Windows 11 Start Menu Upgrade: Microsoft believes Windows 11 will make the operating system more modular. I have reported on Microsoft’s plan to make Windows 11 more reliable by decoupling features, such as the taskbar, desktop, and others, from explorer.exe. While work on decoupling File Explorer features continues, Microsoft experiments with new Start menu updates.
Microsoft has transitioned to a single annual major update for Windows 11, a decision that has been welcomed by many. This change has decreased the number of times you must install a required feature update and enhanced the overall quality of updates, as the tech behemoth can now concentrate on a single update.
Microsoft doesn’t want to limit new features to annual updates, so it’s creating dedicated updates for select features. Windows 11 comes with “Experience Packs,” including web experience packs that introduce new features to Widgets and other applications.
Microsoft has discreetly confirmed that the Start menu will receive minor enhancements in the near future, assuaging any concerns you may have had.
The tech behemoth is evaluating the “Online Service Experience Pack” with enhancements only for “— Windows.Shell.StartMenu”, the Windows 11 process that controls the Start menu.
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Windows 11 Start Menu Upgrade: Experience Pack for Windows 11 Start Menu
Microsoft has released the “Windows.Shell.StartMenu” update version 3.2.127.0 via the Canary channel with one change.
Microsoft stated that the update adds nothing new to the Start menu but “improves the delivery of cloud-based user experiences.” It is unclear what has changed with today’s preview update for the Start menu. However, there appear to be under-the-hood bug fixes, and you would not observe any differences after installing the update.
This test is crucial because it may deliver new features and bug corrections from the Dev, Canary, and Beta builds to the production environment. In the future, you can anticipate Start menu enhancements directly through these ‘Experience Pack’ updates, in addition to the annual and quarterly Moment feature updates.
It is important to note that these online experience enhancements will focus on enhancing Start menu and other Windows features. In addition to the Start menu, Online Experience Packs are utilised to improve Microsoft accounts, Windows Settings, and other areas.
According to Windows Latest, Microsoft intends to make the Start menu more customizable. For instance, you can completely disable the “recommended” feed and create only Start menu icons. Similarly, the tech behemoth is testing new animations and hover effects for Start-pinned icons.
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