Microsoft has released Windows 11, the next generation of Windows software. It has sleeker visuals and is more open for third-party apps.

Microsoft’s latest flagship operating system, Windows 10, will be the successor to Windows 10. The company announced it Thursday.

The company challenged Apple by announcing that it will not force app developers to pay Microsoft fees for accessing its app store. It also stated that Google’s most popular Android apps would run on the new system.

Windows 11 will be available on new computers and other devices later in the year. It is also available as a free update to Windows 10. Windows 11 is expected to be available later this year on new computers and other devices, as well as free updates for those who have Windows 10.

It opens up more opportunities for third-party developers and further cements Microsoft’s workplace chat tool Teams. This makes it easier to reach people when you start up.

J.P. Gownder, a Forrester analyst, said that the improvements are a reflection of CEO Satya Nadella’s promise to create products people “love” and not tolerate. However, Gownder questioned if Windows 11 really is a new generation software. He suggested that the fact that Windows 11 is built on the same code base as Windows 10 could be a positive thing because it can avoid the technical problems that plagued Windows Vista’s release in 2007.

Microsoft’s virtual announcement was also affected by technical problems Thursday. The company recommended that viewers instead watch it on Twitter.

Windows has been a reliable PC platform for many decades. The first version of Windows was released in 1985. It offered computer novices a “graphical interface” that allowed them to click on icons and menus using a mouse button, rather than just typing commands into a blank screen.

Since then, it has been an integral part of Microsoft’s business. However, its importance has waned with the decline in PC sales and the advent of smartphones.

Microsoft stated that developers would be able to bypass the payment system in its app store if their own commerce engine is used.

Apple could face problems as a result. Apple is currently under scrutiny by the government over its app store. Epic, maker of Fortnite, has launched a legal fight against Apple. Epic claims that Apple has been charging app developers commissions ranging between 15% and 30% for in-app purchases. This is because Apple prohibits other options for its iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

Patrick Moorhead, a tech analyst, said that he believes this will make Apple’s antitrust deals more difficult. Apple charging 30% for its store, and Microsoft charging 0% to 15% if you use the commerce engine. This is exactly what global antitrust units are looking into in Apple’s case.”

Moorhead stated that Microsoft could gain a greater share of the premium tablet market now controlled by the iPad through easier access to third party apps and a better user interface with Windows 11.