Windows 11 has introduced a bucketload of changes to the user interface and usability experience of the operating system, from a novel new Search Menu to centered Taskbar icons.
But the notifications system is something that has not changed much.
Sure, there are visual touchups here and there to this key element of the OS, but things more or less remain the same. Toast notifications show up on Windows 11 PCs as before, and they are still displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen.
You know, quite like how things have been done in these parts of the woods.
As it turns out, however, not everyone is a fan of this approach.
A popular suggestion in the Feedback Hub calls for Redmond to move the notifications to the top right corner, just like others already do in their operating systems. And actually, how Microsoft originally planned to do so in Windows 8.
Now, unlike some Microsoft decisions, there is a fair bit of strategy behind this current approach.
Showing notifications on the lower right side of the screen is not only a familiar approach, but in theory, it is also the correct approach for touch-capable devices. Interacting with notifications is much easier if they pop up in the bottom right, especially when holding the screen in your hand.
In addition, there is the inevitable macOS comparison.
Windows controls are located in the top left corner of the screen on the Apple platform, while on the Microsoft OS, all of them are placed in the top right corner.
Showing notifications in the same place may not be the brightest of ideas. It would be too easy to close windows by mistake, simply because you wanted to react to a notification. Likewise, it may also result in tapping the wrong button when using touch.
What do you think?
All Comments
Bottom right causes interference with work. Particularly applications such as Teams where the send button is exactly where they pop-up and it obstructs text you may be typing. Tray icons also where you click, get a pop-up menu, but then a notification appears and blocks it.
Sure, it can obstruct other things if located elsewhere but bottom right is the most annoying for me.
As for touch. Windows is used with touch far less than Android / iOS. There are Windows tablets but it’s less common and even Windows 11 it’s not that touch friendly. I’ve got a laptop with touch screen but I barely use touch. I forget it’s even there.
Default bottom right is fine if it makes the most sense, but the location just needs to be configurable.