Taskbar Reliability Gets an Upgrade
Microsoft is preparing new updates for Windows 11 that aim to improve some of the operating system’s most criticized features: the taskbar and Start menu. In two new preview builds announced this week, Microsoft says it has addressed issues that users have long found frustrating.
Among the changes, the taskbar is expected to perform more smoothly in auto-hide mode. Users who enable “automatically hide the taskbar” should now experience more reliable animations when the bar disappears or reappears. Microsoft also fixed a bug that prevented interaction with apps or desktop elements in the area directly above the taskbar, a glitch that had been widely reported.
The company noted that if an app requires attention — such as when it highlights orange on the taskbar — the bar will remain visible, ensuring alerts are not missed. These refinements are part of Microsoft’s effort to make Windows 11 more stable and user-friendly as it nears its fourth anniversary.
Start Menu Adds Copilot Recommendations
Alongside the taskbar updates, the Start menu is also receiving a new addition. The “Recommended” section will soon display sample prompts for Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot. For example, the menu might suggest trying tasks such as generating an image with Copilot, giving users a quick introduction to the tool’s capabilities.
While the move is designed to increase awareness of Microsoft’s AI features, it may not sit well with all users. Some have criticized the Recommended section as a space for unnecessary clutter or advertising. However, the latest builds now allow users to disable the Recommended section entirely, offering a cleaner Start menu if preferred.
Customizing the User Experience
For those wary of Microsoft inserting promotional content, it is worth noting that disabling the Recommended section also removes Copilot suggestions. Other upsells, such as occasional full-screen Microsoft 365 prompts, can likewise be turned off. Microsoft says its goal is to balance personalization with guidance, but the changes highlight the ongoing tension between usability and product promotion within Windows 11.
With these improvements, Microsoft hopes to reduce complaints that have led many users to remain on Windows 10. Whether smoother taskbar behavior and optional Copilot prompts will be enough to sway longtime critics remains to be seen, but the updates signal that the company is listening to feedback — even if slowly.