Microsoft is planning a “comprehensive visual rejuvenation of Windows” designed to signal users of the operating system that “Windows is BACK”. This is according to a job list posted by Microsoft recently, announcing a software engineering role on the Windows User Experience team:
“In this team, you’ll work with our flagship platform, Surface and OEM partners to orchestrate and provide a comprehensive visual rejuvenation of Windows experiences to signal to our customers that Windows IS BACK and ensure that Windows is considered the best system experience. operational status for customers. “
Microsoft silently removed references to this “eye-catching visual rejuvenation” this morning, after several Windows enthusiasts visa the list of jobs over the weekend. While Microsoft has been promising visual revisions of Windows 10 for years, thanks to its Fluent Design system, rumors suggest that the company is planning major changes to the Windows user interface that will be released later this year.
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Codenamed Sun Valley, Windows Central first reported on these changes to the user interface in October. Microsoft is planning to revise the Start menu, File Explorer and integrated Windows 10 applications to modernize them and make the UI more consistent. Some of the changes to the user interface will also include updates to the sliders, buttons and controls found in Windows and in applications running on the operating system.
Microsoft is also working to improve its experience in tablet mode, particularly as devices like the company’s Surface Line switch between using mouse / trackpad and touch-based interactions.
Microsoft has been working to improve user interface consistency across Windows in recent years, and much of that will be found in Windows 10X. The company also launched new Windows 10 icons almost a year ago, followed by a few minor adjustments to the Start menu a few months later.
All of this work happens when Microsoft signals a renewed interest in Windows. Surface boss Panos Panay took on the additional role of looking after Windows in October, after introducing some additional changes to the Windows 10 user interface last year. After a jump in the use of Windows due to the pandemic, it seems that Microsoft may be more ready than ever to give its operating system the polish of the user interface that it has been promising for years.