Microsoft Windows 10 OS Start Menu To No Longer Feature Real-Time Information Giving Live Tiles
Windows 10 has been one of the most dynamically altered versions of the operating system. Microsoft has routinely sent out new features and scrapped older ones based on the usage patterns, feedback, and other parameters. It appears one of the most iconic and distinctive features of Windows 10 OS may be gradually removed in the upcoming Feature Updates.
Microsoft appears to be considering to completely remove the ‘Live Tiles’ feature. The Start Menu Live Tiles, one of the most definitive features of Windows 10 was first introduced with metro-style Windows Phone 7 and has undergone several refinements and feature additions over the years. However, the company may scrap the feature primarily because they do not seem to have any benefit or add any value to the user experience.
Windows 10 To Lose Live Tiles And Get Back Colorful Static Icons In A Future Update After Windows 10’s 20H2 Release?
Microsoft introduced Live Tiles with Windows 8 desktop OS. However, the drastic shift from keyboard-mouse usage to touch-type User Interface wasn’t accepted by long-term Windows OS users. Nonetheless, Live Tiles continued to be featured in future releases of Windows OS, including the current-generation of Windows 10. However, Live Tiles might be dropped in future releases of Feature Updates.
Microsoft might be planning to retire Live tiles soon – https://t.co/o2ShsPeeTg pic.twitter.com/qD9oRINz26
— MSPoweruser (@mspoweruser) February 26, 2020
There are about two dozen Live Tiles within the standard Start Menu of Windows 10. They are, by default, dynamic, and supposed to continuously pull information in real-time. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Except for the Weather Tile, the rest of the Live Tiles are not displaying anything useful information, and more so it is not real-time. While it is indeed true that Live Tiles look good on smartphones and tablets, owing to the limited screen real estate, the majority of desktop users appear to prefer the Static Tiles found in the old desktop UI.
Incidentally, after Microsoft terminated development and support for Windows Mobile, the company has completely stopped updating Live Tiles experience on Windows 10. They are supported by third-party apps such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. However, users have reportedly noted that these Live Tiles do not offer any value addition or display useful information.
https://twitter.com/monntolentino/status/1232739676215103488
Microsoft Killing Live Tiles In Favor Of Colorful Static Icons?
It is important to note that Microsoft hasn’t updated the feature in Windows 10 in a long while. Hence the company could be working towards gradually reintroducing the Static Icons. Although yet to be officially confirmed by Microsoft, Windows 10 Start Menu could eventually get a cluster of colorful but inert or static icons representing their respective apps and games in the future.
According to rumors, Microsoft is planning to replace Live Tiles with Static Icons in a future update after Windows 10’s 20H2 release. The change should take place gradually over the current year. Windows 10 users might notice the big change only after Windows 10’s 2021 update since 20H2 is said to be a minor release. However, as Microsoft had indicated earlier, the changes could begin in the preview builds later this year.
Windows 10 Start Menu may lose its Live Tiles according to new report https://t.co/fe5hOfSbg9 pic.twitter.com/8LGOxAjI6O
— OnMSFT.com (@onmsft) February 26, 2020
The redesigned Windows 10 Start Menu would be designed similar to Windows 10X’s Start Menu. However, the UI would remain optimized for desktop usage. Windows 10X UI is specifically crafted for portable, dual-screen devices.
Microsoft has already started updating its Windows 10 apps with colorful icons ahead of the new Start Menu update. The change should be quite well received simply because the majority of users have indicated that they do not actively engage with or rely on Live Tiles in the Windows 10 Start Menu to receive information.
Many Windows Insider Preview or Fast Ring members may have already received a glimpse of Windows 10 Start Menu without Live Tiles. Microsoft had accidentally shipped a Windows 10 preview build that came with a redesigned Start Menu with no Live Tiles last year, before hastily retracting the same.
