Abstract:
Diego Baca, vice president of Windows design at Microsoft, recently responded to a user’s question about the Start menu on social platforms. This user believes that since the new version of Windows Search can complete many operations, the Start menu is outdated. Baca said that designing an operating system for more than one billion users is a major challenge because everyone has different preferences and workflows; Microsoft's goal is to improve performance and quality while providing more customization options to allow users to use Windows in a way that suits them.
This response is not a signal that Microsoft is ready to remove the Start menu. Microsoft showed off a new version of Windows Search this week. It is said that users can adjust the microphone volume, switch dark mode, turn on Do Not Disturb mode directly in the search results, and can also perform operations such as taking screenshots and arranging windows. This feature is expected to be launched for Windows 11 computers later this year. Adding shortcut operations to the search function does not mean that all users will give up the familiar start menu. Microsoft's design idea is to provide different entrances, rather than requiring users to adopt the same way of working.
The controversy is also reflected in the Start menu itself. Microsoft previously added "recommended" content to it, hoping to display recent files, applications or frequently used functions based on usage scenarios; however, some users disliked the recommended area, thinking it took up space or lacked value. Microsoft's design team has explained in the past that recommended content is designed to help users find meeting recordings, applications, and work windows more quickly, while allowing users to hide this area or adjust the proportion of fixed applications and recommended content. Even so, the choices made by the design team based on research and feedback may not be in line with the habits of all users.
Microsoft is currently planning to continue adjusting the Windows 11 interface, including modernizing some old interfaces, improving performance and quality, and adding personalization options. Baca’s statement emphasized that in the face of a large user base with diverse needs, the design goal is not to let everyone use the same set of processes, but to retain different options and gradually improve the experience; these directions still do not mean that all changes have been determined or have been launched.
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