After 30 years, Microsoft is redesigning the Run dialog box on Windows 11 — now with an updated modern UI for the first time

Microsoft looks to be updating the Windows Run dialog box for the first time in 30 years. In the latest Windows preview builds, a new Run box UI has been discovered by @Phantomofearth on X, which features a modern interface design that matches Microsoft's current Fluent Design language and is more consistent with the rest of Windows 11.

The Run dialog box has been part of Windows for decades at this point, but it hasn't really been touched since Windows 95. That means it's been 30 years since the Windows Run dialog box received any love from Microsoft, making it well overdue for a refresh. This is an interface that power users will be very familiar with, and likely use every day via the Win+R keyboard shortcut.

Microsoft describes the new Run dialog box as the "Modern Run" interface, which is optional and can be toggled on or off via Windows Settings. That means if you don't like it, you can switch back to the older Run box interface if that's what you prefer. The company did just add dark mode to the classic Run dialog box, too.

The Modern Run box is a lot larger, which a larger text entry field and a recent commands list that appears above the text box. The new interface also shows app icons when it finds a match, which is a nice touch.

Unfortunately, the new Run box is still hidden in the latest preview builds, and hasn't yet been announced by Microsoft. That means it's not actually functional yet, but the company is actively working on it and it's something we'll likely see the company talk more about next year.

Microsoft rarely touches classic UI elements like this, so it's fascinating to see the company finally addressing some of these legacy interfaces that have been part of the product since the 90s or even earlier.

Recently, the company announced that it would be bringing dark mode to more classic UI surface such as those that appear in File Explorer. It does seem like Microsoft is once again interested in attending to the little details in Windows 11, something that I find to be a valuable part of making an OS feel cared for.

With the Run dialog being updated with modern visuals, it gives me hope that we might see other legacy areas of the OS updated with the same treatment. Might we see an updated File Properties window next, or an updated Registry Editor interface? One can certainly dream.

Follow Windows Central on Google News to keep our latest news, insights, and features at the top of your feeds!