According to the latest update, to that end, the publisher has now replaced old system elements dating back to the Windows 95 era, according to preview leaks. Microsoft is always working to modernize Windows 11’s look.

In a fresh development, among them is a fresh File Explorer properties dialog box, for which the underlying code hasn’t changed much over the past few decades. In a Bluesky post, well-known Windows leaker PhantomOfEarth unveiled a number of fresh functions in the most recent Windows 11 preview builds.

The report highlights that a modern version of the Properties UI is hidden in Experimental build 26300.8935, currently only for the deleted files dialog with more to come. So nice to see after all these years! 🥳. Windows 11's File Properties sheets are finally getting some WinUI + dark mode love!

According to the latest update, some of these date back to the days of Windows 8, while others go as far back as Windows 95. The fresh modern versions are set to be based entirely on WinUI 3, Microsoft’s current framework for the Windows 11 user interface. Microsoft has already confirmed that all outdated dialog boxes are to be replaced with modern versions.

The report highlights that this is likely to have a significant impact on the look and feel of Windows 11 and ensure that fewer “relics of the past” bleed through. Microsoft is evidently planning to remove several classic elements from the Windows operating system and replace them with newer takes.

The report highlights that since Windows 11 is a legacy operating system and consists largely of old code that has never been truly replaced, it’s much harder to modernize the entire package—at least not without compromising the UI, weakening performance, or introducing bugs. Unfortunately, Microsoft keeps coming up against a self-made obstacle in this endeavor.

As part of the ongoing story, that could include 7-Zip, Dropbox, codec packs, antivirus programs, and so on. Modernizing even a small part of Windows, such as the Properties dialog box, can result in unintended effects… like third-party applications no longer working properly.

According to the latest update, however, the advantages of modern WinUI 3 elements outweigh the drawbacks. If implemented properly, the fresh modern elements will start up more quickly and cause fewer problems. Replacing old parts of Windows with fresh elements is therefore a laborious task.

Industry observers note that apparently, you can already enable and try out the modernized Run dialog under Settings → Advanced settings. The Windows Run dialog is also set to be replaced by a modern version—not just a visual change but also offering fresh functions.

The report highlights that it’s said to be faster and also offer context-sensitive suggestions and quick access to your home directory. Once toggled, you can open the Run dialog using the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.

Industry observers note that to learn more, see our comparison of Windows 11 Home and Pro. If you want to upgrade, snag it for cheap in the PCWorld Applications Store: now just $59 instead of $99. By the way: If you’re using Windows 11 Home, you’re missing out on the many benefits of Windows 11 Pro.

In a fresh development, this article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.

The report highlights that after studying communication science, she went straight into a job at PCMagazin and Connect Living. Since then, she has been writing about everything to do with PCs and technology topics, and has been a permanent editor at our German sister site PC-WELT since May 2024. Laura is an enthusiastic gamer as well as a movie and TV fan.