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Microsoft is refining the Windows 11 experience with a new preview update — KB5055625 — now rolling out to Dev Channel users. This update introduces practical enhancements aimed at usability and customization, especially focusing on one of Windows’ most central features: the taskbar. From smarter icon scaling to a cleaner Start menu design, these changes are small in scope but big in impact. Let’s break down what’s new, why it matters, and what it could mean for the future of Windows UI design.
KB5055625 (30 lines)
– Update Name: Windows 11 KB5055625
– Availability: Dev Channel
– Primary Feature: Auto-scaling taskbar icons
– New Setting Location:
- Settings > System > Taskbar > Taskbar Behaviour
Key Features Introduced:
1. “Show smaller taskbar buttons” Toggle:
– Offers more control over taskbar appearance.
2. Three Modes for Icon Scaling:
- When taskbar is full (Default): Shrinks icons when crowded.
– Always: Keeps small icons at all times.
– Never: Keeps standard-sized icons, avoids automatic resizing.
Purpose of Scaling:
- Solves an ongoing issue: icons getting hidden behind the “three dots” overflow menu.
- Ensures better multitasking with easier access to open apps.
Start Menu Overhaul:
- The Recommended section is removed, offering a cleaner, distraction-free Start menu interface.
Limitations Remain:
- Manual resizing of the taskbar height or system tray is still not allowed.
- Moving the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen is still unsupported.
Why it Matters:
– These changes are about efficiency and preference.
– Adds flexibility to an otherwise rigid design.
- Addresses long-standing user complaints since the launch of Windows 11.
Feedback from the Community:
– Generally positive, especially for multitaskers.
- Some still criticize the lack of deeper customizability, particularly in comparison to Windows 10.
What Undercode Say: (40 lines of analysis)
The KB5055625 update may not be groundbreaking on the surface, but it’s a strong signal that Microsoft is finally listening to the community’s long-standing critiques about the Windows 11 taskbar. Let’s unpack the implications.
1. The Bigger Picture: UX Evolution
This icon-scaling feature aligns with a broader trend in user experience (UX) design: adaptive interfaces. Instead of forcing users into a one-size-fits-all UI, Windows is starting to allow its interface to change contextually — shrinking icons only when needed.
2. Resurrecting Power User Preferences
Windows 10 allowed users to fine-tune their taskbar. This was stripped in Windows 11, leading to criticism from power users and IT admins. While this update doesn’t return full control, it’s a step toward that flexibility — a partial return to form.
3. Addressing Multitasking Needs
One of the biggest gripes about the Windows 11 taskbar was the hidden icons when too many apps were open. This is a direct fix to a real problem, improving productivity for heavy multitaskers.
- Start Menu Redesign: Clean Slate or Missed Opportunity?
Removing the Recommended section might delight minimalists, but it also raises questions. What replaces it? Will Microsoft let users customize that space instead? A clean Start menu is good — but one that’s personalized would be better.
5. Settings Transparency
Placing the toggle deep inside Taskbar Behaviours keeps things tidy but slightly hidden. Windows could benefit from surfacing these toggles more prominently, possibly with a UI walkthrough post-update.
6. Limitations Highlight Microsoft’s Trade-offs
Despite new features, Windows 11 still lacks:
– Taskbar movement flexibility (top/left/right)
– Manual scaling of the full taskbar
– Enhanced system tray management
These omissions likely stem from Microsoft’s design language constraints, prioritizing visual consistency over full customizability.
7. Future Direction Hints
This update shows that Microsoft is willing to make iterative refinements, even if slowly. If this feature proves popular, we may soon see a resurgence of more granular controls — or even the return of some Windows 10 staples.
8. Compatibility & Testing
Being on the Dev Channel, this feature is still experimental. But it’s clearly functional enough to be publicly tested, hinting that it may be part of Windows 11 24H2 or a subsequent update.
9. For Developers & Designers
Auto-scaling icons impact app visibility and interaction — a small but important detail for UI/UX designers and developers who want predictable placement in the taskbar.
10. Final Verdict
It’s not revolutionary, but it’s smart. KB5055625 shows Microsoft is listening — and while the platform isn’t yet fully user-empowered, it’s at least trending in the right direction.
Fact Checker Results
- Verified: The icon scaling toggle exists and is visible in KB5055625 under Taskbar Behaviour.
- Confirmed: Taskbar movement is still not supported despite user demand.
- Accurate: The Recommended section has been removed in Start Menu design for this build.
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References:
Reported By: https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/04/07/kb5055625-tests-windows-11s-show-smaller-taskbar-buttons-feature/
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