Microsoft is accelerating the replacement of legacy interfaces in Windows 11 with WinUI 3, with the latest updates targeting the AutoPlay dialog and the File Properties panel.
The AutoPlay dialog is the pop-up that appears when inserting a USB drive, phone, or disc. Its current design dates back to the Windows 8 era, locked in the top-right corner of the screen, which clashes with the overall style of Windows 11.
This placement made sense during the Windows 8 era, as the system was optimized for touchscreens, with the top-right corner near the Charms bar being easily reachable by finger. However, it feels out of place in Windows 11.
The new AutoPlay dialog has already appeared in the preview version. It is now centered on the screen, featuring a dark background, rounded corners, large icons, and wider element spacing, aligning with Windows 11's Fluent Design language.
Functional improvements include two new options: "Always" and "Only this time." Users can first choose how to handle connected devices and then decide whether to remember this choice, whereas the old version required confirmation each time.
The File Properties panel, which appears when right-clicking any file or folder and selecting Properties, is also undergoing redesign. The new version in the preview is still somewhat rough, with excessive padding, but Microsoft has stated that further optimizations will follow.
In recent years, Windows has made several promises of major overhauls, often resulting in much ado about nothing. The difference this time is that the core engineering team and product group are directly interacting with users, with most changes already implemented in the preview version rather than remaining mere marketing rhetoric.
Microsoft has officially acknowledged that WinUI's performance is less than ideal but stated that improvements are underway and will be extended from the application layer to the system Shell layer.
WinUI was previously considered marginalized, but Microsoft has recently clarified its commitment to fully promoting this framework and has begun enforcing its use within the Windows Shell.
Additionally, changes such as a movable taskbar and the removal of Bing from Windows Search are expected to begin rolling out in the Patch Tuesday update in September 2026.
