Microsoft is reimagining Microsoft Windows 11 Start menu with Adaptive Cards

Microsoft Windows 11’s Start menu lately bought probably the most stunning characteristic referred to as “Companions”. The characteristic added a floating panel to the fitting facet of the Start menu, permitting you to shortly look at Phone particulars. But that is only the start.

The Phone Link companion panel makes use of a characteristic referred to as “Adaptive cards”. You may need noticed them whereas using a Microsoft app. Adaptive playing cards use JSON as a substitute of HTML and CSS to show info.

Developers desire Adaptive playing cards as a result of they share the host UI and mix in simply, making them match for displaying info.

Microsoft researcher Albacore discovered references to the Companion characteristic within the Start menu earlier than it rolled out. He additionally shared a easy mockup of how one can construct a Start menu companion for an app using adaptive playing cards on GitHub.

Microsoft Windows Latest tried working the Start menu companion mockup and was profitable in our assessments. The panel seems on the left facet and shows climate and market info. Clicking on it redirects to the MSN climate web page.

Developers can create Companions for his or her apps and place them to 1 facet of the Start menu. Note that solely two Companions can seem on both facet of the Start menu.

Like the Phone Link app, Microsoft might additionally provide companions for native apps or frequently-used apps like Teams, WhatsApp, Outlook, and so on. So, you might shortly look at messages or emails out of your crew.

The Companion can be customizable. You can choose which parts are displayed on the panel and select to cover those you don’t want. For instance, you’ll be able to choose if current calls or messages seem within the Phone Link’s panel or not.

It’s probably more firms and builders will start bringing their very own Companions to the Start menu, and also you’ll be capable of totally customise the expertise.

However, this isn’t the one change arriving within the Start menu.

Layout experiments within the Start menu

Microsoft is experimenting with the structure of the All apps part within the Start menu. Previously, a grid structure choice appeared within the Start menu which makes it simpler to navigate by the lengthy record of put in apps.

Now, a grouped choice can be within the works which is able to show icons in classes. Both these layouts will enhance the way in which you discover and navigate the apps within the Start menu.

We count on Microsoft to permit customers to set a default structure choice, so that you don’t want to alter it each time.