Microsoft is testing a redesigned Run menu for Windows 11, rolling out the updated interface in May 2026 to users enrolled in the new Experimental Channel of the Windows Insider program.
The refreshed Run menu features a modern design that Microsoft says loads faster than the current version and includes support for dark mode. Microsoft built the new interface using code from Command Palette, a utility available through its PowerToys toolkit that allows users to run commands, open websites, and search files.
One notable change is the removal of the “Browse” button, which previously provided a shortcut to user files. Microsoft said it dropped the button after finding “very low usage.” In its place, the company added support for a new “~\” command that navigates directly to the user directory.
Windows 11 Insiders can enable the new Run menu by navigating to Settings > System > Advanced and toggling the option on. An early version of the redesigned menu had already appeared in preview builds last year.
Microsoft framed the update as part of broader performance improvements to the operating system. “We’ve collaborated tightly with partners across the platform to get these UI surfaces loading snappy,” the company said in a blog post. “Improvements we’ve made to the platform don’t just make Run fast, but they help make the whole OS more efficient.”
For everyday Windows 11 users, the update may mean a faster and more visually consistent Run menu that aligns with the OS’s existing dark mode settings — though the redesign remains in testing and has not yet rolled out to the general public.
Source: The Verge