Microsoft is experimenting with a search widget on the Windows 11 taskbar

Microsoft is running several experiments in the latest Windows 11 version 23H2 build, placing widgets in different locations on the taskbar for certain settings.

One of the latest experiments places a search field at the far left of the Windows 11 taskbar if the taskbar icon is centered and not aligned to the left.

Microsoft changed the default layout of the Windows taskbar to be centered on the Windows 11 operating system. Added the option to align taskbar icons to the left to give users the option to restore the classic taskbar layout. The company did remove a number of features from Windows 11's taskbar, including the ability to place it on the side or top. Third-party programs, such as Stardock's Start11 or Taskbar 11, restore the option to put the taskbar on top, but some options cannot be restored this way.

After trying out the floating search widget in recent Windows 11 Insider builds (click here if you want to know how to activate it), Microsoft has launched a new search widget test; this time, the search widget The widget is located on the operating system's taskbar.

Windows 11 displays a search icon next to the Start menu by default, but the new test removes the icon from its default location and places it as a search field in the far left position of the taskbar. The weather widget icon that was already displayed in this location is on the right side of the build.

The new search field is not fully implemented yet. You can't use it to enter text yet, and a single click opens a centered search interface on your system. This might be the desired workflow when using the search widget, but it seems unlikely. A more likely implementation would allow the user to type directly into the search field and would open the search interface on the left side of the screen.

The search highlighting feature is also not yet implemented.

The available taskbar options also apply to the new search field. Disable search under taskbar items to hide elements on the taskbar. You can still run searches when you open Start on the taskbar.

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