Microsoft is testing Windows 11's new Start menu with floating widgets and QR code recognition in Scissors

Microsoft has started testing a unique change in the Windows 11 Start menu, which may introduce a floating panel with "companion" widgets. The new Start menu feature is already available in the latest public testing versions of Windows 11.

Although Microsoft has not announced this feature yet, it seems that Start menu Companions is a way to allow developers to expand the Windows 11 Start menu with widget-like functionality. Such a widget is inside a floating island that can be docked next to the Start menu. It appears that developers will be able to create applications that provide information similar to widgets using Adaptive Cards - a platform-independent way of displaying blocks of UI information.

It's time for the Start menu to become extensible!✨
Windows 11 β build 26212 quietly introduces support for "Start Menu Companions." They're apps that provide Adaptive Cards which display on a floating island (docked ➡️ or ⬅️) alongside Start
Used Widgets data as a quick demo 😊 pic.twitter.com/FddrpC99h3

— Albacore ☁️ (@thebookisclosed) May 9, 2024

These companions can be customized in the main settings section of Windows 11. Users will be offered the possibility to install multiple companions and switch them on or off. It seems that these companions are very Internet-oriented, similar to widgets in Windows 11.

At the same time, in Windows 11 builds for Windows Insider program participants, an updated Snipping Tool has appeared. It is now capable of automatically detecting QR codes in screenshots, allowing users to easily open links from their PC.

The Snipping Tool update also includes emoji support. Fans of such elements will be able to add Microsoft's 3D emojis to their screenshots. This new option is part of the shape tools panel. Any inserted emoji can be easily edited and moved on top of the screen capture.

Regarding the shape tools panel, Microsoft is adding the ability to change the fill opacity of the shape and the outline color. There will also be a ruler tool, which can be turned on or off using the CTRL + R key combination.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is renaming the AI-powered Paint Cocreator feature. It will now be called Image Creator, but will work the same way as before, allowing users to create images from text prompts.

Source: The Verge 1, 2