Overview

With the introduction of the new Windows 11 OS, we set out to rebuild all the legacy surfaces on Windows that still remain unchanged since Windows 95 which cause confusion and frustration.

Challenge

How to improve user perception of Windows 11?

Goal

Addressing visual inconsistencies of Windows surfaces that use legacy layouts causing inconsistent, confusing, and displeasing user experiences.

Impact

• With the redesign, we were able to increased net satisfaction score by +17.5 (Legacy app picker score of 119 went up to 136.5 for the modern app picker)

• We recieved positive sentiments for App picker and Installed Apps settings page on social media and online forums. Tom Warren highlighted the attention to detail in modern experiences.

PROJECT I 

“Open With” Flyout

Our project was to align the “Open With” flyout with the modern Windows 11 design principles. The updated flyout honors both light/dark themes and also simplifies the experience of modifying your default app with just one click.

🌐 How the Internet responded…

PROJECT II

Apps & Features (Control Panel)

The project was to migrate high MAD legacy settings from Control Panel into the modern Windows 11 Settings app. We started with migrating and subsequently redirecting users from the Apps & Features page within Control Panel to “Installed apps” in Settings app.

To achieve functional parity between these two apps, we added new features to the Installed App page such as filter by, sort by, and search. We also introduced THREE new layout options that lets users view their apps either as a List, Compact tiles or Grid Cards.

🌐 How the Internet responded…