Windows 11 to Offer Greater Control Over On-Screen Displays for Brightness and Volume

Microsoft is set to introduce a highly anticipated feature in Windows 11, allowing users to customize the on-screen display (OSD) positions for the brightness and volume indicators. This update, currently in testing with Windows Insiders, directly addresses user feedback and aims to enhance the overall user experience by offering more flexibility.

The new functionality will enable users to move the hardware indicators for brightness, volume, airplane mode, and virtual desktops to different locations on the screen. Previously, these indicators were locked to the bottom center of the screen, a design choice that some users found obtrusive, particularly when it obscured subtitles or other content during media playback.

With the upcoming change, users will be able to choose from three positions for these on-screen indicators: the default bottom center, top left, or top center. This customization option will be accessible through the Settings app by navigating to System > Notifications. A new dropdown menu titled "Position of the onscreen pop-up" will allow users to select their preferred location. It's important to note that both the brightness and volume indicators will move together to the selected position.

This move is a direct response to user feedback, with some reporting that the bottom-center placement was inconveniently covered by their hands when using keyboard shortcuts. By providing the ability to relocate these indicators, Microsoft is aiming to improve usability and address these practical concerns.

A Modernized Interface

This update is part of Microsoft's broader effort to modernize the Windows interface. Earlier, in Build 22533, the company had already redesigned the hardware indicators for brightness, volume, camera privacy, camera on/off, and airplane mode to align with the visual style of Windows 11. These redesigned flyouts, which support both light and dark modes, are interactive, allowing for direct adjustments from the OSD.

Availability

The customizable OSD position feature is currently being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Beta (build 26120.4452) and Dev (build 26200.5661) channels. For those eager to try the feature before its official release, it can be enabled using the ViveTool command-line utility.

The feature is expected to be made available to the general public as part of the Windows 11 24H2 update. While this enhancement focuses on user interface customization, Microsoft is also testing other new features, such as a revamped and more personalized homepage for the Recall feature on Copilot+ PCs.