Microsoft has announced enhancements to its ContextMenu in Windows 11, offering a split view option for better organization and reduced clutter.
Key Features and Release
The new split view context menu allows developers to nest actions into submenus, streamlining user experience. By grouping related actions, such as placing photo-editing tools under a "Photos" submenu, Microsoft aims to make context menus less crowded and more efficient. This update will address previous criticisms of Windows 11 context menus being overly simplistic and cluttered.
The feature will be made available in the upcoming Windows App SDK 2.0 exp3 release, as demonstrated during a recent WinUI Community Call on 2025-11-05.
Developer and User Impacts
This change is particularly notable for developers, who can now organize their applications' context menus more effectively. By adopting the new API, developers will offer smoother interactions for users. Furthermore, the improved context menus are expected to reduce system lag when being accessed, especially on slower devices.
Microsoft's move to refine the user interface of Windows 11 reflects ongoing efforts to enhance functionality and user satisfaction.
