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Microsoft Introduces New Widget Feature in the Windows 11 Start Menu
Microsoft continues to roll out new features for Windows 11, with one of the latest being the deeper integration of Copilot into the operating system.
Now, the U.S.-based company is testing a brand-new widget feature inside the Windows 11 Start Menu. This widget appears as a floating window on the right side of the Start Menu.
According to a report from X/Twitter user Albacore, as cited by Android Authority on Tuesday (May 14, 2024), the feature is called Companion, and it is included in the Windows 11 Beta build 26212 update.
The widget appears next to the Start Menu, and the report also shows how users can enable the Companion feature by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Start.
This menu displays a list of installed widgets with toggles and links to widget providers, allowing users to customize the experience based on their needs.
The report notes that layout placement for these widgets depends on the developers—whether they choose to display them on the left or right side of the Start Menu.
Although Microsoft has not officially announced the feature, “Start Menu Companions” appears to be a new approach that allows developers to extend the Windows 11 Start Menu with widget-style informational panels.
The feature is still in beta and will undergo further testing before being released publicly.
How useful this feature will be ultimately depends on how many developers adopt it and create widget content.
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