Windows 11 plans to support third-party widgets later this year

Microsoft

Widgets on Windows 11 could be potentially more useful in the coming months. During its Build developer conference, Microsoft shared that it will start supporting widgets for third-party apps this 2022. The company will allow developers to create widgets for Win32 apps and progressive web apps using Microsoft's Adaptive Cards platform. This will enable developers to offer at-a-glance information that Microsoft can't with its own app. As Engadget pointed out, things like access to your Twitter timeline or messages on third-party apps will be a helpful feature.

Microsoft shut down widgets in Windows 7 because it was possible to exploit them. Hopefully, the company will address this issue before it might become a problem for its latest operating system.

Microsoft tests new Windows 11 controller shortcut to access recently launched games

There might be a more straightforward way to launch recently-played games on your Windows 11 systems soon. Microsoft is experimenting with a new "controller bar" feature that allows you to access up to three recently-played games by pressing the central Xbox button on a controller. This method means you don't have to use a mouse or keyboard to boot up a game you've been playing. That will come in handy for those who connect their PCs to TVs.

Microsoft said the controller bar feature is currently in testing for Windows Insiders on its Dev and Beta channels. You can check out how to enable the feature here.

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Microsoft brings tabs to Windows 11's File Explorer

Microsoft is ready to introduce some new features to Windows 11 that can help with hybrid work. One of the most significant changes is the redesign of File Explorer. The app now gets tabs and offers you a way to "see all files in one centralized place." It will get features like file pinning and tabs, so your frequently visited folders are easily accessible. The video demo above shows that you can right-click on a file and select "Add to Favorites" to pin it. To keep multiple taps open, you just need to click on a plus sign on the top left to start a new tab, similar to how browser tabs work.

Microsoft is working on redesigning Task Manager on Windows 11

One more legacy part of Windows 11 is getting a new look. Engineering student Gustave Monce spotted a new look for the Task Manager in Windows 11 hidden in the recent builds. And it matches with Microsoft's new Fluent Design language. It's possible to enable it in the latest preview builds, but it hasn't been officially launched, and Monce noted that everything is "broken." It is in its early phases, but it already has a dark mode and an interface matching the Windows 11 design changes.

You can see rounded corners, pastel shades, and a more straightforward interface. The tabs in the existing Task Manager are replaced with a sidebar that lets you switch between the different sections. As The Verge noted, the Task Manager has been around since it debuted in Windows NT 4.0, but it hasn't been updated in almost a decade. Its last redesign was when Windows 8 was launched.