Ahead of Microsoft's event to unveil the next gen of Windows, a Windows 11 build leaks, showing a revamped UI, like a new taskbar with centered app icons, more

Screenshots have leaked online — Screenshots of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 11 operating system have appeared online today.

The Verge 2021-06-16 Tom Warren

Context & Ripple Effects

The leak surfaced before Microsoft’s formal reveal, but the subsequent Windows 11 announcement confirmed that the redesign extended beyond centered taskbar icons to the Start menu, Store, and Teams integration. The screenshots therefore exposed the visual direction of a broader Windows update ahead of Microsoft’s planned presentation.

Later coverage shows the redesign becoming an iterative product program: an early preview highlighted Snap Layouts and Snap Groups, while the released version drew criticism for missing promised features and taskbar trade-offs before further preview builds added Start-menu and accessibility changes.

First-order effects

Microsoft loses exclusive control over the first public look at Windows 11’s redesigned taskbar and interface ahead of its event.
Windows users and developers can assess the new interface before Microsoft explains the accompanying Store, Start-menu, and Teams changes.

Second-order effects

Microsoft’s reveal must shift from demonstrating a surprise visual refresh to explaining how the redesigned shell and multitasking features improve day-to-day Windows use.
The leak raises the bar for the new taskbar and Start menu, whose limitations later became a focal point in the released-version review.

Third-order effects

Windows 11’s rollout points to a more continuous operating-system model: a headline redesign establishes the platform, then preview builds refine key interface and accessibility controls after launch.
As interface changes become the visible vehicle for Store, communications, and productivity features, Microsoft’s ability to evolve Windows depends on balancing platform integration against established user workflows.

The trend: Windows is shifting from infrequent, self-contained releases toward a flagship redesign followed by public-preview iteration and post-launch feature correction.

Discussion

@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
here's a first look at Windows 11. There's a new Start menu, rounded corners, a new startup sound, and more https://t.co/VDS08QPsl5 https://t.co/OkCyX3TtmI
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
don't worry, all the old Windows stuff is still there in Windows 11 🙃https://www.theverge.com/ ... https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
and yes, the Control Panel still exists https://twitter.com/...
@zeealeid @zeealeid on x
Since this is still an early build and doesn't have all of the features enabled, I wouldn't judge it too much. But I'm really liking the new redesigned stuff, though I'm not a fan of those start, search, task view etc... icons Anyways, I'm really excited for the final release!! h…
@mattgemmell Matt Gemmell on x
What a gigantic surprise for everyone that there's a setting to second guess the changes they made. https://twitter.com/...
@leaksapplepro @leaksapplepro on x
Glad I bought a Mac. This is ugly. https://twitter.com/...
@_troilface Cats on x
widows 10 fanbase... its over https://twitter.com/...
@deliciousbees Dan on x
The Start button in the bottom left was put there to take advantage of Fitts' Law - you can just slam your mouse in that direction and never have to mentally acquire the button with your cursor. Losing that in a mouse-driven Windows release is a crime. https://twitter.com/...
@thetacticalbrit @thetacticalbrit on x
I for one can't wait for more important info buried in sub menus and all my software not working https://twitter.com/...
@dm4uz3 Dmfour on x
i hope they name it something ridiculous like Windows 10 2 https://twitter.com/...
@snazzyq Quinn Nelson on x
My excitement for Windows 11 has been, uh, well... this looks like Windows 10 but slightly worse. The Mac continues to look more and more appealing to more people. Nice. https://twitter.com/...
@soywife Emily Spora on x
so now in addition to looking like shit it looks like a smartphone https://twitter.com/...
@smilingnodding @smilingnodding on x
it's so cool that windows is taking a suite of DRM and data surveillance software, slapping a new startup sound and centered taskbar on it and selling it as a new OS https://twitter.com/...
@nickheer Nick Heer on x
Ah, centred application icons across the bottom. A place to, let's say, “dock” the apps you use most often. Interesting concept. https://twitter.com/...
@omegacreeper @omegacreeper on x
I like the taskbar centered but I much prefer the start icon being on the left https://twitter.com/...
@nathanblawrence Nathan Lawrence on x
I don't get it. Why does this keep happening? There's this strange gulf between the internal goals of projects like this at Microsoft and the needs of users — which are just a simple, stable, consistent OS to help get things done. https://twitter.com/...
@cassidyjames Cassidy James Blaede on x
I thought Microsoft had said that Windows 10 was the last version of Windows? I guess since macOS finally broke the version 11 barrier, Microsoft needed to follow... https://twitter.com/...
@jorilallo Jori Lallo on x
The amount of different UI styles Microsoft is able include in Windows is astonishing https://twitter.com/...
@stroughtonsmith Steve Troughton-Smith on x
Choose your edition https://twitter.com/...
@yabhishekhd Abhishek Yadav on x
Microsoft Windows 11 first look 😍 Source:https://tieba.baidu.com/ ... #Windows11 #microsoftwindows11 #MicrosoftWindows11 #MicrosoftEvent https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
This is Windows 11. Screenshots of Microsoft's next operating system have leaked online today, showing off the new Start menu, Start button, and more. Details here: https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Microsoft to end Windows 10 support on October 14th, 2025. We'll find out what will replace it next week. Details: https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...

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