Looks like Microsoft is giving its Windows 11 widget panel a major overhaul! They’re not just tweaking it but rebuilding it from the ground up. The big headline is that they’re ditching web technology and going native.
So, what does this mean?
Well, currently, the widget panel uses something called WebView2. It’s a way to display web content within the Windows interface. However, Microsoft has decided to kick WebView2 to the curb and embrace WinUI 3 instead.
WinUI 3 is Microsoft’s latest native user interface framework for Windows. By switching to this, the widget panel should become an integral part of the operating system. This could lead to better performance, a more consistent look and feel with the rest of Windows, and potentially more powerful features.
This change might not be immediately apparent to regular users, but it could make the widget panel more responsive and snappier. It might also open the door for cool new widgets that can do more than the current ones.
It’s an exciting move by Microsoft. They’re putting effort into making the widget panel more useful and appealing. After all, widgets haven’t always been the most popular feature in Windows, so maybe this overhaul will change some minds.
Of course, as with any significant change, we’ll have to wait and see how it pans out in practice. But it’s something to keep an eye on if you’re a Windows 11 user or just interested in tech developments.
A native widget panel to offer a better user experience
Although Microsoft has not specified this detail in the Notes from the latest Beta Channel build (22635.4000)X user @phantomofearth discovered this on his own.
The Widgets board is getting some improvements soon (at least in the European Economic Area/EEA): notably, it will soon use WinUI 3! (with used for the “Custom Feed”.) pic.twitter.com/fxkXQ3I3Jz
— phantomofearth 🌳 (@phantomofearth) July 26, 2024
According to Microsoft’s post, the changes to the Windows 11 widget panel are explained below:
We are rolling out an update to the widget panel to improve security and widget and feed creation APIs for users in EEA regions. As part of this update, the Microsoft Start Experiences app will power Microsoft Start widget and feed experiences. Additionally, as part of this update, some existing widgets will be removed and others will be modified, temporarily impacting their functionality. This update lays the groundwork for new widgets and other features in development that will be released soon.
Surprisingly, Microsoft is currently discussing changes related to the European Economic Area. Still, it would be unusual if such a significant update to the widget panel were limited to this region alone. The importance of this new feature is substantial. While Microsoft has heavily invested in web technologies through WebView2 in recent years, native software generally provides a better user experience.
Advantages of native solutions include lower RAM consumption and more responsive widgets that load content faster. These improvements should become apparent following the update.
