud.
Additionally, we may see Microsoft talk about a small handful of new Windows 11 features that we haven’t yet seen in the Insider Program officially. Let’s break down what those could be.
Suggested Actions
Source: FireCubeStudios
A new Outlook email app
Source: Windows Central
The new Outlook client is based on web tech, offering a lightweight, fast, email experience that can be deployed across Windows, Mac, and Outlook Web. The app is expected to launch in preview in the coming weeks, so an announcement on April 5 looks likely.
Tabs in File Explorer
Source: Windows Central
It’s a feature that users have requested for a long time, and given its presence on macOS and some Linux distributions, it’s about time Microsoft brought it to Windows as well. The question now is whether Microsoft is ready to talk about it on April 5, or if tabs in File Explorer are planned for next year, instead.
Third party widgets?
Source: Windows Central
Opening up the platform to all developers could allow businesses to build their own widgets for use within the company and with employees. Again, this is a bit of a stretch, but you never know.
Microsoft 365 news and announcements
Source: Windows Central
Microsoft will likely highlight how Microsoft 365 is designed for hybrid work scenarios, with integrations on Windows 11 that enhance your productivity flow thanks to built-in features such as Focus Assist and Do Not Disturb, improvements to docking, multiple monitor settings, and more.
New hardware?
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Surface Laptop Go 2 is expected to be a relatively minor upgrade, with Intel 11th-gen chips on the inside and not much else in the way of new additions. If it’s not announced on April 5, we expect its announcement to follow in the coming weeks as I hear it’s pretty much ready to go.
We’ll have all the announcements…
That’s a rundown of what we’re expecting and hoping to see Microsoft talk about on April 5. Of course, we’ll know for sure what Microsoft is planning to talk about on the day, so be sure to check back here for live coverage of all the announcements coming out of Microsoft’s Windows 11 and Hybrid Work event.
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