The new taskbar overflow in Windows 11 is ideal for users that keep all of their apps active.
Currently, if you open too many apps in Windows 11 and Windows 10, then the taskbar creates an overflow area that only shows the most recent app that has been used or opened. This means that if you’re an app connoisseur, it can get difficult to navigate between lots of programs on smaller laptop screens (especially if you don’t use alt+tab and other multitasking features).
When you open too many apps in Windows 11 and Windows 10, the taskbar creates an overflow area that only shows the most recently used or open app. This means that if you’re an app aficionado, navigating between multiple programs on smaller laptop screens can be difficult (especially if you don’t use alt+tab and other multitasking features).
The new overflow menu matches the design of Windows 11 and includes all of the taskbar features you’d expect, such as app pinning and jump lists. “Once you click outside of it or navigate to an application after invoking overflow, the menu will quietly dismiss,” explains Amanda Langowski, head of Microsoft’s Windows Insider program.
Microsoft’s new overflow changes come just days after the company announced it is testing a new user interface for the Windows 11 taskbar. In Windows 11, Microsoft is experimenting with bringing back the familiar search bar from Windows 10, as well as notification badges for the Widgets section.
This new overflow feature is available to Windows 11 testers in the latest Dev Channel build, which was released this week. Microsoft is also testing enhancements to Windows 11’s AirDrop-like “nearby sharing” feature. The built-in share window now supports UDP to find nearby devices, allowing you to quickly find nearby PCs to share files. If you share local files via the share interface, Microsoft is also adding OneDrive integration to make uploading and sharing files to the cloud quick and easy.
Finally, this week’s update to the Microsoft Store makes it easier to see prices for games, apps, and movies. It’s also now easier to see different editions of a game, so you can compare prices between standard and deluxe editions of games quickly.