In a surprising development, Microsoft has quietly begun testing a new feature for the Windows 11 Start menu. The feature, discovered by Windows watcher Albacore in the latest test versions of Windows 11, introduces a floating panel called "Start menu Companions" that could potentially bring back the beloved widget-like functionality seen in previous versions of Windows.

While Microsoft has yet to officially announce this feature, it appears that the Start menu Companions will enable developers to enhance the Windows 11 Start menu with adaptive card-based widgets. These widgets will provide users with informative and customizable blocks of information, displayed in a floating island that can be docked next to the Start menu.

According to Albacore, the companions are expected to be highly web-centric, similar to the widgets in Windows 11. The main Windows 11 Settings section will allow users to configure multiple companions, with the option to easily enable or disable them as desired.

This potential inclusion of Start menu Companions could be seen as Microsoft's response to the removal of Live Tiles in Windows 10X and Windows 11. Live Tiles, originally introduced in Windows 8, were animated and flipping icons that provided widget-like information on the Start menu. However, they faced limited support from app developers.

Microsoft's Live Tiles were initially designed to offer users a quick and convenient way to glance at their phone or Start menu and access relevant information. The Start menu Companions, if implemented, could be the solution to fill the void left by the removal of Live Tiles, providing users with a customizable and informative experience right at the start of their Windows 11 journey.

While it remains to be seen if Microsoft will proceed with this new feature, the testing phase suggests that the company is actively exploring ways to enhance the user experience on Windows 11. Users and developers alike will be eagerly awaiting further updates on the potential inclusion of Start menu Companions and the opportunities they could bring to the Windows 11 ecosystem.