Microsoft tests revamped Windows 11 Run menu with dark mode
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is testing a redesigned Windows 11 Run menu with a modern interface, faster performance, and dark mode support for Insiders in the Experimental Channel.
– Microsoft removed the “Browse” button due to low usage and replaced it with a “~\” command that opens the user directory.
– The new Run menu was built using code from PowerToys’ Command Palette utility for running commands, opening websites, and searching files.
– Windows 11 Insiders can enable the new Run menu by going to Settings > System > Advanced and turning the option on.
– Microsoft states the redesign improves platform efficiency, making both Run and the overall OS more responsive.
Microsoft is rolling out a long-overdue Windows 11 Run menu redesign to Insiders in the Experimental Channel, bringing a sleeker interface, improved performance, and native dark mode support. The update marks a significant visual and functional overhaul for the decades-old utility.
According to Microsoft, the classic “Browse” button , which provided a shortcut to user files , has been removed after data showed it was rarely used. In its place, the company has introduced a new “~\” command that takes users directly to their user directory, offering a more streamlined alternative.
The new Run menu was built using code from the Command Palette, a PowerToys feature designed for quickly executing commands, launching websites, and searching files. Microsoft experimented with multiple design iterations before landing on the current version now being tested. Insiders can activate the updated Run menu by navigating to Settings > System > Advanced and toggling the option on. A preliminary version of this redesign first appeared in preview builds last year.
“We’ve collaborated tightly with partners across the platform to get these UI surfaces loading snappy,” Microsoft explained in a blog post. “Improvements we’ve made to the platform don’t just make Run fast, but they help make the whole OS more efficient.”
The refreshed Run menu is expected to roll out more broadly after Insider testing concludes.
(Source: The Verge)
