The latest Windows 11 Canary build 26212 has stealthily introduced a new feature called “Start Menu Companions,” which allows small widget-like apps to appear in the Start Menu alongside pinned apps or the “All apps” list. These companions offer at-a-glance information, such as weather updates, stock prices, and more, much like the now-defunct Live Tiles feature from previous Windows versions. Although Microsoft has not officially announced this feature in the release notes for build 26212, it was discovered by Albacore on X (formerly Twitter) and provides a Look into what could soon be available for testing within the Windows Insider Program.
The new feature allows developers to create applications that use adaptive cards, an approach that enables the display of UI blocks of information in a platform-independent manner. This means that users will have the flexibility to configure these companions from the Windows 11 Settings, where they can install multiple companions and use toggles to enable or disable them as desired. According to Albacore, these companions appear to be heavily focused on web content, similar to the sidebar widgets already found within Windows 11.
The design of the Start Menu has been a major concern for those updating to Windows 11 from Windows 10, with it being criticized not only for its limited usefulness but even its functionality. Start Menu Companions wouldn’t fix those issues, but it would certainly bring back some of the familiarity of the Windows 10 Start Menu. The feature seems to be reminiscent of the now discontinued Live Tiles, which were launched by Microsoft as an effort to unify its platform with Windows Phone OS.
Windows 11’s Revamped Start Menu with Adaptive Card Companions
The introduction of Start Menu Companions also raises questions about the future of the Windows 11 Start Menu. Will it become more extensible, similar to the way the Start Menu of Windows 10 was? Will we see more widgets and companions in the future? Only time will tell. For now, the feature is still in its early stages, and it’s unclear when it will be available to the general public.
The discovery of Start Menu Companions has triggered excitement among Windows enthusiasts, who see this as a step towards a more customizable and extensible Start Menu. While it’s unclear how this feature will evolve in the future, it’s clear that Microsoft is working to revamp the Start Menu and make it more useful for users.
The introduction of Start Menu Companions in the latest Windows 11 Canary build is an exciting development that could bring back some of the familiarity of the Windows 10 Start Menu. With its focus on web content and use of adaptive cards, this feature has the potential to become a game-changer for Windows enthusiasts. However, it remains to be seen how this feature will evolve and whether it will be available to the general public in the near future.
