Microsoft Acknowledges Cluttered Right-Click Menu in Windows 11, Promises Improvement with New UI Feature

After four years since its inception, Windows 11 is poised to unveil a significant enhancement to the Context Menu, aimed at addressing user frustrations. Microsoft has introduced this upgrade as the Split Context Menu within File Explorer, promising a more user-friendly interface.

One of the primary issues users have highlighted is the longstanding clutter in the current right-click context menu, which features a lengthy list of stacked actions. This disorganization can lead to confusion, especially when users encounter redundant or irrelevant options each time they right-click on a file.

For instance, when right-clicking on an image, the menu may redundantly list multiple entries for the Photos app: “Open with Photos, ””Edit with Photos, ”and “Set as desktop background.”Such overlaps detract from the user experience and signal a need for a streamlined approach.

To combat this, Microsoft’s newly devised solution incorporates context-aware nested menus, tailored to the specific file types, ultimately. This not only minimizes the length of the context menu but also enables developers to include relevant secondary actions without overwhelming the user.

Understanding the Split Context Menu

The Split Context Menu is an innovative addition to File Explorer designed to enhance the right-click interaction. It employs a novel API termed SplitMenuFlyoutItem, allowing for a single menu entry to display both a primary action and associated secondary options in a distinctive, streamlined flyout.

This means users will no longer face the confusion of seeing multiple instances of “Open with Photos.”Instead, they will encounter a straightforward “Open with Photos”option, accompanied by related tools like Paint or Snipping Tool in a convenient side panel.

Images from the recent WinUI Community Call illustrate how this redesign effectively addresses two major user grievances. Firstly, it alleviates the problem of stacking similar items vertically, and secondly, it enhances adaptability by displaying only the options relevant to the selected file type.

Moreover, developers can designate which actions appear as defaults, with less frequently used tools nested under a small arrow icon for easy access.

Functionality of the New Split Context Menu

The Split Context Menu leverages a WinUI3 control known as SplitMenuFlyoutItem, which is part of the latest Windows App SDK. This control revolutionizes the way context menus are presented within the Windows shell, particularly in File Explorer, allowing a single item to act as both a primary action and a container for secondary options.

When implemented, a SplitMenuFlyoutItem functions like a combination of a button and a submenu. The left side executes the primary action (for example, “Open with Photos”), while clicking the right side, marked by a chevron, reveals a secondary flyout containing related applications (such as Paint or Snipping Tool).

This control’s design enables context-aware grouping, meaning that File Explorer can intelligently determine which secondary actions are pertinent based on the file type. For instance, right-clicking a.txt file would display “Open with Notepad”as the primary option, with additional editors accessible via a submenu.

It’s noteworthy that this new feature is not expected to burden system resources significantly, as developers can curate contextual actions. Windows will automatically promote the most frequently utilized applications based on the file type, allowing for a more personalized user experience.

Tentative Rollout Timeline for the Split Context Menu

Currently, the Split Context Menu is still in its early developmental phase and has yet to be included in any Insider builds, meaning regular users cannot test it yet.

However, Microsoft has made the underlying API publicly available in the official WinUI GitHub repository. This allows developers to start experimenting with the feature using the latest preview builds of the Windows App SDK.

The overarching aim is to empower app developers to upgrade their respective context menus ahead of a broader system-wide deployment.

At this time, there’s no definitive timeline for when the Split Context Menu will be accessible to general users. Additionally, Microsoft is concurrently developing the anticipated acrylic blur feature, intended to infuse a refreshing aesthetic throughout the Windows 11 interface. Both updates signify a positive shift in Microsoft’s focus towards enhancing the user experience, moving away from its traditional B2B orientation.

Source & Images