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Microsoft is updating even more parts of the Windows 11 UI with modern designs: Here's what's next on the list of overhauls
Winsage
August 6, 2026

Microsoft is updating even more parts of the Windows 11 UI with modern designs: Here’s what’s next on the list of overhauls

Windows has faced user dissatisfaction due to inconsistent user interface designs since Windows 8, which worsened with Windows 10. Windows 11, launched in 2021, introduced a consistent design language through the WinUI framework, modernizing various UI components and replacing older elements. Enhancements included a more consistent dark mode and updates to features like volume controls and context menus. Microsoft is revamping the File Properties dialog and the Start menu for improved speed and responsiveness while optimizing resource consumption. Context menus are also being redesigned for better customization and quicker access. Ongoing efforts aim to modernize legacy components of the OS, with a focus on performance and reduced memory usage.
Microsoft Executive Says Windows 11 Tools Like Control Panel Are Taking Too Long To Become Modernized As Company Wants To Keep Its “Compatibility Promise”
Winsage
August 4, 2026

Microsoft Executive Says Windows 11 Tools Like Control Panel Are Taking Too Long To Become Modernized As Company Wants To Keep Its “Compatibility Promise”

Marcus Ash, Corporate Vice President of Design and Research at Microsoft, discussed the stagnation in UI updates for Windows 11 tools like Control Panel, File Explorer, and Registry Editor, emphasizing the importance of maintaining functionality and compatibility with legacy systems. He noted that changing the Control Panel is challenging due to the need to avoid disrupting existing functionalities that users rely on. Microsoft is focused on modernizing these applications while ensuring core functionalities remain intact, using user behavior, telemetry data, and feedback to guide updates. Ash mentioned that the Registry Editor is also set for modernization without compromising its essential functions. Additionally, Pavan Davuluri, President of Windows and Devices, stated that Windows 11 would be optimized for devices with 8GB of RAM.
"Control Panel gets tricky" Microsoft CVP explains why killing Windows legacy code takes so long, and how it's evolving its tools to make modernizing apps like File Explorer and Registry Editor faster
Winsage
August 3, 2026

“Control Panel gets tricky” Microsoft CVP explains why killing Windows legacy code takes so long, and how it’s evolving its tools to make modernizing apps like File Explorer and Registry Editor faster

Marcus Ash, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Design and Research for Windows and Devices, discussed the company's efforts to refine the user interface of Windows 11, focusing on modernizing the Control Panel. This initiative began with Windows 8 over 13 years ago and is still ongoing.
Microsoft wants Windows 11’s right-click menu to work the way it should, by giving users more control
Winsage
August 2, 2026

Microsoft wants Windows 11’s right-click menu to work the way it should, by giving users more control

Microsoft is redesigning the context menu in Windows 11 to address complaints about its sluggishness and clutter. The new design will feature a more compact layout that enhances loading speed and offers full customization options. Users will be able to prioritize frequently used actions, hide seldom-used entries, and rearrange items in the menu. This initiative is part of the broader Windows K2 project aimed at improving the operating system's performance and user experience. The redesigned context menu is currently functional in internal testing, but no timeline for its public rollout has been announced.
Weekend PC Game Deals: Final week of Steam and GOG Summer Sales
AppWizard
July 5, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Final week of Steam and GOG Summer Sales

Epic Games is currently offering free titles, River City Girls 2 and I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream, until July 9. The Humble Store has launched a new bundle featuring games like SuperTaxCity and Treasure Tiger, with additional games available for a payment. The Summer Games Done Quick 2026 bundle includes titles such as Grandma, No and DUSK, with a complete package offering more games. The Steam Summer Sale is ongoing, featuring new big deals, while the GOG store is in its final week of a DRM-free summer sale. Availability and pricing may vary by region.
I need you to play this unbelievably tense 2 hour horror about descending into hell with a grappling hook
AppWizard
June 17, 2026

I need you to play this unbelievably tense 2 hour horror about descending into hell with a grappling hook

Idols of Ash is a low-poly first-person horror game that offers a unique climbing experience rather than a traditional descent into terror. Players control a nameless protagonist at the edge of a mysterious pit, navigating platforms reminiscent of Dark Souls. The game features a melancholic atmosphere and transforms as players descend, revealing a haunting beauty. It is available on Steam and Itch, aiming to provide an experience that goes beyond typical horror games.
Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Montezuma 2, Majesty, Slaps And Beans 2, more
BetaBeacon
June 13, 2026

Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Montezuma 2, Majesty, Slaps And Beans 2, more

The Android app price drops include Slaps And Beans 2, Plancon: Space Conflict, Montezuma 2: Premium, Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom, Strategy & Tactics:USSR vs USA, MiniChess by Kasparov, FootLOL: Crazy Soccer Premium, Yumsters! Premium, Stickman Warriors Dragon Hero, RPG Soul Historica, Stick Warrior SuperHero Dragon, Roll Player – The Board Game, Birds On A Wire Premium, Rusty Axe, RPG Ambition Record, Defense Zone HD, [Premium] RPG Fernz Gate, RPG Silver Nornir, Defense Zone 3 Ultra HD, Ash of Gods: Redemption, RPG Asdivine Hearts, RPG Alphadia Genesis, Premium- Marenian Tavern Story, Majesty－The Northern Expansion, Dungeon Shooter : Dark Temple, Farm Frenzy Premium, The Tiny Bang Story: Premium, Tempest: Pirate RPG Premium, King of Dragon Pass: Text RPG, Dungeon Maker, Espana – Icon Pack, EmeraLine – Icon Pack, Drop Dark – Icon Pack, Dropicon Cut – Icon Pack, Pixel Ring Drop – Icon Pack, Linea – Icon Pack, Cat Quest III, Cat Quest II, Cat Quest, Undead Slayer: Offline Premium, WINCH IT OUT, Cooking Quest VIP : Food Wagon, Football Referee Simulator, Hybrid Warrior VIP, 1941 Frozen Front Premium, SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake, Swim Out, Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition, Don’t Starve: Shipwrecked, Human Fall Flat, Aporkalypse – Pigs of Doom, Guns’n’Glory WW2 Premium, Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, Wall of insanity, Slaughter: The Lost Outpost, Falltopia Plus: Epic Space RPG, Warrior In Dungeon, I.F.O: Casual Retro Shooter, Favela Kick: The Final Goal, [VIP] Missile Dude RPG : idle, SkySafari 8 Pro, Cultist Simulator, Zombie Age 3 Premium: Survival, Space Rush, Through the Darkest of Times, Exolotl : Zian, Guns’n’Glory Heroes Premium, Is This Seat Taken?, Alien Shooter, Contact Edge side bar, OsmAnd+ — Maps & GPS Offline, Words Everywhere PRO, Bookmark Manager – URL manager, The Ramen Sensei, Demon Castle Story, Chloe Puzzle Game Pro, Hot Springs Story 2, Avalar: Raid of Shadow Premium, Shadow Hunter: Offline Premium, Legends of Heropolis DX, Game Dev Story, Pro Wrestler Story, Dungeon Village 2, Dream Town Island, Pocket Academy 3, Lines Square – White Icon Pack, Material You Square Icon Pack, Bubble – Icon Pack, Fledermaus – Square Icon Pack, Gems Icon Pack, Regularly 0 Google Nest Doorbell, The House of Da Vinci 3, Tag of Driving, Endurance: dead space Premium, Final Castle Defence:Idle RPG, AVARIS3, Romopolis, Over The Bridge PRO, Dungeon Squad, Mindcop, Universe Invader 2: Premium, Hero of the Kingdom: Tales 1, Roundguard, Evertale, Pixel Blade M VIP, Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia, Under Leaves, Blueberry – icon pack, Orange Citrus Icon Pack, Lines Square – Neon icon Pack, Square Clear White Icon Pack, Square Clear – Icon Pack, Dotted Lines – Snake, Eco inc. Save the Earth.
Windows 11's right-click menu is finally getting more customizable, and it's about time
Winsage
June 5, 2026

Windows 11’s right-click menu is finally getting more customizable, and it’s about time

Microsoft is introducing customizable options for the right-click context menu in Windows 11, allowing users to add, remove, and reorder items. This change aims to streamline the interface and improve usability by addressing concerns about the menu's clutter. Marcus Ash, the Design and Research Lead for Windows and Devices at Microsoft, confirmed that the context menu will load faster and feature simplified default settings. This update is part of Microsoft's broader K2 strategy, which includes a visual overhaul of legacy features, a vertical Taskbar, and enhancements to the Start Menu. A specific timeline for these updates has not been provided, but they are expected to roll out in the coming months.
Windows 11's cluttered and controversial context menus are going away
Winsage
June 4, 2026

Windows 11’s cluttered and controversial context menus are going away

Marcus Ash, the Vice President of Design and Research for Windows & Devices, announced that Microsoft is committed to improving context menus in Windows 11 to make them "faster and simpler by default." The company is working on a more streamlined approach that allows users to customize their menus based on frequently used options. Microsoft has previously indicated a split context menu design that categorizes options by relevance, such as a dedicated "Photos" menu for image-related actions. The broader Windows K2 initiative aims to enhance the performance of context menus, although users still report inconsistencies across the operating system and its applications. There is anticipation for changes in File Explorer, including the possible removal of the AI actions section.
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