Microsoft testing new UI changes for Windows 11 taskbar alongside widgets

American tech giant Microsoft has started experimenting with new UI changes to the Windows 11 taskbar, bringing back the familiar search bar from Windows 10, alongside notification badges for the Widgets section in Windows 11.

The operating system currently ships with a search button on the taskbar, which can be disabled and only shows the search logo. Microsoft is now testing three different search taskbar visual changes, according to The Verge.

One experiment is the usual search icon, while two others include a small or large search bar in the taskbar.

Microsoft is looking for feedback on the changes before they're rolled out more broadly, and the tests are part of Microsoft's new experimental Windows 11 features, which does mean they might not ship, reported The Verge.

After bringing back the Weather widget to the taskbar in Windows 11 recently, Microsoft is now testing adding notification badges.

The notifications are designed for content like breaking news and look similar to the badges you'd find in the Action Center on the right-hand side of the taskbar.

Apart from that, Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel will also be able to start testing a new Camera app for Windows 11. The design has been updated to match Windows 11, and it now includes QR and barcode scanning support, as per The Verge.