8 New Features We Want to See in Windows 12
Microsoft released Windows 11 in the fall of 2021. However, there’s already much speculation that Microsoft has a new Windows desktop OS in the works that could be released only three years after Windows 11, in 2024. Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed a new platform, but Windows 12 is the unofficial title of the upcoming desktop OS reputedly in the pipeline.
Whatever Microsoft’s next desktop OS is, the new features that the platform includes will likely make or break it. These are some new features we would like to see incorporated into Windows 12.
1. Context Menu Customization Settings
The right-click context menu for the desktop is a great place to add software, folder, and file shortcuts. Yet, Windows has zero built-in settings for adding shortcuts to that menu or customizing it in other ways. So, it’s about time Microsoft remedied that shortcoming by adding some context menu customization options to the Settings app.
Ourguide to adding software shortcuts to the Windows context menutells you how to add options for opening programs to that right-click menu by tweaking the registry. Many third-party context menu editors also compensate for Windows’ lack of right-click menu customization settings. Software packages like Winaero Tweaker, WinBubble, and Right Click Enhancer enable you tocustomize the context menuin lots of ways.
2. Live (Animated) Wallpapers
Windows 11’s default wallpapers remain static affairs. The same can be said for the downloadable theme packs on Microsoft’s site. An integrated feature for adding live wallpapers with moving content to the desktop background in Windows is overdue. Microsoft should throw in a few animated themes and wallpapers along with additional customization settings for adding custom videos or animated GIF backgrounds.
You must utilize third-party software to add live wallpapers to Windows at the moment. For example, Sim Aquarium adds a fish tank background to the desktop that includes moving fish. Our guide onsetting live wallpapers in Windowsprovides further details about other third-party software packages that enable animated backgrounds.
3. Alternative System Tray Clock Skins
The system tray clock on the far right of the Windows taskbar is a little bland. Nor does Windows include any selection of alternative system tray clock skins. It would be good to have some options for changing the visual appearance of the system tray clock.
To get an idea of what this feature could be like, check out Free Desktop Clock. That software includes a selection of groovy clock skins with which you may change the appearance of the system tray clock. Our guide aboutcustomizing the Windows system tray clockincludes full guidelines for how to add new clock skins with that software.
4. A Customizable Start Button
TheStartbutton is the most important one in Windows with which we access the platform’s primary menu. Yet, Windows doesn’t provide any way to change what that button looks like. Customization settings for selecting alternativeStartbutton icons would be a welcome addition to the next Windows platform.
Start Menu X is one third-party software package that enables you to customize theStartbutton. That software includes a basic set of 39 different Start menu buttons to choose from. You can also add a custom image to the Start button with that app.
5. Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows has loads of keyboard shortcuts (otherwise hotkeys) but no options to customize them. The only hotkey customization feature it has is a custom Shortcut key box for desktop shortcuts. There aren’t any settings available that enable users to change the platform’s default hotkeys according to preference. Such a feature could be added within the Settings app and even be extended to enable users to create hotkeys with new functions.
There are all kinds of software packages available with which we can remap and customize hotkeys on Windows. WinHotkey is one such app with which you can create new hotkeys. Or you can set up scripts for new keyboard shortcuts with AutoHotKey scripts.
6. An “Always on Top” Window Option
Why oh why hasn’t Microsoft added a button for pinning a window on top of all others to Windows? Such an option would enable users to pin apps they need to keep on top of all others when multitasking. AnAlways on Topoption could be easily fitted alongside theMaximize,Restore Down, andClosebuttons along the top of windows. Or Microsoft could incorporate such a feature with a pin context menu option or even hotkey.
Linux distros have had a native Always on Top feature for many years, but we’re still waiting for Microsoft to add such a thing to Windows. Countless third-party apps add such a feature to Windows. you’re able to add a window-pinning option, plus others, with Chameleon Window Manager Lite. Even Microsoft’s PowerToys software incorporates an Always on Top utility for pinning windows.
7. Group Desktop Icons Feature
There’s an evident lack of options for organizing desktop shortcut icons in Windows. You could organize them much better with a feature for grouping icons. That feature would enable users to group software shortcuts in different box categories, a bit like what you can do for apps on Android tablets.
Stardock Fences is popular Windows software because it enables users to organize desktop shortcuts for files, folders, websites, and software by grouping them into boxes. You can try out a demo of that software to see what a Windows feature for grouping shortcuts could be like. Or check out ourguide about grouping desktop shortcuts in Windows 11with the freeware iTop Easy Desktop and ToolBox.
8. Taskbar Icon Separators
The taskbar also lacks a shortcut organization feature. A feature for adding separator lines between icons to the taskbar would enable users to organize shortcuts added there. Such a feature would be straightforward to implement on Windows and provide a way to group related shortcuts on the taskbar.
Taskbar Separator 11 is software with which you can add divider separators to the taskbar. That’s a simple and lightweight freeware app for Windows 11 that shows you what such a feature would be like.
How to Suggest Your Own Windows Feature Ideas to Microsoft
Do you have any Windows feature ideas of your own you would like to suggest to Microsoft? If so, you can propose new ideas for Microsoft’s flagship platform with the Feedback Hub app. That app enables users to report Windows issues and propose ideas for the platform. Our guide ongetting the most out of the Windows Feedback Hubprovides details about how you can suggest features to Microsoft with that app.
Bring on Windows 12, We Say
So, let’s hope Windows 12 (or whatever Microsoft calls its next desktop platform) incorporates some of the features above. Many of those features would make Windows an altogether more customizable platform than it is. Desktop and taskbar icon grouping features would also be handy for organizing shortcuts.
For now, you’ll have to make do with the many third-party apps that enable such features until Microsoft integrates them into Windows.
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