Emily Newton is a technology and industrial journalist. She is the Editor in Chief of Revolutionized.

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s first major operating system update since Windows 10 launched in 2015. It brings an impressive set of new features as well as a clean visual redesign that might convince Mac fans to switch. Upgrading to Windows 11 might come with a catch for some users, though, so there are some important things you should know about the update before installing it on your devices. Use this Windows 11 review as a guideline to determine if you should install it or not.

1. Your PC Will Look Different

The most immediately recognizable change to the Windows operating system (OS) is the visual overhaul that Microsoft designed. Windows 11 has a clean, modern appearance that many are comparing to Apple’s Mac OS. The taskbar and start button are now located in the center of the screen's bottom edge, although they can be manually moved back to the left side. The start menu also now has a sleek, simplified layout of tiles for all the user’s installed apps and recently used files.

One big change that is getting a lot of attention from Windows users is the new panel features. Users get all kinds of options for easy “snap” layouts, making multitasking extremely user-friendly. This is especially beneficial for those who like to use an external or second monitor. Windows 11 will remember the panel layout applied while the monitor is connected and revert to it the next time the monitor is connected, making jumping back and forth easy.

2. You Will Need a Microsoft Account

A Microsoft account is required to download and install Windows 11, although current Windows users don’t need to pay anything extra to get the update. This is helpful for users since it makes backing up all your files easy, which is necessary before upgrading to Windows 11. While the OS upgrade isn’t likely to ruin any files, it is always better to be on the safe side and create a backup of everything on your PC anyway. Luckily, making a Microsoft account is free and only takes a few minutes.

3. You Can Use Android Apps on Your PC

One unique new feature on Windows 11 is native support for Android apps. Using mobile apps natively on PCs and laptops was formerly exclusive to Apple’s Mac computers. That is no longer the case, thanks to a collaboration between Microsoft and Amazon. The two tech giants have teamed up to bring mobile apps from the Amazon store to Windows devices without the need for any unreliable third parties.

Users will need a Microsoft and Amazon account to use the feature, but both are free to create. While the Amazon app store doesn’t include everything available on the Google Play store, it does feature a large majority of the most popular ones, such as TikTok. All you need to do to access mobile apps on your Windows 11 computer is download the Amazon app store in the Microsoft shop.

4. It Will Be More Secure

One of the most significant under-the-hood updates to the Windows OS is some serious security updates from Microsoft. Cybersecurity has become a much bigger deal for all PC and laptop owners over the last couple of years. The surge in popularity of working from home was a major cause for this. Cyberattacks have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic set in in 2020, making it crucial for individual computers to be equipped with as much security software as possible.

Windows 11 was designed with this in mind and comes packed with new security features. For example, Microsoft requires PCs to have a certain set of security hardware to upgrade to Windows 11. While this excludes some devices from upgrading, it also ensures that all users are prepared with the minimum defenses against cyber threats.

5. Your Graphics Could Look Better

Those who need a powerful workstation or gaming performance will find it worthwhile to upgrade to Windows 11. Thanks to Microsoft’s increasing integration of Xbox features into the Windows OS, Windows 11 comes with heightened graphics capabilities that could be useful for graphic design, intensive editing software and 3D modeling, in addition to videogames.

For example, Windows 11 enables DirectStorage on compatible PCs, allowing the GPU to communicate directly with the SSD rather than going through the CPU. This makes graphics processing much faster, allowing faster loading times, such as when starting up a program or loading a new level in a video game. Another feature from the Xbox is Auto HDR graphics, which will automatically load in any compatible program with no extra action needed from the user.

6. It May Not Be Compatible With All Devices

While many of the new Windows 11 features may sound great, not everyone should or can upgrade to the latest Windows OS. There are some problems with Windows 11 to be aware of. Microsoft has released details about which devices will be eligible for the free upgrade to Windows 11, eliminating many older ones. Computers must have a 64-bit CPU since 32-bit CPUs will no longer be supported beyond Windows 10. Microsoft has a few tools you can use to check if your device’s hardware is compatible with Windows 11, such as PC Health Check.

However, Windows 11 has one key issue that is making certain PC owners highly reluctant to upgrade from Windows 10. Anyone who currently owns a purpose-built gaming PC or is researching building a gaming PC should be aware of performance issues with Windows 11. Users have begun reporting decreases on AMD CPUs, particularly the AMD 2000 series.

Tech experts on YouTube have discussed the situation in-depth, but it essentially amounts to performance cuts of up to 15% on AMD brand CPUs. No similar issue has been reported for Intel CPUs, likely due to Microsoft’s much closer collaboration during the development of Windows 11. This is disappointing, especially considering the new graphics features added from the Xbox. Until Microsoft addresses and resolves performance cuts with AMD processors, users who prefer their Ryzen CPU over its Intel counterpart may want to wait to install Windows 11.

Who Should Upgrade?

Upgrading to Windows 11 is a good idea for most everyday users, especially those looking for improved productivity features and mobile app compatibility. People who want to work on a powerful PC, particularly those running AMD processors, may not want to switch to Windows 11. It is important to remember that this upgrade is still fairly new, so Microsoft may need to work out issues and updates as they arise. Overall, though, this is a polished, exciting refresh to a familiar and reliable operating system.