Microsoft to Redesign "Boulder" Windows 11 Right Click Menu
Microsoft has taken notice of user input regarding an overstuffed context menu in Windows 11, announcing plans for a major redesign with more reasonable functionality. In a related vein, Microsoft feels that the current right-click menu often presents users with obnoxiously long lists that do not always present actions in an intuitive manner.
The Problems Exists- Torturous for the Users
Several issues have been pointed out by users regarding the already existing context menu implementation:
- Too Long: A long list of actions is often available for users to go through.
- Confusion Between Options: Some actions seem to provide duplication in some instances, for example right-clicking on an image might display entries associated with the "Photos" app.
- Not Always used: Some context menu entries are not always applicable to the particular type of file selected, creating visual ambiguity.
The Solution- Contextual Nested Menus
Developed by Microsoft to tackle these issues, the context-aware nested menus should help solve all the problems by categorizing or grouping related actions based on file types under a sub-list that appears when called.
For example, all actions relating to the "Photos" app will go under one section "Open in the 'Photos' app". Related apps Paint or Snipping Tool will open a second menu while keeping the primary clear.
New Capabilities for Developers
This ability is enabled via a new API named SplitMenuFlyoutItem. It will allow developers to:
- Group rarely used or advanced tools into sub-menus.
- Specify a default action for a file type.
Microsoft estimates that this new "Separate Context Menu" feature will shorten the average length of menus presented by about 38%.
Roll-out and Availability
The new context menu will first make its way into WinUI applications. Microsoft has not confirmed whether this change will affect the Windows 11 shell in its entirety. The update has no announced date.
