Windows 11 Start Menu Recommendations Improved, but Concerns Remain | Image Source: www.techradar.com
REDMOND, Wash., June 16, 2024 – Microsoft refines the features of its Start on Windows 11 menu, focusing on improving the “Recommended” panel. According to TechRadar, Windows 11 testers on the Beta channel know better filtering for website suggestions, making them more relevant to individual users. Despite the improvements, Microsoft has specified that it has no plan to remove this functionality from the operating system, a position that may not sit well with all users.
Those who know Windows 11 will recognize the recommended panel as a space in the Start menu that covers recently used applications, files or websites. In the past, these recommendations were sometimes criticized as unnecessary or even considered undisguised. With the release of the preview build 22635.4655, Microsoft is trying to address this concern by improving the quality of the recommendations. The technology giant claims that the new changes are based on direct feedback from testers and aim to provide a more personalized experience.
In his blog accompanying the compilation version, Microsoft explained his approach, saying that updates focus on presenting users “the highest quality sites based on their own browsing history.” The underlying algorithm has been adjusted to filter out less relevant suggestions and prioritize websites that users are more likely to find useful. The first comments from the testers were largely positive, with Windows Last notified that the updated recommendations seem more relevant.
The game support brings browser features to the overlays in the game
In addition to improvements to the Home menu, Microsoft introduced Edge Game Assist functionality for testers on the Beta channel. This new tool integrates a mini version of the Edge browser directly into the Xbox Game Bar. As TechRadar described, the feature allows players to access guides, tips and other websites without having to leave their game. This integration reduces the need for Alt-Tab out of a game, minimizing interruptions and the risk of losing progress or position in the game.
The game help function is particularly useful for players who need quick access to information in the middle of the game, such as walks, strategic guides or problem solving tips. By keeping the browser in the overlap of Game Bar, Microsoft aims to provide a perfect experience for players who often trust online resources to improve their game. The first testers reported that the functionality works smoothly, providing important comfort for players who often move between games and browser windows.
No plan to remove the recommended panel
Despite improvements in the recommended panel of the Start menu, Microsoft has confirmed that it does not intend to completely delete the feature. Windows Ultima, who asked Microsoft directly about this possibility, said the company remains committed to improving the quality of its recommendations instead. For users who are not interested in these suggestions, this news can be disappointing, as it indicates Microsoft’s determination to maintain functionality as a central part of the Windows 11 experience.
According to TechRadar, this decision reflects Microsoft’s broader strategy of integrating recommendations throughout the operating system, encouraging users to work with their products and services. While some users appreciate the opportunity to recently have access to the easily available content in the Start menu, others view the panel as an unnecessary draft that is subtracted from the overall user experience. Critics argue that Microsoft should offer more customization options, allowing users to decide what appears in the Recommended section.
As TechRadar indicated, the recommended panel is a contentious feature since the release of Windows 11. While improvements in filtering and relevance are steps in the right direction, they may not go far enough for users who prefer a cleaner and customizable interface. Many expressed the desire of the option to completely disable the panel or fill it with the content of their choice.
Mixed reactions of users and analysts
Improvements in the recommended group generated mixed feedback from users and industry analysts. On the one hand, better filtering and more relevant suggestions are seen as positive changes that take into account long-standing complaints about the function. According to Windows Ultima, the testers observed a remarkable improvement in the quality of the recommendations, with less unnecessary or redundant suggestions that appear on the Start menu.
However, the continued presence of the group remains a source of satisfaction. Many users believe that Microsoft’s recommendation reader, even when customized, violates their ability to control their operating system environment. Analysts suggested that Microsoft could achieve a better balance by offering more customization options, allowing users to adapt the Start menu to their preferences.
“It would be nice to be able to choose which content was in the Windows 11 boot menu, so that each user can customize it to his or her liking,”
TechRadar emphasized, reflecting the feelings of many users who prefer a more simplified experience without advertising. For now, Microsoft improvements are a step forward, but may not be enough to win those who remain skeptical of the recommended panel value.
Future recommendations from Windows 11
Microsoft’s approach to refining the recommended panel underscores its commitment to integrate custom content into Windows 11. By improving the relevance of the recommendations and introducing new features such as Game Assist, the company is trying to improve productivity and user participation. The latest changes in the construction of preview 22635.4655 are part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to gather feedback from testers and implement improvements based on their entry.
According to TechRadar, the success of these changes will ultimately depend on how they resonate with the Windows 11 user base. While some users may appreciate the comfort of custom recommendations, others may continue to press for more control over their Start menu experience. Microsoft’s decision to retain the recommended panel, despite criticism, suggests that the company sees a significant value in this feature as a tool to stimulate user engagement.
In the coming months, it will be interesting to see how Microsoft balances its vision for a custom Windows experience with users’ requirements that prioritize customization and simplicity. For now, improvements in the recommended panel and the introduction of Game Assist mark the last steps in Microsoft’s efforts to refine Windows 11 and respond to user feedback.
According to TechRadar, even if these updates address the concerns of some users, they are unlikely to meet everyone. The discussion on the recommended panel site in the Windows 11 boot menu is far from over, and Microsoft’s continuous refinements will continue to shape the future of the operating system.
