Windows 10 had a feature called Jump Lists that allowed you to open recently used files directly from the Windows Start menu. For whatever reason, this time-saving shortcut was removed in Windows 11—but apparently Microsoft wants to correct that.
According to a Microsoft blog entry, the test version “Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3785” (also known as KB5039319) will have new features for Windows 11 version 23H2, including:
When you right-click on applications that are pinned to the Start menu, you’ll see jump lists for applications that have them, such as PowerPoint.
Windows 11 will show you files in the Start menu that you last opened with certain applications. The prerequisite for this is that the application (e.g., PowerPoint) needs to support Jump Lists.
How to test jump lists in Windows 11
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The final version of Windows 11 doesn’t yet provide Jump Lists. However, if you register as an Insider tester for preview versions of Windows 11, you can already test the returned Jump Lists feature.
To do this, register for the Insider program here (it’s free). Then, in Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and choose Beta Channel.
In addition to Jump Lists, KB5039319 also brings other improvements. Full details can be found in the Microsoft blog post.
