Microsoft abandons streamlined Taskbar system tray arrangement in Windows 11, following criticism from beta testers, leaving the reasoning behind the decision unclear
In a surprising move, Microsoft has abandoned the simplified System Tray layout on Windows 11, following negative feedback from testers. The change aimed to streamline the taskbar’s system tray by showing a more compact date and time display, removing the year and the AM/PM indicator, showing only the day, month, and time to save space and create a cleaner look.
Despite the layout's efficiency, the testers disliked the minimalist approach, leading Microsoft to pause and eventually scrap the update rather than continuing with it or offering it as an option. The motivation behind this redesign was rooted in minimalism, space management, and modernization, consistent with Windows 11’s overall design philosophy.
Critics felt a middle ground could have been implemented, such as an opt-in toggle under Taskbar settings or offering customization options to users to select their preferred view. The binary rollback suggests the feature is currently shelved, and there is no official indication from Microsoft that it will return in future updates.
However, given Windows' historical emphasis on customization, and industry observers advocating for a toggle or customization, it's conceivable that Microsoft could revisit the idea in a more user-friendly form depending on user demand and further internal evaluation.
Some users, particularly those who prefer having more information on screen, may have provided negative feedback. On the other hand, some users prefer a more streamlined Taskbar and would have appreciated the option to enable the simplified layout. The education sector may have also provided negative feedback due to the need for reminding the year and time of day.
Microsoft Principal Product Manager, Brandon LeBlanc, has confirmed that the simplified System Tray hasn't returned due to negative feedback. The new layout displayed the time, day, and month only, and some users would like to hide the AM/PM indicator and the year from the date, not the entire date and time.
Microsoft began testing a simplified System Tray layout on the Taskbar in Windows 11 last year. Since then, the future return of the simplified System Tray layout remains unclear. Users are encouraged to share their thoughts on the removal of the simplified System Tray layout in the comments.
- The abandoned update on Windows 11, which aimed to simplify the System Tray layout, was a Microsoft initiative, following the negative feedback from testers.
- Critics suggested a middle ground for the System Tray update, such as an opt-in toggle or customization options, to accommodate preferences of various users.
- Some users may have appreciated the streamlined Taskbar, but disliked the removal of the year and AM/PM indicator, calling for the option to hide these specific elements instead of the entire date and time.
- Brandon LeBlanc, Microsoft Principal Product Manager, confirmed that the simplified System Tray hasn't returned yet due to the negative feedback it received.
- While the education sector may have expressed concerns about the removal of the year and time of day reminder, some users who prefer having more information on screen also provided negative feedback on the simplified System Tray layout in Windows 11.
