Windows 11 UI modernization accelerates: WinUI overhauls coming to File Properties, Autoplay, and more

For years, one of the most persistent criticisms leveled at Windows has been its inconsistent user interface. The problem traces back to Windows 8, but it only compounded throughout the Windows 10 lifecycle as Microsoft layered different design frameworks, legacy context menus, outdated iconography, and varying levels of polish onto the same operating system. The result was a platform that often felt unfinished, prompting many users to cite its lack of visual cohesion when choosing between Windows and competitors like macOS.

When Windows 11 launched in 2021, Microsoft began tackling this fragmentation head-on. The operating system introduced a unified design language built on the WinUI framework, gradually replacing older, disjointed surfaces with modernized alternatives. Over the past few years, we have seen the volume and brightness sliders, file sharing dialogs, and right-click context menus all receive this treatment.

Earlier this year, Microsoft formally announced a renewed commitment to extending WinUI across the rest of the Windows shell. The strategy is clear: wherever it makes sense, older interfaces will be rewritten to match the Windows 11 aesthetic while simultaneously improving performance. The company has already confirmed a WinUI rewrite of the Start menu, but recent developments reveal a much broader list of overhauls currently in progress.

Why Microsoft is pushing WinUI across the Windows shell

The shift toward a WinUI-centric Windows is not just about aesthetics. Microsoft’s CVP of Design and Research, Marcus Ash, has explained that the company has been investing heavily in internal tooling to accelerate the modernization of legacy code. By consolidating more of the operating system under a single UI framework, Microsoft can streamline development, reduce technical debt, and ensure that design updates roll out more consistently across the entire platform.

From a performance standpoint, the move is equally significant. WinUI components are designed to share a System Compositor, which manages rendering across the Windows shell. This architecture reduces redundant drawing operations, lowers memory overhead, and allows individual UI elements to load faster. In practical terms, this means the operating system will feel more responsive over time, even as it adds new features.

Microsoft has also emphasized that these overhauls will not come at the cost of stability. The company is taking a phased approach, testing new WinUI surfaces in preview builds before rolling them out to the general public. This ensures that legacy compatibility is maintained while users gradually experience the benefits of a more unified interface.

#1 Modernized File Properties

One of the most noticeable oversights in Windows 11 has been the File Properties dialog. Despite the rest of File Explorer receiving a visual refresh, this specific window has remained largely untouched for over a decade. It lacks dark mode support, uses outdated typography, and feels visually disconnected from the rest of the operating system.

Recent Windows 11 preview builds have confirmed that Microsoft is rebuilding this dialog with WinUI. The initial sightings appeared when users viewed the properties of a file located in the Recycle Bin, but the company has stated that the modernized experience will eventually apply to all files across the system.

The new interface brings consistent typography, proper dark mode integration, and a cleaner layout that aligns with the Windows 11 design language. For users who frequently interact with file metadata, this update eliminates a long-standing visual inconsistency and reduces the cognitive friction of switching between old and new interfaces.

The Autoplay menu, which appears when you connect a USB drive or insert a disc, has not been updated since Windows 8. It still relies on elements of Microsoft’s original Metro design language, making it one of the few remaining interfaces that feels out of place in Windows 11.

Microsoft has confirmed that this menu is currently being rewritten with WinUI. While the company has not yet shared a preview of the new design, it has verified that the updated interface will support both light and dark modes. This is a significant improvement, as the current menu often remains stuck in light mode even when the rest of the system is set to dark.

The modernized Autoplay menu will likely feature a cleaner layout, improved touch targets for users on convertible devices, and better integration with Windows 11’s notification and action center systems. Until Microsoft shares a visual preview, users can expect a design that prioritizes consistency and usability over drastic visual changes.

#3 Modernized Print Management

Print Management has long been one of Windows’ most utilitarian tools, but it has also been one of its most visually dated. The current interface is built on the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), a framework that has remained largely unchanged since the Windows 90s era.

Microsoft is now building a WinUI-powered version of Print Management, replacing the decades-old MMC-based interface with a modern alternative that supports dark mode and aligns with the Windows 11 aesthetic. This is particularly notable because it marks the first time an MMC-based tool is receiving the WinUI treatment.

The implications of this move extend beyond Print Management. If Microsoft is successfully modernizing MMC-based tools, it bodes well for future updates to other legacy utilities like Disk Management, Computer Management, and Event Viewer. These tools have been criticized for their outdated appearance and inconsistent behavior, and a WinUI rewrite could finally bring them into the modern era.

#4 Modernized Run Dialog

The classic Run dialog has been a staple of Windows for decades, but it has not kept pace with modern design standards. Microsoft has already shipped preview builds featuring a redesigned version of this interface, built entirely with WinUI.

The new Run dialog supports both light and dark modes, integrates features previously available only in PowerToys, and includes performance improvements that make it faster to launch. Microsoft has also added practical enhancements, such as the ability to type ~\ for quick access to the user home directory and the display of app icons in recent search results.

One notable detail is that the modernized Run dialog will initially be available as an opt-in feature. Users will need to manually enable it if they want to use the new interface, suggesting that Microsoft is testing user adoption before making it the default. This approach allows the company to gather feedback and refine the experience before a wider rollout.

Microsoft has already confirmed that the Start menu is being rewritten with WinUI, though the company has been relatively quiet about the specific changes users can expect. The primary goal of this rewrite is performance: the new WinUI Start menu will consume less memory and respond faster thanks to the System Compositor architecture.

Interestingly, Microsoft does not appear to be redesigning the Start menu’s layout alongside the WinUI migration. Given that the company recently introduced new customization options for the existing Start menu, a visual overhaul so soon after would likely confuse users. Instead, the focus remains on improving performance and resource efficiency while maintaining the familiar interface.

For users who rely heavily on the Start menu, this means a smoother experience with faster search results and reduced background resource usage. The underlying framework change is largely invisible, but it contributes to the overall responsiveness of the operating system.

#6 Compact Context Menus

Context menus in Windows 11 have been a source of frustration for many users, particularly when dealing with files that have numerous associated actions. Microsoft is addressing this with a complete redesign that introduces a compact menu layout, improved performance, and greater customization options.

The new compact context menu is smaller and lighter, reducing lag when opening menus with many items. It also allows users to customize which actions appear in the menu and configure their order. This means users can hide unused apps and actions, creating a cleaner and more personalized right-click experience.

This update is particularly beneficial for power users who rely on context menus for frequent tasks. By allowing greater control over menu contents, Microsoft is acknowledging that one size does not fit all and providing tools to tailor the interface to individual workflows.

What This Means for You

The expanding Windows 11 UI modernization roadmap signals a clear shift in Microsoft’s approach to operating system design. Rather than treating visual consistency as an afterthought, Microsoft is now prioritizing it as a core component of the user experience. For everyday users, this means fewer jarring transitions between old and new interfaces, better dark mode support across the board, and a more cohesive visual identity.

From a performance perspective, the move to WinUI and the System Compositor will yield gradual but measurable improvements. Applications and system utilities will load faster, consume less memory, and respond more quickly to user input. These changes may seem subtle, but they contribute to a noticeably smoother computing experience over time.

For IT administrators and enterprise users, the modernization of tools like Print Management and the Run dialog may require updates to internal documentation and training materials. However, Microsoft’s emphasis on maintaining legacy compatibility suggests that core functionality will remain unchanged, minimizing disruption to existing workflows.

How to Get It

Most of the WinUI overhauls described in this article are still in development. Microsoft is rolling out these changes gradually through Windows 11 preview builds, allowing users to test the new interfaces and provide feedback before they reach the general public.

To access early versions of these updates, you can join the Windows Insider Program and opt into the Dev or Beta channels. Keep in mind that preview builds are intended for testing and may contain bugs or incomplete features. For a stable experience, wait for Microsoft to release these updates through the regular Windows Update pipeline.

As Microsoft continues to refine its internal tooling and accelerate the modernization of legacy interfaces, users can expect even more parts of the Windows shell to receive the WinUI treatment in the coming months. The focus on consistency, performance, and user customization positions Windows 11 for a more polished and unified future.

Source: Latest from Windows Central

Over to you: Which legacy Windows interface do you think deserves a WinUI redesign the most?