The Windows 11 installation process becomes more fun with a new mini-game

If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11, you may be pleasantly surprised. Microsoft has added a new feature to the installation process that allows you to play a mini-game while you wait for the installation to complete.

The minigame is called Windows Adventure and is a simple platform game where you control a character that looks like the Windows logo. You can jump, run and collect coins and power-ups as you explore different levels inspired by the features and history of Windows. For example, in one level you'll have to dodge Clippy, Office 97's infamous clip assistant, while in another level you'll have to navigate the Start menu.

The minigame is optional and you can choose to skip it if you prefer to watch the progress bar or do something else. However, if you decide to play it, you will be rewarded with some fun facts and trivia about Windows 11 and its development. You will also get a score based on the number of coins and power-ups you collected, and you can share it with your friends on social networks.

Microsoft says the minigame is designed to make the installation process more fun and engaging for users, especially those who have slow Internet connections or older hardware. The mini-game also shows off some of the new features and improvements of Windows 11, such as rounded corners, new icons, and the redesigned taskbar.

Currently, the minigame is available only for users who install Windows 11 from scratch or perform a clean install. Users upgrading from Windows 10 or earlier will not see the minigame option. Microsoft says it is working to bring the minigame to more users in the future.

Windows 11 is expected to launch on October 5, 2021 as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices. The new operating system promises to deliver a new, modern user experience, with improved security, performance and productivity features. If you're curious about Windows 11 and want to try it out before the official release, you can join the Windows Insider program and download the latest preview build.

If you're setting up a new Windows laptop or installing a fresh copy of Windows on a machine, you may be familiar with the tedious process of waiting for the installation to complete. You need to click a few buttons, see a loading screen, and then repeat until setup is complete. This can take a while, even with fast SSDs, and can be quite boring. However, Microsoft has a solution to make the setup process more fun and engaging: a navigation game that you can play in your browser.

The game is called Edge://surf and it is the Microsoft Edge version of the offline dinosaur game offered by Chrome. According to The Verge, this game is inspired by SkiFree, a classic game that was included in Windows 3.0 back in 1991. The game is simple but addictive: you control a surfer who has to avoid obstacles and collect power-ups while riding the waves. The game has different modes such as endless, time trial, and zig-zag, and also supports multiplayer with up to eight players.

The game is available in the setup process for the latest Microsoft devices, such as the Surface Laptop Studio 2 and Surface Laptop Go 3. It's unclear if the game will also appear for other Windows devices during Windows 11 installations, but you can always access it. to it by typing edge://surf in Edge's address bar. You can even play it on your phone if you have Edge installed.

The game is a nice touch by Microsoft to make the setup process more fun and less frustrating. It also shows how Microsoft is trying to improve its browser and compete with Chrome. Edge://surf is a fun and nostalgic game that you can play anytime, anywhere, even offline.