Companions Feature in Windows 11 Start Menu
Windows 11’s Start menu recently introduced a new feature called “Companions”, which adds a floating panel to the right side of the Start menu. This panel allows users to quickly glance at Phone details, utilizing a feature called “Adaptive cards” that use JSON to display information instead of HTML and CSS.
Developers find Adaptive cards appealing as they seamlessly blend in with the host UI, making them ideal for displaying information. Microsoft researcher Albacore had discovered references to the Companion feature in the Start menu before its official release and even shared a mockup on GitHub demonstrating how to build a Start menu companion using adaptive cards.
Windows Latest successfully tested the Start menu companion mockup, which displayed weather and market information on the left side panel. Clicking on the panel redirected users to the MSN weather page. Developers have the option to create Companions for their apps and position them on either side of the Start menu, with a limit of two Companions per side.
In addition to the Phone Link app, Microsoft may introduce companions for native or frequently-used apps like Teams, WhatsApp, and Outlook, allowing users to quickly access messages or emails. The Companion panel is customizable, enabling users to select which elements are displayed and hide unnecessary ones, such as recent calls or messages in the Phone Link’s panel.
As more companies and developers embrace the Companions feature, users can expect a fully customizable experience in the Start menu. However, this is not the only change on the horizon for the Start menu.
Layout Experiments in the Start Menu
Microsoft is currently experimenting with the layout of the “All apps” section in the Start menu. In addition to the existing grid layout option, a grouped layout is in development, which will categorize icons for easier navigation through installed apps. These layout options aim to enhance the user experience in finding and accessing apps within the Start menu.
It is anticipated that Microsoft will allow users to set a default layout option, eliminating the need to manually adjust it each time.
