Windows 11 backtracks on suggested actions, other changes

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Microsoft

Windows 11 was a massive update, and Microsoft has continued to work on more changes and new features since its release. However, two features that were in testing have now been removed.

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25272 is now rolling out to Windows Insider testers on the Dev Channel, as one of the first test builds of 2023. There are some bug fixes, but Microsoft is also removing two features that have been in development for at least several months.

Microsoft said in a blog post: “We are removing the suggestion action for searching for copied text in Microsoft Edge and showing common recommended websites in the Recommended section on Home, both of which began rolling out with Build 25247. Thanks to all the Insiders who gave feedback on these two experiences. As a reminder, features and experiences we tested on the Dev Channel may be removed and never released beyond the Dev Channel as we incubate new ideas and receive feedback from Insiders.”

Recommended sites in the Windows 11 Start menu
Recommended websites in the Start menu Microsoft

Microsoft began testing suggested actions in May 2022, which displayed a small popup when some types of text were selected and copied to the clipboard, similar to selecting text on iPhone or Android. For example, copying a date or time would show a button to create a calendar event. Websites in the Start menu appeared later in November, which would appear as recommendations based on your browsing history or location. There wasn’t a full explanation as to why the features were removed, but it’s possible they didn’t work well or weren’t too popular with testers.

Meanwhile, build 22623.1095 is starting to roll out to the beta channel with another change to the start menu. Microsoft said that “the layout of the search box on the Start menu has been updated with more rounded corners to reflect the layout of the search box on the taskbar.” Nothing too innovative there.

Image of Windows 11 with curved corners in the search bar
Microsoft

Suggested actions and recommended websites have never been widely rolled out to Windows 11 PCs, and it’s unclear when (or if) the new rounded search bar in the Start menu will appear for everyone. We’ll have to wait for more versions to find out.

Source: Windows Blog (1, 2)

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