- Windows 11 has a redesign of the Start menu incoming
- Microsoft has shared information at the means of that revamp and the way it took in a variety of comments
- We additionally get to peer one of the crucial deserted designs for the Start menu
Windows 11 is getting a significant revamp for the Start menu and in a fascinating transfer, Microsoft has shared the comments which drove that redesign, in addition to one of the crucial ideas that fell by means of the wayside.
In case you overpassed the emergence of that Start menu overhaul, Microsoft gave us a primary have a look at it not too long ago. Essentially, it adjustments the menu right into a unmarried scrollable panel (slightly than two separate efforts) and applies another helpful tweaks.
Broadly talking, I’m a fan and I believe it’s a transparent step ahead (extra so now {that a} level of doubt has it seems that been clarified, and I’ll come again to that momentarily).
Windows Central picked up at the weblog publish Microsoft printed in regards to the means of redesigning the Start menu, explaining why the brand new structure used to be selected, and in addition taking a look at different remedies that have been discarded in accordance with person comments.
Indeed, Microsoft says it combed thru numerous notes at the Feedback Hub (the place testers and fanatics give their evaluations on Windows 11) in addition to undertaking “thousands of remote interviews” in an effort to get the redesign of this a part of the interface proper. On best of that, we’re informed: “Over 300 Windows 11 fans joined unmoderated studies and dozens more hopped into live co-creation calls.”
Apparently, from all this, a key message many times got here thru from the ones folks: “Help me find my apps faster. Let me bend Start to fit the way I work. And please – keep the magic, don’t lose the soul.”
Yes, I’m guessing the overall a part of that quote used to be by no means one thing Microsoft heard – it sounds extra like one thing Freddie Mercury sang in a Queen music again within the eighties – however the first two issues absolutely make sense. Windows 11 customers need the Start menu to be, maximum of all, where the place they in finding and stir up their apps, and part of the interface that they are able to customise.
I believe the latter is a in particular the most important issue, and somewhere else within the publish, Microsoft talks in regards to the Start menu offering: “Recommendations made just for you that learn in real time and a way to hide them if you don’t find them helpful.”
Regarding the second one part of that sentence, I take this as affirmation that Microsoft is certainly incorporating a transfer to take away the suggestions panel from the Start menu fully, for many who don’t need it.
I don’t, and I do know I’m now not by myself in that, and this selection used to be noticed in trying out with the Start menu revamp. So, this remark about giving customers a ‘way to hide’ suggestions without a doubt refers to turning them off. For me, this represents oblique affirmation {that a} key a part of the redesign is certainly coming.
It’s additionally excellent to peer Microsoft changing into extra clear right here, and appearing off the discarded Start menu ideas, too. Are any of them any excellent? Obviously, this can be a subjective topic to an extent, however for me, a few of them indubitably deserved to be chucked within the bin, whilst others appear smart sufficient.
Let’s check out the applicants which stand proud of the efforts that ended up being dumped.
This is a extra tablet-focused take at the Start menu (the place the background is blurred out), despite the fact that that’s now not going to be ultimate for standard desktop PCs (clearly). I don’t like that it takes a step again relating to nonetheless having the ‘All apps’ checklist as a completely separate panel. It’s rather a blank structure to be truthful, however there’s some suggestion-related stuff right here that I’m now not so occupied with. Pass.
Essentially, that is the Start menu from Windows 10 ported to Windows 11, despite the fact that the design components roughly conflict for me (the class lists for apps, bottom-left, really feel in particular misplaced). Despite all of it feeling shoehorned into Windows 11, I don’t thoughts the speculation of simply having the Windows 10 Start menu again in many ways. I’m shocked Microsoft even thought to be the speculation, regardless that.
Erk, what is that this? It looks as if any person’s lobbed a hand grenade into the heart of Windows 11’s Start menu, and that is the aftermath of the almighty explosion – bits of interface everywhere. It’s too busy, suggestion-heavy, and once more like the primary idea above, it grows limbs and splits off different sections into separate panels. No thank you.
This one I rather like – it helps to keep issues easy, and it’s basically targeted at the apps, with some suggestions and reminders within the left panel. Note that Copilot has crept into the reminders, bottom-left, however general, I believe that is my favourite of the deserted designs.
However, the Start menu redesign Microsoft has selected is the winner for me, despite the fact that it’s possible you’ll neatly have a distinct opinion (Windows Central indisputably does). Why? Because it helps to keep issues easy, with the entirety on one panel, and the brand new class view for the overall checklist of apps guarantees that’s extra tamed – plus you’ll (confidently) drop the suggestions panel to make more room, too. (Worries about Phone Link were swerved as neatly, with a easy button to retract the panel, for many who use this app).
Is Microsoft’s selected revamp too dull? Well, yeah, perhaps. I assume it’s the protected, now not overly adventurous choice, nevertheless it works for me. I don’t desire a fancied-up Start menu. I desire a practical one, a streamlined gadget, and sure, that the most important talent to customise and extra trim the rest I don’t want (whilst those that like suggestions will have them).
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