Revamping Context Menus in Windows 11: Microsoft’s Latest Efforts
Windows 11 has sparked discussions surrounding its design choices, with many users expressing dissatisfaction over certain features. While the Start menu often receives the brunt of this criticism, context menus have not gone unscathed. Initially introduced with the aim of simplifying user interactions, the new context menus have instead frustrated users, rendering critical functions cumbersome and disorganized.
Fortunately, Microsoft acknowledges the challenges posed by these context menus and is actively working on enhancements. Recent discussions during the WinUI Community Call shed light on the company’s plans for improving the user experience associated with Windows’ contextual functionalities.
Introducing the SplitMenuFlyoutItem Control
To tackle the ongoing issues with oversized context menus, Microsoft has proposed the SplitMenuFlyoutItem control. This innovative feature is designed to introduce “hybrid submenus, ”seamlessly integrating primary actions—such as “Open in Photos”—with additional submenu options. Users can now quickly execute commands or explore more features by clicking an adjacent arrow, streamlining their workflow.
Enhanced Context Awareness and Menu Organization
The new design enables developers to define default and secondary actions while making menus context-aware. This means that, in various scenarios such as within File Explorer, options like “Open”and “Open with”could be consolidated into a more efficient single entry. Such a feature promises to foster an intuitive interaction model that reduces clutter and improves accessibility.
Future Outlook: Will These Changes Affect Windows 11’s Shell?
During the WinUI Community Call, Microsoft provided illustrative examples of the proposed changes, showcasing possibilities similar to the existing File Explorer setup. However, it remains uncertain whether these enhancements will directly influence the Windows 11 shell, as the WinUI initiative primarily focuses on app development for third-party developers.
The Need for Improvement
Currently, Windows 11’s context menus suffer from sluggish performance and overwhelming clutter, filled with redundant and often bizarre options such as opening images with Notepad. It is imperative that Microsoft addresses these issues to enhance user satisfaction. As anticipation builds for future updates, many users hope for significant improvements to the context menu experience.
For more details on Microsoft’s efforts to tackle the context menu crisis, check out the full coverage on Neowin.
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