Microsoft is tinkering with the Start menu. There will be a new feature

Although three years have passed since its premiere, Windows 11 it still raises a lot of controversy among users. One of the more problematic areas is new Start menu, which in many respects turns out to be less functional than the one known from its predecessors. However, it looks like Microsoft is planning to do something about it.

Windows 11 with widgets in the Start menu. Tests are underway

Albacore, one of the X users, found Windows 11 in the test version (build 26212) new function “Start Menu Companions”. Its activation introduces an additional panel that appears next to the start menu. We will find a set there simple widgets, e.g. with weather information or stock exchange quotations.

It's time for the Start menu to become extensible!✨
Windows 11 β build 26212 quietly introduces support for “Start Menu Companions.” They're apps that provide Adaptive Cards which display on a floating island (docked ➡️ or ⬅️) alongside Start
Used Widgets data as a quick demo 😊 pic.twitter.com/FddrpC99h3

— Albacore ☁️ (@thebookisclosed) May 9, 2024

Currently, it is difficult to say how exactly the new function will be used. It seems that application developers will be able to create new “companions” that appear in the Start menu on their own. In effect, the new tool would perform a function similar to dynamic tiles known from Windows 10.

We don't know yet when the new feature will be available to a wider range of users. The biggest unknown, however, is whether the new tool will be accepted at all among users and developers. Windows 11 already has widgets, but it is not very popular – largely due to the lack of compatible applications. There is a risk that the new product prepared by Microsoft will end similarly.