Four years post-launch, Windows 11 is poised to introduce a significant update to its Context Menu, particularly for WinUI 3-based applications. This anticipated enhancement, dubbed the “Split Context Menu,” aims to address user grievances regarding menu clutter and improve overall usability.
Microsoft has yet to specify whether this update will extend beyond WinUI apps to the entire Windows shell. If it does, users can expect a more streamlined experience across all applications. If not, the new menu will only be visible in select apps. The confirmation of this upgrade came during a WinUI Community call, as reported by Windows Latest.
The context menu, which appears when users right-click on files or folders, serves to provide quick access to relevant actions. However, many users have found the current iteration to be overly crowded with options, leading to a frustrating experience. Microsoft acknowledges that the existing right-click menu often presents a lengthy list of actions, including repetitive and irrelevant options that detract from its intended purpose.
For instance, when right-clicking an image, users may encounter multiple entries for the Photos app, alongside other actions that could be consolidated. This issue extends to WinUI-based applications, where menus have become increasingly unwieldy.
To remedy this, Microsoft plans to implement context-aware nested menus that adapt based on the file type. This change is expected to condense the context menu length while allowing developers to incorporate useful secondary actions. Initially, this update will roll out in WinUI-based applications, though Microsoft has not confirmed whether it will eventually apply to all menus in Windows 11.
What is the Split Context Menu?
The Split Context Menu aims to enhance the right-click experience by introducing a new API called SplitMenuFlyoutItem. This innovation allows a single menu entry to feature both a primary action and secondary options, displayed in a smaller flyout adjacent to the main item.
Instead of encountering multiple repetitive entries like Open with Photos, Edit with Photos, and Set as desktop background, users will now see a single “Open with Photos” option. Hovering over this entry will reveal related actions, such as Paint or Snipping Tool, neatly tucked into the secondary menu.
Images shared during the WinUI Community Call suggest that this new design effectively addresses two persistent issues: it prevents the stacking of similar items in a vertical list and ensures that only relevant options are displayed based on the selected file.
Developers will also have the flexibility to designate default actions and organize less frequently used tools under a small arrow next to the primary option.
How the new secondary (Split Context) menu works
The Split Context Menu leverages the SplitMenuFlyoutItem control, part of the latest Windows App SDK. This control transforms how context menus are rendered in WinUI-based applications, allowing a single item to function as both a primary action and a container for secondary menu options.
- When a user right-clicks on an image, the context menu appears with a “Photos” option as the primary action.
- A nested menu will provide access to all Photos-related commands or apps (such as Paint and Snipping Tool) by hovering over the Photos option in the primary context menu.
This new control supports context-aware grouping, enabling Windows apps to dynamically determine which secondary actions to display based on the file type. For example, right-clicking a .txt file will show Open with Notepad as the default, with other editors hidden in the secondary menu accessible via hovering.
New context menu could reduce clutter by 38% in some cases
Microsoft’s Split Context Menu promises to significantly reduce the clutter that has long plagued the right-click menu, offering a cleaner and more efficient layout. Developers have indicated that this redesign could decrease overall menu length by as much as 38%, though this varies by file type.
For instance, the menu may shrink by 35% when consolidating related options like Open with Photos, Set as desktop background, and Edit with Photos under a single split menu. Text-based files may experience a 30% reduction in menu height, which is a welcome improvement. The “Open in Notepad” option will be prioritized, with supported applications appearing in the submenu.
Folder right-click menus could see the most significant height reduction, as current layouts often repeat similar actions like Pin to Quick Access, Pin to Start, and Pin to Task Bar, which can all be combined into one default option.
But can we expect this new menu to be available everywhere in Windows, such as File Explorer?
While Microsoft’s examples prominently feature “File Explorer,” the Split Context Menu is currently designed for WinUI-based applications. This means it will initially be implemented in applications like Microsoft Photos, with potential future expansion to other areas of Windows 11.
The Split Context Menu remains in the early development stage and is not yet available for public testing. Microsoft has shared details about the underlying API on its official WinUI GitHub repository, allowing developers to experiment with the control through the latest Windows App SDK preview builds. As of now, there is no timeline for when the Split Context Menu will be rolled out across the Windows shell.
In addition to this update, Microsoft is also working on the long-awaited acrylic blur feature, which is expected to enhance the visual experience across Windows 11 applications. These developments signal a positive shift towards prioritizing user experience, moving away from a solely business-to-business focus.
