In a recent exploration of potential design avenues for Windows 11, Microsoft’s design team unveiled several intriguing concepts for the Start menu that never made it to the final product. These ideas, shared in a blog post as part of the “Beyond the Surface” series, reflect a desire to enhance user experience by integrating notifications and functionalities from various Windows features.
Among the guiding principles for these concepts were four key tenets: ensuring the entire app library is easily accessible, allowing for personal customization, maximizing the utility of each pixel, and maintaining a sense of familiarity with iconography. The design team engaged with 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts, utilizing eye-tracking heat maps and user feedback to refine their ideas.
Windows 11 Start: What could have been
One of the standout concepts features a slide-out phone dashboard, appealing to users who frequently utilize the Phone Link feature. This design emphasizes the integration of apps within the Windows ecosystem, showcasing a radical reimagining of the current layout. In this concept, the “recommended” apps and documents are entirely restructured, prioritizing creativity and productivity.
Another concept takes a more traditional approach, reminiscent of earlier Windows versions such as XP and 7. It presents an expandable list of apps alongside shortcuts, harkening back to a simpler time while still incorporating modern elements. This blend of nostalgia and functionality could resonate well with long-time Windows users.
Some designs maintain a familiar aesthetic but expand the Start menu to occupy a significant portion of the screen. While this may not align with Microsoft’s vision for a streamlined interface, it underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing information density with user experience.
One particularly noteworthy design leans towards a more informative Start menu, focusing on app visibility rather than document access. This concept aims to deliver timely information, such as meeting reminders, directly within the Start interface, enhancing its practicality.
Despite the creative energy behind these prototypes, none have been implemented in the current version of Windows 11. Some designs may have been deemed cluttered or confusing, yet they offer a glimpse into the potential for a more personalized and functional Start menu—something that many users feel is lacking in the current iteration. For now, third-party developers like Stardock Software are stepping in to fill this gap with solutions like Start11, offering users the customization options they crave.
