Microsoft is working on making the Windows 11 taskbar more tablet-friendly in the near future. The software behemoth has begun testing a new taskbar intended specifically for tablet use, with a smaller collapsed state that only displays vital information such as the time and date, as well as network and battery status.
Because app icons, search, Widgets, and the Start button are concealed, the tablet taskbar appears to be much less cluttered. When using a device as a tablet, a new setting will automatically conceal the taskbar, giving Windows 11 tablet users additional screen area. The widgets, Start button, search, and app icons are all much larger and easier to touch when you swipe up to show the complete taskbar.
Along with the taskbar changes, Microsoft will shortly make changes to the way widgets work in Windows 11. More information and dynamic content in widgets are included in today’s new Dev Channel test build.
The Windows Insider team notes, “This should make it easier for you to discover and engage with new widgets and news content through your feed.” “This release focuses on making widgets discoverable from the feed and over time we plan to make the feed even more personalized.”
On addition, Microsoft is testing 37 new emoji in Windows 11, including the troll, beans, and melting face emoji, which will be available in Emoji 14.0 for Android, iOS, and other platforms.
Improvements to snapping the most relevant windows adjacent to each other will be included in this next Windows 11 test build, with suggested Microsoft Edge tabs displaying in snap assist. When you try to snap a window, you’ll now see the three most recent Edge tabs, which can be turned off in the Windows 11 settings section.
These new capabilities in Windows 11 will be evaluated and refined as usual, and they may not appear in the operating system for months. Panos Panay, Microsoft’s Windows and Devices director, recently disclosed that instead of waiting for a huge annual release, the company will introduce more features to Windows 11 in the following months.
“Over time, you’ll see us release new features into Windows 11 for end users more frequently in addition to our annual update,” Panay said. “We will leverage the variety of update mechanisms we have in place, including servicing and Microsoft Store updates. Our goal is to deliver continuous innovation, providing you with the best experiences year-round .”