Exploring the New Taskbar Layout in Windows 11
In the ever-evolving interface of Windows 11, Microsoft has begun experimenting with a refreshed positioning for the weather button on the Taskbar, much to the interest of its user base. The latest iteration in the Windows Insider Beta channel reveals a strategic move, relocating the weather button to snuggle up next to the system tray for those who prefer their Start button on the left.
Adopting a cue from the Windows 10 Taskbar, where users have become accustomed to finding “News and Interests” in a similar location, this change is seen as a nod to familiarity and convenience. The original Windows 11 design saw a significant shift, with the Start button centered, flanked by pinned and active applications, which left the weather button without a place by the system tray. Microsoft’s solution at the time was to move it to the extreme left.
However, flexibility in the operating system allows users to realign the Start button to the left as per their preference. This action previously resulted in a contracted weather button being squeezed into the pinned apps area, which wasn’t ideal for displaying extensive weather information.
The current preview build addresses this by reinstating the full-sized weather button in its rightful place when the Start button is aligned to the left. This new placement mirrors the established layout seen in Windows 10, providing a sense of consistency for users who switch between the two operating systems.
With this change, the widgets button will also adapt, emerging from the right side of the screen rather than the left, which logically complements the revised button position. Despite this, some may argue that the current design of the weather button in this newfound location seems out of place, with an apparent gap between it and the system tray icons, potentially leading to inefficient space utilization, particularly on smaller screens.
As this is still a beta release, expectations are that Microsoft will refine the button’s integration, ensuring a seamless fit within the Taskbar when the Start button is left-aligned. For now, this update is gradually being introduced to participants in the Insider Program and is projected to arrive on production PCs in the upcoming months, signaling Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the user experience.
