Windows 11 (sort of) comes to the web with simulated experience

Windows 11 Start Hero Surface Book
Windows 11 Start Hero Surface Book (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • An online simulator lets you play around with a replica of the Windows 11 interface.
  • The simulation is limited to the desktop and a few select apps, such as the Microsoft Store.
  • You can't actually run Windows 11 through the simulator, but you can get a taste of the operating system's look and feel.

Of course, this doesn't provide a functional replication of running the new operating system. It's more of an interactive mockup. Many elements, such as the widgets panel, appear to be renders designed to look like Windows 11 but aren't clickable. Clicking on the File Explorer shows a "Coming soon" page.

Windows 11 Simulation

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

While it isn't the same as actually running Windows 11, the site's developers have done a decent job replicating the look and feel of the OS. The Start menu, Taskbar, and several aspects of the simulation appear similar to their functional counterparts, though they lack details like hover effects. It at least gives people a chance to click around an interface similar to the one seen on Windows 11.

If you'd like to safely try out a functional version of Microsoft's new OS, you can try Windows 11 alongside Windows 10 using a virtual machine. You can also check out the new version of Windows in action with our Windows 11 hands-on videos.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.