Windows 11 is the latest Windows operating system released by Microsoft in October 2021. It was released as a free upgrade to Windows 10 devices that meet the strict minimum Windows 11 system requirements. Windows 11, the successor to the widely used and praised Windows 10 is a breath of fresh air, but it is not without flaws and faults. If you’re considering upgrading to the latest version of the world’s most popular operating system, this review of Windows 11 is a must-read, as I’ll be looking at the best and worst features of the new operating system.
Price and Availability
Windows 11 is free for anyone to download if their computer meets the minimum system requirements.
It is simple to download and install. Microsoft officially provided three options for downloading and installing Windows 11 on computers. Computers running Windows 10 that meet the system requirements are notified automatically through the Windows Update section of Settings when the upgrade is ready, where they can easily download and install it.
Windows 11 is also available on brand new laptops that meet the operating system’s system requirements and were produced after it was released.
A Microsoft account and an internet connection will be required for anybody to use Windows 11. You’ll be stuck at the setup page if you don’t have these. This provides a variety of advantages, including single-sign-on for Office, OneDrive backup, syncing settings across many devices, full-disk encryption for the system drive, and the option to reinstall Windows without a serial number. While this is understandable from one perspective, it may frustrate those who simply want to use a computer on occasion without having to create an account or have regular internet access.
The requirement for the TPM 2.0 hardware security chip, which is not found in most computers, reduces availability. This is because, even if their computer meets the rest of the requirements, not everyone can upgrade to the latest operating system. Even the most modern computers lack the hardware chip, so updating to Windows 11 may require purchasing a new computer.
More than Just a Fresh Coat of Paint
Windows 11’s new visual design and user interface are a breath of fresh air. When upgrading from Windows 10, this is the most significant and apparent change.
A redesigned user interface can be found across the operating system, thanks to Microsoft’s new Fluent Design language. Fluent Design is Microsoft’s successor to Metro Design, which was introduced with Windows 8. Everything appears to be more modern and refined, giving the interface a new level of slickness and uniformity. The UI features a lot of transparency, shadows, a new color palette, and rounded geometry.
Windows 11 is packed with a variety of theme options. You can choose from a set of default themes or design the best visual aesthetic for yourself. It comes with eight pre-installed themes and you can even download more on the Microsoft Store. When customizing a Windows theme, you can select your background images, colors, fonts, sounds, mouse cursors, contrasts, and more.
The built-in Windows programs File Explorer, Paint, Snipping Tool, and others have all been refreshed and updated. Unlike previous versions, File Explorer now has a streamlined ribbon along the top, resulting in a less crowded and congested menu bar. The context menus for right-clicking are likewise shorter, cleaner, and smarter, displaying only the most frequently used options.
Even though Windows 11 sports a fresh design, when you go deeper, there are still some similarities with the previous Windows 10 design. For example, if you right-click in a folder and bring up the ‘Properties’ menu, you’ll find the same settings as before, but with rounded buttons and a new icon. Although the new Windows 11 may appear to be a reskin of the old Windows10, the new Fluent Design language is a pleasant improvement.
Taskbar and Start Menu
The new centralized taskbar, which is permanently pinned to the bottom of the screen, is a noticeable difference in the UI. It takes a little getting used to, but if you don’t like it, you can quickly go back to the familiar left side of the screen in Settings.
If you’re using Windows 11 on a tablet device, the centered alignment makes sense from a usability standpoint, but with a mouse, it doesn’t, and you’ll probably want to change it back to the left. The buttons are smaller and less informative. They don’t show you which programs are running and which are just pinned as plainly as Windows 10. You can’t make them wider, and they don’t show download or processing progress as Windows 10 apps can. Finally, the Windows 11 taskbar lacks drag-and-drop functionality, though Microsoft is said to be working on improving this in future versions.
The Start menu has also been redesigned. Like the taskbar, everything is centered and its design also abides by the Fluent Design language. Pinned app buttons are at the top of the panel while recent and frequent apps and documents are in a section below them.
Visually the Start menu looks great, but digging deeper reveals the flaws. For example, when you try to search for something, it launches the Search app, which is a bit jarring when it switches between this and the Start menu. It lacks the uniformity of the Windows 10 Start menu, which allows you to search for something and get quick results. It feels half-baked and slower than before. The Start menu in Windows 10 provides quick access to power, settings, and folders. It also prioritizes the most frequently used and newly installed programs. That’s all lost in Windows 11, which instead offers Suggested and Pinned app and document icons.
The Start menu has potential, but it has to be improved. The current design appears unfinished and is more suited to tablets than laptops and desktop computers and has drawn much criticism from users and a number of publications of review of Windows 11.
Security
The requirements for Windows 11 sparked a lot of debate, mostly since the operating system required TPM2.0, which made upgrading to Windows 11 nearly impossible without it.
The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a hardware chip whose function is to protect data used to authenticate the computer you are using. The TPM can also be used to keep the platform secure, enable disk encryption, store passwords and certificates, and so on. TPM chips are useful in terms of overall system security, which Microsoft believes it needs to enforce with Windows 11. This tries to increase system security in general, particularly against hackers. This alone elevates Windows 11’s security to the top of the security list. This should be a key take-away from this review of Windows 11.
Windows Defender, the built-in antivirus program in Windows 11, is still a formidable force. It defends against almost every sort of malware. It also oversees lots of additional security features, including firewall and network protection, app and browser control, device security, and even parental controls. Although Windows Defender is more than capable of defending computers without the need for third-party antivirus software, it suspends itself when you install a third-party solution to avoid conflict.
User Experience and Accessibility
Windows 11 is fast and responsive. The transition from one folder to the next, and from one window to the next, is much faster than in Windows 10. In Windows 11, multitasking has been substantially improved. New features like Snap Groups, which allow you to return to previously snapped windows from the dock, allowing you to get to your email app, Edge browser windows, or anything else without having to snap them back to the previous view, are improving the way users operate with numerous programs.
When you hover over the maximize button, a new feature called Snap Layouts appears, which brings up a choice with multiple grids. Snap Assist will walk you through the process of arranging windows in the remaining zones once you’ve chosen a layout and position. Snap Assist only allowed about three distinct window layouts in the past, but with Snap layouts, you may now have up to six different window layouts. However, the number will be determined by the screen size.
In terms of poor user experience, the taskbar and Start menu stand out the most. They both have difficulties that make navigating the interface and accessing files, apps, and folders difficult. It will take some time for you to adjust. As you try to search for something, for example, it starts the Search app, which is startling when it jumps back and forth between this and the Start menu. It lacks the uniformity of the Windows 10 Start menu, which allows you to search for something and get quick results. Hopefully, as time passes and Microsoft releases patches, many of the terrible user experience issues will be resolved.
Windows 11 also includes a new feature that simplifies the use of external displays. When you disconnect the external display, for example, all of the applications on the secondary screen will instantly reduce. When you reconnect the monitor, the apps will return to their original location automatically. If you detach a laptop from an external monitor, for example, Windows will remember where some apps were installed.
You’ll be offered the opportunity to move files and your desktop from OneDrive, Microsoft’s online storage service when you first start up a PC with a fresh install of Windows 11. It’s a very useful tool that will benefit a lot of people, especially when it comes to setting up a new PC for the first time.
Accessibility is emphasized more in Windows 11. Audio alerts for visually impaired users now include notifications for when a message box opens, when an update is available, and much more. Voice Typing can also assist users in converting voice to text. Magnification programs, speech commander apps, and screen readers all get enhanced support.
Gaming
PC gamers will be pleased to learn that Windows 11 includes updates and enhancements to gaming capabilities and software. The Xbox Game Pass subscription service is available through a built-in Xbox app in Windows 11. This implies that PC gamers can play Halo Infinite, Sea of Thieves, Battlefield, and other Xbox games that are available through the service. Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft’s streaming game platform, is also featured.
All new features that boost PC gaming include greater Virtual Reality and HDR support for games, DirectStorage for faster game loading times, and Auto HDR for making non-HDR games look better in terms of contrast. These features put PC gaming on par with Xbox gaming, although PC gaming is still dependent on hardware types.
Conclusion
From this review of Windows 11, it is conclusive that the latest operating system is a breath of new air. With the new Fluent Design language, Microsoft has nailed the visual design, proving to be a worthy replacement for the old Metro Design. It’s a pleasant upgrade that pulls Windows’ appearance and color into the present day.
In many respects, Windows 11 is closer to competitors like MacOS, Android, and Chrome than it has ever been, which I think is a positive thing. Windows 11 delivers a fresh new design, handy new features, updated default programs, expanded capabilities, and improved performance.
There is, however, more work to be done. Because you’re looking at the same functions as before, but with softer corners and a new icon, it can frequently feel like the redesign is nothing more than a reskin of Windows 10. The taskbar and Start menu, for example, might require additional refinement and upgrades because they currently lack the features and capabilities of their Windows 10 counterparts. Microsoft needs to go deeper and attempt to improve and refine several features and applications to bring them up to modern standards.
It is still early days for this new version of the operating system that’s used on 1.3 billion PCs, so we look forward to Microsoft fine-tuning and perfecting Windows 11’s design in future updates.
Have you installed and tested Windows 11 yet? In the comments box, let us know what you think of the operating system.
Windows 11 is the latest Windows operating system released by Microsoft in October 2021.
Is Windows 11 better than Windows 10?
Windows 11 brings forth a fresh new design but the two operating systems are very similar under the hood. If your PC has less RAM and CPU power, Windows 11 will offer better performance than Windows 10.
Should I Upgrade to Windows 11?
Some time has passed since it was released and Microsoft has released updates and patches fixing bugs and adding features. If your computer meets the minimum requirements, it is best to upgrade.
What is TPM 2.0?
TPM is a hardware chip that stands for Trusted Platform Module, and its job is to protect data used to authenticate the PC you are using. TPM 2.0 is required to run Windows 11, as an important building block for security-related features.
What if I don’t like Windows 11 and want to go back?
If you installed Windows 11 on your computer through Windows Update, you can easily roll back the upgrade by going to Settings>System>Recovery and choosing “Go Back”. Bear in mind that this can only be done within 10 days of the initial upgrade to Windows 11.
If it’s been longer than the default of 10 days and you no longer have the option to roll back to Windows 10, you can only do a fresh installation of Windows 10.
If you have any more questions that have not been featured in the FAQs, please leave a comment.
Tubani recipe is another northern Nigerian dish that is primarily consumed by Hausas. It is prepared in three (3) different methods just like Gauda as a result of the differences in the ingredients used.
It can be made with masara and waken soya (maize and soya beans); also, it can be made with white beans and maize alone. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to prepare Tubani in three distinct methods. Please stick with me!
How to Make Tubani Recipe with Masara and Soya Beans
Ingredients
2 cups of maize 2 cups of soya beans 4 spoons of baobab leaf powder (Kuka) A small piece of potash (kanwa) Powdered pepper Vegetable or palm oil or soup Maggi
Procedure for Preparing Tubani with Masara and Waken Soya
STEP 1: Remove the dirt from the maize and soya beans and thoroughly combine them. (In Hausa, the word cakudawa means’mix.’)
STEP 2: Grind or blend the ingredients until finely ground, then filter into a basin or container. Then, STEP 3: Soak and set aside the potash.
STEP 4: Thoroughly combine the contents of STEP 2 with the kuka (Baobab leaf powder).
STEP 5: Pour the potash into the bowl and thoroughly mix it in.
STEP 6: Next, slowly drizzle in the water while mixing to make a dough that is neither too thick nor too thin.
STEP 7: Fetch the dough with your hand and mould it to the shape you want then set it aside.
STEP 8: Continue until all of the dough has been used up.
STEP 9: In a clean saucepan over medium heat, pour water, place the contents in STEP 7 in the pot, and cover the pot with the lid. Allow for 40 minutes of cooking time, just like Danwake.
STEP 10: Scoop the Tubani one by one after turning off the heat and put in a clean warmer.
STEP 11: Fry your oil for only 2 minutes (vegetable or palm oil).
STEP 12: Your Tubani with masara and wake is ready!
How to Make Tubani Recipe with Masara and White Beans (Farin Wake)
Ingredients
2 cups of beans 2 spoons of baobab leaf powder (Kuka) A small piece of potash (kanwa) Powdered pepper Vegetable or palm oil or soup Maggi
Procedure for Preparing Tubani with Wake (Beans)
STEP 1: Separate the beans from the dirt.
STEP 2: Fill a clean basin halfway with water and soak the beans for 10 minutes.
STEP 3: Rinse the beans thoroughly to remove the grain shafts.
STEP 4: Immediately after washing, blend or grind it to produce a thick dough.
STEP 5: Add the maggi into the dough and thoroughly mix.
STEP 6: Fetch the dough with your hand and mould it to the shape you want then set it aside. Repeat the same process until the entire dough is exhausted.
STEP 7: Over medium heat, get a clean pot, pour water in it, arrange the content in STEP 6 in the pot, and cover the lid of the pot. Allow to cook for 40 minutes just like Danwake.
STEP 8: After turning off the heat, scoop the Tubani one by one and place them in a clean warmer.
STEP 9: Fry your oil (vegetable or palm oil) for just 2 minutes.
STEP 10: Your Tubani with wake (beans) is ready!
How to Make Tubani Recipe with Masara (Maize)
Ingredients
Same with the ingredients for Tubani made from maize and soya beans
Procedure for Preparing Tubani with Masara (Maize)
The procedure is the same as that of Tubani made from Maize and soya beans except that in this case, no soya beans.
How to Serve TubaniRecipe
Tubani is usually served with Miyan Taushe, which is typically poured over the tubani. Powdered pepper, Maggi, and oil could be put on top of the Tubani before serving. Alternatively, you could simply place the Tubani on one plate and the oil, pepper, and maggi combined on another platter, and then consume the Tubani by dipping it in the second plate.
Occasions to Serve Tubani Recipe Best
Tubani is suitable for consumption at any time of the day. It could also be consumed as one of our three fundamental meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). When eaten as a dessert, it isn’t a bad idea.
How to Store TubaniRecipe
If you keep it submerged in water, it will last for 24 hours. When refrigerated, however, it will last 3 to 4 days.
Tubani recipe is a delicious northern Nigerian dish that is simple to cook, as you’ve seen above. You’ll get there if you properly follow the steps. I hope you found this article to be useful.
Anyway, that concludes this amazing meal. Make it for yourself or your family, and let us know how it goes in the comments area below.
Hanjin Ligidi is a delicacy or cuisine that is primarily consumed by children. It’s a popular cuisine in northern Nigeria, particularly among the Hausas.
I recall drinking a lot of this as a kid, along with Charbin Malam, Dan Tamatsitsi, and other similar beverages. I still find it fascinating and amazing when I eat it from time to time to reminisce about the good old days.
If you follow this piece as a reference, it will be quite simple to prepare.
Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
¼ tier of sugar
Flavour (your choice)
Tsamiya (tamarind)
A cup of water
Funnel-shaped paper
Procedure for Preparing Hanjin Ligidi
STEP 1: Spread the tamarind (tsamiya) on a big surface, such as a tray, and dust off the tsamiya’s surface.
STEP 2: Wash the tamarind (tsamiya) thoroughly in a clean bowl of water and drain.
STEP 3: Fill the bowl with water once again to soak the tamarind for 30 minutes. You might use hot water to speed up the soaking process and attain your aim in as little as 5 minutes.
STEP 4: Place a clean pot over medium heat and sieve the soaked tamarind into the pot. Allow to come to a boil.
STEP 5: Pour in the sugar, stirring constantly as you pour. Carry on like this until the mixture becomes very thick.
STEP 6: Finally, add your flavouring to the pot’s contents and stir well.
STEP 7: Remove the pan from the heat and pour the contents of STEP 6 into your funnel-shaped paper and put a toothpick in it. Repeat this procedure till all Hanjin Ligidi have been used up.
STEP 8: Set aside for 10 minutes to cool.
STEP 9: Your Hangin Ligidi is ready for consumption.
How to Serve Hanjin Ligidi
It is served the way snacks are served. To consume it, you will have to peel off the paper off the Hanjin Ligidi and hold the toothpick with your thumb and index finger and lick. Oh, my God, I’m salivating already.
Occasions to Serve Hanjin Ligidi Best
This recipe is suitable for consumption at any time of day. You know how kids are: they’ll eat anything at any moment.
How to Store Hanjin Ligidi
It can last for months without being refrigerated if kept in a secure location away from children and rodents.
Kilishi (spicy Nigerian beef jerky) is a popular Northern snack and a delicacy gotten from drying meat for a long period of time. This Kilishi recipe is sold mostly in the Northern parts of Nigeria as it originated from the Hausa’s, but the good news is you can also make this delicacy at home.
Let’s tell you how.
Ingredients
Boneless meat 1-2 tablespoons of honey 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil 2 tablespoons red food colouring 1-2 tablespoon vinegar (optional) Salt to taste 1-2 seasoning cubes 1 tablespoon garlic (powdered) 1 tablespoon onion powder ½ teaspoon of powdered cloves 1 tablespoon dried pepper (crushed pepper, cayenne pepper) ½ teaspoon of nutmeg (powdered or crushed)
Procedures in Making Nigerian Beef Jerky
STEP 1: Make sure you wash your boneless meat carefully before preparing this Kilishi recipe. Remove any trace of fats from it.
STEP 2: Carefully slice your meat as thin as possible using a sharp knife. Slicing meat is easier when meat is frozen. If you can’t do this, get sliced meat from the butchers because they have the sharpest knife for this job.
STEP 3: After slicing all your meat, place them on parchment (or baking) paper on an oven tray.
STEP 4: Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes at 200F. Then;
STEP 5: Turn the meat pieces over to the other side and bake again for another 30-45 minutes till dry. You notice your meat having a brownish colour now.
STEP 6: This method is done easily, thanks to technology. But in the North, instead of using the oven, the meat is dried in the sun for hours till the meat gets dry. If you don’t have an oven, I suggest you go the local way. It hurts nobody and it gets the job done.
STEP 7: Now, let’s make our spicy sauce while it continues to bake.
STEP 8: Mix all the ingredients listed above in a bowl.
STEP 9: Using a whisk or a spoon, give this a stir.
STEP 10: Add in water to create a paste and to ease you in stirring. Give this mix a stir gradually till ingredients are well incorporated.
STEP 11: Add salt and little water if the paste is too thick or better yet add water till your desired consistency is achieved.
STEP 12: Now, add in food colouring for that distinct Kilishi recipe look! Then;
STEP 13: Take out the Kilishi from the oven.
STEP 14: Using a pastry brush, brush the Kilishi spicy sauce onto the meat. Then;
STEP 15: Brush evenly on both sides till well spread. After this;
STEP 16: Put the meat back in the oven for 10-15 minutes for that dryness and crispy taste.
STEP 17: Tada! Note: The longer it stays, the drier it gets. Decide on what texture you want it to be.
Recipes That Best Goes With Kilishi
You can eat Kilishi with Jollof Rice, Spaghetti and it can be used to make soup too. Better yet, enjoy this delicacy with a cold bottle of your favourite soft drink.
Ways to Serve Kilishi
This Kilishi recipe can be enjoyed over lunch and dinner. It can also be made for friends and family over the weekend.
Occasions to serve best
The Nigerian beef jerky can stay for months without losing its taste and as such, it can be served anytime any day, and of course anywhere. Be sure to have something to enjoy with.
Nutritional Value of Kilishi
Kilishi is a staple food that is enriched with a unique taste, low-fat content, and nutritional value. It is high in protein, calories but with no vitamins.
How to Store Kilishi
Store Kilishi in a cool dry place. You can store this in a container or a plastic bag. Make sure it has no contact with water.
Conclusion
There, you’ll never be the same again after making your own Kilishi recipe! Be sure to make some holes in your meat for added beauty and work of art. Tell us in the comment section when you do.
Miyan Lalo recipe/Miyar Lalo also known as Jute Leave Soup or Ewedu Soup in English language is a delicacy specifically consumed in the Northern part of Nigeria and specifically among the Hausa ethnic groups. It is easy to make, tastes good when prepared well, and is enjoyed by a lot of people. This article seeks to teach you how to prepare Miyan Lalo (yadda ake Miyar Lalo)
What are we waiting for? Let’s get started with the ingredients needed to make this sumptuous soup first.
Ingredients
2 bunches of Lalo leaves (Jute leaves) Fresh pepper, onions, garlic, and ginger Meat Seasoning cubes and salt to taste A little potash (kanwa) 2 medium locust beans (daddawa) 3 cups of water 1 cup of palm oil (optional)
Procedure for Preparing Miyan Lalo
STEP 1: Grate or grind your fresh pepper and onions and set them aside.
STEP 2: Pound the locust bean (daddawa) into a fine powder and set it aside as well.
STEP 3: Wash your Lalo leaves properly and cut them into small pieces and set them aside as well.
STEP 4: Wash the meat and put them in a pot over medium heat. Add your grated onions, ginger, and garlic to it. Also, add your seasonings to it and add water. Cover the pot with its lid and allow 30 minutes of cooking time.
STEP 5: Add the grinded daddawa (powdered locust bean) and seasoning cubes with salt to taste too. Cover to cook for 25 minutes.
STEP 6: By now, your meat is well-cooked and soft, Good! Now add the Lalo leaves, then a little potash (kanwa), and a little palm oil (which is optional) to the cooking pot. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
STEP 7: Tada! Your Miyan Lalo is ready for consumption.
Miyan Lalo is best served hot with a glass of chilled water or your favourite beverage. Interestingly, you could even take it alone.
Occasions to Serve Miyan Lalo Best
It can be taken as any of the 3 basic daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) but preferably, lunch and dinner when it’s fresh. When it is the remnant of the previous day, you could take it as breakfast in form of dumame (double fire)
How to Store Miyan Lalo
When refrigerated with a constant power supply, it can last for days. However, in the absence of a refrigerator, you could warm it morning and evenings. Doing so will make it last a few more days compared to when refrigerated. To avoid all of these and for convenience, you could just make just enough for the present need.
Furthermore, it appears to contain larger levels of the above vitamins and minerals. This is due to the fact that a cooked cup of jute leaves contains almost three times the amount of leaves.
Conclusion
If you carefully follow the above procedures carefully, you should be able to arrive at the actual Miyar Lalo recipe you intend to have. As you have seen, it isn’t difficult at all. All you need to do is make up your mind and try it. When you do, share with us your experience in the comments section.
If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment in the comments section below as well.
