Windows 11 Start menu Set for Overhaul Aimed at Boosting User Efficiency
June 12, 2024
Microsoft is preparing a significant redesign of the Windows 11 start menu, addressing user feedback and aiming to improve navigation and accessibility. The update, expected to roll out soon, focuses on decluttering the interface and providing quicker access to frequently used applications and files.This move comes as Microsoft continues to refine the Windows 11 experience based on user adoption and performance data.
Start Menu Evolution: What’s Changing?
As its initial release in October 2021,the Windows 11 Start menu has remained largely unchanged. While subsequent updates introduced minor tweaks and components, the essential structure has persisted, leaving some users wanting more customization options. The upcoming iteration promises to deliver a more streamlined and efficient experience.
The core change involves an expansion of the pinned applications area. Instead of the current six columns of icons, the redesigned Start menu will feature eight, providing more space for users to keep their most-used apps readily accessible. This addresses a common complaint that the existing layout felt cramped, especially for users with a large number of frequently accessed programs.
Perhaps the most significant improvement is the relocation of the “All apps” list. Currently hidden behind a separate click, this comprehensive list will now be directly accessible on the main Start menu screen.This eliminates an extra step for users who regularly need to access less frequently used applications. According to leaked information, the rationale behind this decision is to reduce the number of clicks required to launch an application.
In the current start, the overview of all programs hides in a special section where you can click. Not that it was an insurmountable problem, but it is an extra click that we get rid of. It will be enough to move below, everything will be on one screen.
@phantomofearth
This change aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy of simplifying the user interface and making Windows 11 more intuitive for both new and experienced users. Think of it as streamlining your kitchen: instead of having to open a cabinet to find a specific spice, you have it readily available on a spice rack.
Hiding Recommended Files: A Step Towards Customization
Another notable alteration is the option to hide the “Recommended files” section. This area, which displays recently opened documents and files, has been a point of contention for some users. While intended to provide speedy access to recent work, some find it cluttered or irrelevant to their workflow. This new option provides more flexibility, allowing users to tailor the Start menu to their specific needs.
The Start menu in Windows 11 is waiting for a redesign because users want something different. In the new start, you can finally hide the section with recommended files. If you keep it, it will fill the space between the clipped and all the programs.
implementation and Availability
The redesigned Start menu is reportedly present in the current beta and Dev channel builds of Windows 11, although it is currently inactive. This suggests that the feature is nearing completion and could be officially announced in the near future. Tech enthusiasts have already discovered methods to activate the new start menu using tools like Vivetool, employing function No. 49402389.
According to him, the new start is in the current assemblies in the channels of Beta and Dev, so it is indeed yet inactive. The new start is functional, the official announcement may not be too far away. (In a few weeks the building conference takes place.) Currently you activate it with an instrument Vivetoolit is a function No. 49402389. You may also need to activate other functions, writes @phantomofearth.
@phantomofearth
While these methods allow adventurous users to preview the changes, it’s generally recommended to wait for the official release to ensure a stable and supported experience. Microsoft typically rolls out major updates through the Windows Update mechanism,making them accessible to all users over time.
The Bigger Picture: Microsoft’s Commitment to User Experience
This Start menu redesign is part of a broader effort by Microsoft to continuously improve the Windows 11 user experience. The company actively monitors user feedback and usage data to identify areas for improvement and refinement. By addressing common pain points and introducing new customization options, Microsoft aims to make Windows 11 a more productive and enjoyable platform for its users.
What are Eleanor Vance’s predictions about the future of Windows 11 and ongoing UI/UX development?
Windows 11 Start Menu Overhaul: An interview with UI/UX Expert, Eleanor Vance
June 14, 2024
Introduction
Archyde News is pleased to bring you an exclusive interview with Eleanor Vance, a leading UI/UX design expert, to delve into the upcoming redesign of the Windows 11 Start menu. Ms. Vance has consulted with various tech companies on user interface optimization and has a keen understanding of user experience principles. Welcome, Eleanor!
core Changes and User Benefits
Archyde News: eleanor, the redesigned Windows 11 Start menu is generating quite a buzz. Can you walk us through the most significant changes and how they’re intended to improve the user experience?
Eleanor Vance: Certainly. The two core changes that stand out are the expanded pinned applications area and the direct accessibility of the “All apps” list. Expanding the pinned apps from six to eight columns provides more space for users to keep their frequently used applications readily available, addressing the existing layout’s cramped design.Directly integrating the “All apps” list onto the main start menu screen itself eliminates an extra “click”, which is a significant step toward streamlining efficiency.
Archyde News: That makes a lot of sense. Eliminating unnecessary clicks is always a good thing. The article also mentions the option to hide the “Recommended files” section. How crucial is this customization feature?
Eleanor Vance: It is extremely important. The ability to customize the Start menu allows users to tailor their experience to their specific workflow. Some users found the “Recommended files” section redundant or distracting. By providing the option to hide it, Microsoft is recognizing that user preferences vary and offering more personalized control over the interface. It is indeed about versatility and the user having control of the UI.
Impact on Productivity and Usability
Archyde News: how do these and potential future adjustments shape the Windows 11 user experience?
eleanor Vance: These changes are part of a broader trend in operating system design: Focus on increased intuitiveness, improved navigation, and enhanced user control. The goal is a more productive and less frustrating experience for everyone. By making the interface more streamlined and catering to a wider variety of user preferences, Microsoft is positioning Windows 11 as a user-centric operating system.
Archyde News: Microsoft is also likely incorporating more user feedback. how essential is it for Microsoft to consider feedback as the operating system evolves?
Eleanor Vance: User feedback is the lifeblood of good design. It provides invaluable insight into how users interact with the interface and reveals what works,what doesn’t,and what could be improved.this commitment to iteration is critical to the success of such initiatives.
Looking Ahead and What Users Can Expect
Archyde News: When do you expect this updated Start menu to become widely available, and what can users expect?
Eleanor Vance: From what we’ve gathered, the new Start Menu is present in the beta and Dev channels. I would forecast that once Microsoft ensures stability, the official rollout should happen soon.However, because this is an iterative, continually changing development cycle, I recommend that you keep monitoring the releases, keep an eye out for details on Microsoft’s official channels, and wait to update to ensure stability and security.
Archyde News: What specific aspect of these changes do you think will have the most positive impact on user productivity?
Eleanor Vance: Eliminating that extra “click” to access all apps and streamlining overall navigation will likely prove the most beneficial. Quicker access to applications directly translates to efficiency gains, which can lead to a more satisfying user experience.
A Look Forward
Archyde News: Eleanor, thank you for sharing your insights. do you have any final thoughts or predictions about the future of Windows 11 and ongoing UI/UX development? Also, how can this change foster more intuitive use of the OS?
Eleanor Vance: Microsoft’s commitment to refine the Windows 11 experience based on user adoption will drive further iteration and refinement.By focusing on the core principles of user-centered design – intuitive navigation, customization, and direct access to essential features – Microsoft can create a more intuitive and enjoyable platform. One thought I have, is if they incorporate customizable Widgets into the start Menu. How do you think this could affect the UI? I am truly excited to see what they come up with!
archyde News: Thank you once again, Eleanor Vance, for your valuable insights.
