Recently, Microsoft made waves with an update to PowerToys, version 0.85, that introduces a handful of exciting features, including the much-anticipated New+ utility, which allows users to create folders and files using customizable templates directly in File Explorer. This seems like a triumph for productivity enthusiasts, but for many Windows users, it also forces a confrontation with a longstanding nemesis: the convoluted and, frankly, frustrating Windows 11 context menu. Let’s explore this update and the mixed bag that is the Windows 11 context menu experience.
Alongside these enhancements, users can expect a variety of bug fixes and improvements focused on performance, making PowerToys a smarter tool in the arsenal of Windows users.
As if that wasn’t enough, the mixture of icons and text can feel like a betrayal of Microsoft's own commitment to accessibility. Many users, while adapting to the icons, find the overall layout doesn't align well with modern accessibility standards.
As a Windows user, you can stay up-to-date by downloading the latest version of PowerToys from GitHub or the Microsoft Store. Let's hope for a makeover of the context menu in the near future—one that can simplify our computing lives rather than complicate them further. Until that day comes, let’s embrace the updates and make the most of the tools available.
Source: Windows Central This Microsoft app update reminded me how much I hate the Windows 11 context menu
What You Need to Know
The key highlight of PowerToys 0.85 is the New+ feature, which streamlines the process of creating a new folder or file using templates directly from the context menu in File Explorer. This update also allows users to select the UI language used across PowerToys utilities—a welcome feature for our multilingual friends.Alongside these enhancements, users can expect a variety of bug fixes and improvements focused on performance, making PowerToys a smarter tool in the arsenal of Windows users.
The Messy Reality of the Windows 11 Context Menu
Despite its useful addition, the update brings to light an important issue that users have grumbled about for ages: the Windows 11 context menu. The menu can often appear cluttered like a teenager’s bedroom—clothes and video game controllers strewn everywhere with no semblance of order. When you right-click on an item, what should be a straightforward experience quickly devolves into a chaotic array of options, nested layers, and inconsistent designs.The Intentions Behind the Design
Microsoft's approach in redesigning the context menu was to create a dual-layer system: offering commonly used options up front, while slipping less frequent choices behind a "Show more options" link. However, users frequently find themselves confused, toggling between two distinctly different menu styles, leading to a frustrating experience.As if that wasn’t enough, the mixture of icons and text can feel like a betrayal of Microsoft's own commitment to accessibility. Many users, while adapting to the icons, find the overall layout doesn't align well with modern accessibility standards.
The PowerToys Update: Features at a Glance
Here's a brief overview of the new features and improvements introduced with PowerToys 0.85:- New+ Utility: Create files and folders using customized templates directly from the context menu.
- Language Selection: Choose your preferred UI language for PowerToys utilities.
- General Fixes: Improvements to functionality across several modules, such as reduced memory usage for Peek, and bug fixes for File Locksmith and workspaces.
- Improved Performance: Enhancements made to minimize memory leaks and improve software responsiveness.
Broader Context: The Ongoing Battle for UI Cohesion
The challenges surrounding the Windows 11 context menu stem from a long history of maintaining legacy features while trying to push forward with modern design principles. Since its inception 20 years ago with Windows XP, the context menu has evolved in an "unregulated environment." In Microsoft’s attempts to cater to both new users and long-time aficionados, they’ve muddled user interfaces that clash rather than complement.Conclusion: The Road Ahead
While the latest update to PowerToys showcases Microsoft's commitment to enhancing user experience through utilities that bolster productivity, it starkly highlights the need for an overhaul of the context menu in Windows 11. If Microsoft can harness the same innovative spirit displayed in PowerToys to address these messy design elements, every Windows user may just find their daily computing experience becoming a lot less frustrating.As a Windows user, you can stay up-to-date by downloading the latest version of PowerToys from GitHub or the Microsoft Store. Let's hope for a makeover of the context menu in the near future—one that can simplify our computing lives rather than complicate them further. Until that day comes, let’s embrace the updates and make the most of the tools available.
Source: Windows Central This Microsoft app update reminded me how much I hate the Windows 11 context menu
