Microsoft Windows 10 Start Menu Changes

Microsoft's latest Windows 10 update is rolling out to the developer channel and includes some major changes, like a new Start menu design.

A new Windows 10 update has just been released by Microsoft, and includes tweaks to the Start menu tiles and new Alt+Tab functionality. These new additions have been released in the hope of making the user experience just a little bit more polished and friendly. While the new features have now been announced, it could take some time before all users get to see them.

Windows 10 follows on from the decent, but not exactly sought after, Windows 8.1. While it was originally released in July of 2015, the operating system has been undergoing a series of aesthetic and functional changes more recently, and as part of a long-term revamp. However, access to the changes often depends on the timing and the level a user and device are enrolled at. For example, all of the changes just announced are currently in the process of rolling out to the developer tier of Microsoft's Insider Program. Those not currently enrolled in the developer or canary tiers will have to wait until the features roll out as part of a stable release.

Although the earliest versions of Windows 10 were plagued with issues, Microsoft's steady and continued updates have since ironed out some of them. The most recent update was made available through the developer channel on July 1, 2020, but is being rolled out somewhat slowly to ensure stability and monitor issues. The update, as Microsoft explains, includes various changes and tweaks to improve usability, functionality and appearance. For example, there's a graphing mode for the Calculator app, and a more personalized taskbar dictated by what device someone has connected to their Windows 10 PC. However, some of the most notable changes are the theme-aware tiles in the Start menu, and the new Alt+Tab functionality.

A Closer Look At Microsoft's Latest Windows 10 Features

In previous versions of Windows 10, the tiles in the Start menu made use of solid backgrounds that could potentially clash with the visual theme the user had applied. This will no longer be the case, as the new tiles have semi-transparent backgrounds that change and blend in with the user theme. In addition, the tiles in the Start menu now fully support dark and light mode, along with whatever theme color the user might have selected.

The second major addition is the brand new Alt+Tab functionality. Normally, this key combination is used for switching between different apps that are running at a given moment. However, following the update, users running Microsoft Edge with multiple tabs open will find they all will appear within the Alt+Tab selection menu, making it easier for multi-taskers to switch between them. What's more, Microsoft promises that this is one of many productivity-enhancing features that are set to come to Microsoft Edge.

Despite seeming like somewhat minor additions, these two features can add up to make a big difference. Having semi-transparent tiles in the Start menu, that blend in with the color of the background, is an excellent feature, as it cleans up the look and further adds to the continuity experience. Meanwhile, the Alt+Tab feature is likely to also prove useful, due to the time it will save Microsoft Windows 10 users who often operate with multiple tabs open at once.