Microsoft is finally addressing the UI inconsistencies in Windows 11, which currently features a mix of design elements from various Windows eras, starting from Windows 7 to the modern design language. According to the latest preview build of Windows 11, the File Properties window within File Explorer is getting an update with the WinUI 3 framework to better align with the rest of the Windows 11 operating system. This change was first noticed by Phantomofearth on BlueSky, who documented a new framework update in this decades-old Windows component. Until now, Microsoft had not prioritized updating these smaller UI elements, leading to a patchwork of inconsistencies across Windows versions. The company had only given cosmetic upgrades to the main applications, leaving these smaller elements unchanged.

Currently, the Windows 11 OS is a mix of legacy Microsoft frameworks for the user interface. This mishmash of UIs has resulted in significant inconsistency, with users encountering non-uniform interfaces from the Windows 7 era in daily operations. This mix includes web-based WebView2, React, and others. Microsoft plans to transition its entire user experience to the desktop-only WinUI 3 framework, which will reduce application latency, improve user experience, and create a noticeably smoother feel. The company is making progress in replacing all frameworks that don't fit a uniform desktop, and we are beginning to see the effects of this effort. Soon, all desktop elements will run on WinUI 3 for the first time since the launch of Windows 11 in late 2021. It has taken several years, but Microsoft couldn't port legacy code without encountering many issues.