Back in theWindows 10days, there was a period of time in which Windows development felt rudderless. Microsoft’s cadence of bi-annual feature updates had slowed to a crawl, new additions likeTimelineandMy Peoplefelt haphazardly implemented at best, and there was no sign of a clear and overarching vision for the platform.
This all changed withthe release of Windows 11in 2021. With then-Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Microsoft Panos Panay at the helm, a major Windows rejuvenation attempt took hold at the company. Described by executives as “the next generation of Windows” and a “reinvestment” in the operating system, new features and improvements began hitting the OS at a steady pace, as did a comprehensive Fluent Design visual overhaul of many user-facing shell elements.
I’ve been playing around with some of Windows' upcoming additions via the Windows Insider Program, while relying on a utility known asViVeTool.
DespitePanay departing from Microsoftback in fall 2023, Windows 11 has maintained a relatively aggressive and accelerated development state. Aside from the flashyAI-based Copilot+ featuresthat require a PC with a neural processing unit (NPU), the base Windows 11 experience continues to see improvements made at a fundamental level, too.
I’ve been playing around with some of Windows' upcoming additions via the Windows Insider Program, while relying on a utility known asViVeToolto help enable hidden and experimental features that are still actively in development. Here are five upcoming Windows 11 features that I’m personally the most excited about, and that I can’t wait to see hit platform stability in the coming months.
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These popular Windows programs first hit the PC scene in the 1990s and early 2000s, and they’re still very much around today.
1A redesigned Start Menu
A far more customizable Start experience is on the way
Since its debut in 2021, I’ve never been the biggest fan of Windows 11’s Start Menu. Aside from not making the best use of space, I find it to be too rigid and too simplistic. Thankfully, Microsoft has heard our collective complaints,and has announcedthat an all-new Start Menu design is on its way. So far,I’m enjoying this refreshed design– I like that my entire library of apps is available on a single screen, and I like that I can toggle off the recommended section if I so please. The quickPhone Linkaccess button is a nice touch, and theApple App Library-esque organizationoption is also welcome in my eyes.
5 apps I use to make Windows Search more like macOS Spotlight
Compared to Spotlight on macOS, Windows Search leaves something to be desired – here are 5 apps that can supercharge Windows 11’s search prowess.
2The return of seconds in notification center
A Windows 10 staple is about to re-debut on WIndows 11
One of my favorite Windows 10 features has always been the large digital clock plastered on the calendar taskbar flyout, which makes it easy to reference the current time down to the second. Unfortunately, this second-by-second clock didn’t survive the big Windows 11 shell rewrite, and I’ve been clamoring for its return since 2021. WithWindows 10 set to reach end of lifelater this year, Microsoft appears to be throwing a bone to longtime fans of the OS who have resisted upgrading their PCs until now. For me, displaying seconds within the control center and calendar interface is one of those small additions that I didn’t fully appreciate until it was gone.
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Windows 11 is a powerful and feature-rich operating system, but it’s being held back from greatness in several key ways.
3A brand-new Drag Tray
Soon, sharing files and media will be a far easier affair
Windows 11 has its own native sharing API, which allows for system-wide file and data share integration across surfaces like the Share Sheet and the right-click context menu. Unfortunately, the majority of third-party developers haven’t tapped into this feature, and most desktop PC users simply drag-and-drop files and media from one app window to another. Microsoft’s upcoming drag tray feature looks to streamline the sharing process, by introducing a new context-aware bar at the top of the display when dragging a file on screen. When interacted with, the drag tray expands, allowing you to quickly drop your file into a compatible app, send the file to your phone, or invoke the full share sheet page. In my testing, the feature is surprisingly intuitive, and I find myself utilizing it both with my mouse cursor and with my finger.
4 ways Windows Phone Link makes my life way easier
One of my favorite Windows 11 applications is Phone Link - here’s how the Microsoft-made tool streamlines my day-to-day workflow.
4Proper lock screen widgets
Microsoft is gearing up to bring glanceable applets to your locked PC
Ever sinceWindows 8in 2012, Microsoft has offered third-party app developers an API for tapping into lock screen content. This allows apps to display weather conditions, new emails, calendar updates, and other information in a glanceable ticker view near the system clock and date. Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen arenaissance of lock screen widgetsacross platforms like iOS, iPadOS, and Android, and Microsoft appears to want in on the action. In an upcoming update, full-sized desktop widgets will be pinnable on the lock screen, with options to arrange, reorder, scroll, and adjust widgets from within the Settings app.
This third-party tool brings Aero Peek back to Windows 11
Aero Peek is a useful tool that lets you glance at your desktop with a hover - Microsoft removed the feature in Windows 11, but you can bring it back.
5Clearer battery life indicators
Microsoft has redesigned the system tray’s battery icon
In an effort to improve the legibility of your PC’s battery status,Microsoft has redesigned the battery iconographywithin the Windows 11 taskbar. This new design, which is currently in preview, extends the size of the battery icon, introduces yellow and red colors for power-saving and low power, respectively, and centers the lightning bolt symbol. These are all nice quality-of-life changes that improve accessibility, but my personal favorite new addition is the ability to display the current battery percentage on the taskbar. I always toggle this setting on when setting up a new phone, tablet, or Mac, and I’m happy to see it finally make its way to PC.
Microsoft is making it even harder to use Windows 11 without an internet connection
In a perpetual cat and mouse game, Microsoft is plugging yet another known loophole for using Windows 11 without an internet connection.
