Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 11, has been criticized for its “ultra-nerfed taskbar,” which has frustrated users due to its lack of functionality. However, the Windows Insider Preview program has provided hopeful tidbits, suggesting that the taskbar is about to get more useful, streamlining Windows productivity in the process.

The first upgrade is a much-needed correction. Windows 10 offered a search bar within the taskbar, where users could type in a query and search with a simple click of the Enter button. However, Windows 11 replaced this with a search button that opens a separate pop-up window for search, making it cumbersome to find files. But in the latest Windows 11 Release Preview, a proper search bar has been placed back in the taskbar, which is enabled by default, saving users time.

The second upgrade could render the most common reason to open the Task Manager obsolete. A new taskbar feature discovered by internet detectives lets users forcibly end a task by simply right-clicking on its icon in the taskbar. This would be a massive quality of life upgrade, as users would no longer need to summon the Task Manager, find the troublesome app in the active Processes tab, click on it, and select End Task. However, the feature is currently hidden, and it remains to be seen if it will see the light of day.

While these upgrades won’t solve the controversial interface of the Windows 11 taskbar, they will save users time and make their everyday lives easier. Every second saved from needlessly tedious interfaces is a second that can be enjoyed, and these upgrades provide hope for the Windows 11 taskbar’s functionality.