Microsoft is testing new UI changes to the Windows 11 taskbar. The software giant is testing bringing back the familiar search bar from Windows 10, along with notification badges for the Widgets section of Windows. 11.
Windows 11 now has a search button on the taskbar, which can be disabled and only shows the search logo. Microsoft is currently testing three different visual changes to the search taskbar. One test is the regular search icon, while the other two include a small or large search bar in the taskbar. Microsoft is seeking feedback on the changes before they are rolled out more widely, and the tests are part of Microsoft’s new experimental Windows 11 features, which means they maybe no transportation.
After bringing the Weather widget back to the taskbar in Windows 11 recently, Microsoft is now testing more notification badges. The notifications are designed for content like breaking news and look similar to the badges you find in the Action Center on the right side of the taskbar.
“When you open the Widgets panel, a banner appears at the top of the panel providing more information about what triggered the notification badge,” explains Amanda Langowski, Director of Windows Insider. It’s not obvious, but I hope these notifications can be disabled along with the ability to regularly dismiss the Widgets taskbar button.
Along with the user interface tests, Windows Insiders in the Development Channel will also be able to start testing the new Camera app for Windows 11. The design has been updated to accommodate Windows 11 and is now available. including support for barcode and QR scanning. A new Media Player update is also available for testing, with the ability to rip CDs to AAC, WMA, FLAC, and ALAC files.
