Microsoft Tests Device Cards and Start Menu Refinements in Latest Windows 11 Preview Builds

Settings Gets Smarter Navigation

Microsoft appears to be giving Windows 11’s Settings application another round of polish, according to reports from testers in the company’s Insider program. The latest preview builds, identified as KB5067109, reportedly introduce what Microsoft is calling “Device Cards” – essentially consolidated information hubs that provide quick access to system details and related settings areas.

Sources indicate the new cards function as navigation shortcuts, allowing users to jump directly to connected sections like Storage management without drilling through multiple menus. Meanwhile, the About page has undergone a structural redesign that supposedly organizes system information more logically. This continues Microsoft’s multi-year effort to make Windows Settings both more visually appealing and functionally intuitive, addressing long-standing criticisms about settings being buried too deep in the interface.

Start Menu Search Gets Visual Cohesion

Testers are noticing subtle but meaningful changes to the Start Menu’s search functionality as well. According to documentation from Microsoft’s Windows Insider blog, the search flyout now matches the dimensions of the larger Start Menu itself. This creates what designers would call a more cohesive visual transition when users initiate searches from the Start interface.

Perhaps more practically useful, the search results themselves no longer require opening a separate page. Insiders can now scroll through all results directly within the flyout interface, potentially saving clicks and navigation time for power users who frequently rely on Windows Search. These incremental improvements suggest Microsoft is paying close attention to the fluidity of everyday interactions within the Windows 11 environment.

Gradual Rollout with Additional Features

These interface refinements are reportedly rolling out gradually to Windows Insiders in both the Dev and Beta channels who have enabled the “Get the latest updates” toggle. The phased approach is standard for Microsoft’s testing process, allowing the company to monitor feedback and identify potential issues before broader deployment.

Building on these visual changes, the same update apparently introduces several functional enhancements. A “Copy & Search” shortcut is now accessible directly from the Taskbar, according to insider reports. Voice Typing gains delay controls for more precise dictation management. Microsoft has also included a Proactive Memory diagnostic tool, though documentation remains sparse on exactly how this feature will function in practice.

For those tracking Microsoft’s development cycle, these builds represent continued refinement of both the current 24H2 version and the forthcoming 25H2 update expected next year. The parallel development approach allows Microsoft to test features across multiple release timelines, giving the company flexibility in deciding which improvements make it into which version of Windows 11.

Context and Implications

These updates fit into Microsoft’s broader strategy of gradually evolving the Windows interface rather than introducing radical overhauls. The Start Menu in particular has been a focus of continuous refinement since Windows 11’s initial release, with Microsoft carefully balancing familiarity against modernization.

The enhanced Windows Search experience reflects ongoing competition with other operating systems and search interfaces. By keeping users within the search flyout for results, Microsoft appears to be optimizing for efficiency – a priority for productivity-focused users who form Windows’ core constituency.

Industry observers will be watching how these features evolve through the testing process. Some may eventually reach all Windows 11 users, while others could be modified or abandoned based on Insider feedback. What’s clear is that Microsoft continues to treat Windows 11 as a living product rather than a finished artifact, with regular interface refinements becoming expected rather than exceptional.