14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is getting ready to announce Windows 11, with the June 24 event very likely to bring us an early look at what the new operating system is projected to bring to the world.
But a build that leaked to the web earlier today already does that, as it can easily be installed in a virtual machine to preview some of the changes Microsoft has been working on for Windows 11.
The Start menu is obviously getting a revamp, and as you can see in the screenshot here, it comes with a completely new look.
If you’re familiar with Microsoft’s most recent projects, you probably figured out already that the Windows 11 Start menu borrows its design from Windows 10X, an operating system that’s believed to have already been ditched.
Windows 10X was announced with much fanfare a couple of years ago as an operating system projected to power Microsoft’s dual-screen push, but the project has since been discontinued with some of its features now being transitioned to full Windows.
Windows 11 announcement coming on June 24
And as it turns out, Windows 11 will be the platform to benefit from this change of mind, with the Start menu the most obvious sign that Microsoft is working to bring Windows 10X features to full Windows.
The Start menu will be centered, so it will no longer be available with a Start button placed in the left bottom corner. It uses a new simplified look with icons displayed in a grid and without live tiles. The lower part of the Start menu is used for recommended files and apps, while the power options are moved to the lower right corner to easily shut down or restart the system.
Needless to say, the design of the Start menu could be further refined by the time Windows 11 sees the daylight, with additional information to be shared by Microsoft itself on June 24.