Unlike Windows 10, Windows 11 has a new, modern “smooth scrollbar” that changes shape as the user interacts with it. Smooth scrollbars are dynamic, they scale automatically on different form factors or when you change the size of the window, it’s currently used in apps like settings, media players, etc.
Google’s browser may soon have smooth scroll bars, according to a new proposal from Microsoft. In a proposal, Microsoft said they wanted to modernize the old scrollbars in Chrome to align Google with Windows 11 design standards.
The proposal aims to modernize Chromium’s scrollbars to fit into Windows 11’s fluid design language. In addition, Microsoft is also considering some visual changes to the way users interact with scroll bars in Chrome, with different modes. Among them, the minimalist mode will be the default design of the scroll bar. A scrollbar in full mode is when the cursor is over the scrollbar area, all sections are drawn.
This is a new feature, the scrollbar will fade out completely and may not be able to find the exact position on the page. Google has raised concerns about the hidden mode, and Microsoft says it’s actively exploring a better way to handle the visual improvements. To better understand the differences, here’s a comparison of the new scrollbars in Microsoft Edge and the classic scrollbars in Chrome.
Microsoft also notes that “Hidden Mode” can be bypassed with Windows 11’s native solution, “Always On Scrollbars.” As with macOS, it’s possible to “Always show scroll bars” from Settings -> Accessibility -> Visual Effects. The new scroll bar will be applied to the local settings. When this feature is enabled, scrollbars will be drawn in “full mode”. Under this OS setting, scrollbars will take up layout space.
Microsoft’s proposed scroll bar will behave more like an overlay scroll bar. They will be thinner, with inset and rounded edges. If Google developers reject overlay scrollbars, Microsoft also plans to redesign non-overlay scrollbars to modernize Chrome on Windows 11. Microsoft has been considering this feature for Chromium-based web browsers since January 2022.