Microsoft Is Modernizing the Run Dialog Box on Windows 11

For the past 30 years, Windows’ Run dialog box has looked exactly the same. That look fit the theme of Windows 95, but the OS has gone through a lot of design changes in the years since—all without any changes to the Run dialog box itself. As such, any time you may hit Win + R to use this dialog box, you’ll notice it sticks out from the rest of Windows like a sore thumb.

That’s going to change in the near future. Testers have discovered that Microsoft is working on a new look for the Run dialog box. While the company will still use the old design by default, users will be able to dive into Settings > System > Advanced to find the new “Run dialog” toggle when Microsoft rolls out the changes.

So, what’s new? For starters, the Run box is now bigger than it was before. The text entry field is larger too, and the recent commands list appears above it. You’ll also notice app icons when the Run dialog box locates something you’re looking for—not unusual for a modern UI, but something you might not have expected to see when the previous Run dialog box was designed in the 90s.

With this new design, Microsoft is also giving the Run dialog box a dark theme for the first time in Windows history. If you like keeping your windows dark rather than light, the new Run dialog box will match that theme.

This function isn’t actually live yet, unfortunately, as Microsoft is currently developing it. The new Run dialog box is expected to launch with a future Windows 11 update sometime in early 2026.