Windows 11’s hidden modern Run dialog (Win+R) gets a slimmer design, but it’s still not rolling out
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Microsoft is testing a modern version of the Windows Run dialog with a slimmer design, featuring a new 'Run' icon and centered text field. The updated dialog is optional and can be enabled through Advanced Settings in Windows Settings. The legacy Run dialog has not been updated in decades, but Microsoft is refining the UI before a public rollout. The modern Run dialog supports dark mode and is closer to a floating search bar.
💡 Why It Matters
- · This is a small change with a familiar pattern — Microsoft quietly modernizing decades-old UI elements without forcing the transition.
- · The Run dialog's optional redesign reflects the same cautious approach seen across Windows 11, where legacy interfaces are updated gradually to avoid alienating power users dependent on muscle memory.