Windows 11 may get a slightly detached “Floating Widgets” panel, perhaps reintroducing Live Tiles in a different avatar. The experimental feature is present in the latest test versions of Windows 11 that Microsoft has released publicly.
Microsoft testing Floating Widgets alongside Start Menu
Microsoft first introduced Live Tiles in Windows 8. The concept matured significantly in Windows 10, but Microsoft practically dropped Live Tiles in Windows 11. Windows 11 has a dock that’s eerily similar to macOS. However, Microsoft could soon offer Floating Widgets which would appear alongside the Start Menu.
It's time for the Start menu to become extensible!✨
Windows 11 β build 26212 quietly introduces support for "Start Menu Companions." They're apps that provide Adaptive Cards which display on a floating island (docked ➡️ or ⬅️) alongside Start
Used Widgets data as a quick demo 😊 pic.twitter.com/FddrpC99h3— Albacore ☁️ (@thebookisclosed) May 9, 2024
According to Windows watcher Albacore, who first discovered the feature, Microsoft has not yet announced the feature. However, the company could name it “Start Menu Companions”.
It seems Microsoft is unlocking a new way for developers to extend the Windows 11 Start menu. The company is trying a widget-like functionality that resides on a floating island. The Floating Widgets island could be docked next to the Start Menu.
What are Floating Widgets and how to use them?
Microsoft appears to be trying to extend the functionality of the Start Menu. The Floating Widgets appear to be a drop-in replacement for Live Tiles.
Developers would be able to treat these Floating Widgets as adaptive cards. In other words, these widgets could reportedly be a platform-agnostic way of displaying condensed blocks of information.
Microsoft testing customisable floating widgets in Windows 11 Start menu https://t.co/jzpHFuck6V#cloud#technewspic.twitter.com/fQQzGzl9tK
— Express Computer (@ExpComputer) May 10, 2024
According to the X user who discovered the feature, Floating Widgets are accessible and configurable through the Start menu Companions setting. Users will have to head over to Settings > Personalization > Start.
It is not immediately clear how Microsoft would want to treat Floating Widgets. However, it seems the company wants to position them as web-centric boxes containing information, similar to Live Tiles.
If Microsoft decides to keep the Floating Widgets island, it would mean the company has finally retired Live Tiles. However, it seems Microsoft intends to explore the void left behind by Live Tiles, which were colorful, animated, flipping icons that offered snippets of information from apps.