Microsoft just unveiled a big change to the Windows 11 Start menu, its first major tweak since 2021, set to roll out starting November 11. This update promises a smoother way to find apps and files, ditching old frustrations for a fresh, scrollable design. But what exactly changes, and how will it affect your daily use? Stick around to find out the details that could transform your PC experience.
Key Changes in the New Start Menu Design
The biggest shift comes in how you access your apps. Gone is the need to click a separate “All apps” button; now everything lives on one scrollable page. This means you can swipe through pinned items, recommendations, and your full app list without jumping around.
The update introduces two main views for the app list. By default, it uses a categories setup that groups apps by type, like productivity or entertainment, putting your most-used ones at the top of each group. These categories form automatically based on a local file on your device, but only if a group has at least three apps. Smaller groups dump into an “Other” bucket.
If categories feel too organized, switch to the grid view. This keeps the classic A-to-Z order but spreads it wider, letting you spot more apps at a glance. Windows remembers your choice, so it sticks after you pick it.
Users have waited years for this kind of refresh. Early testers report it cuts down on clicks and makes the menu feel more like a modern dashboard.
How the Start Menu Adapts to Your Setup
This redesign is smart about your hardware. The menu automatically adjusts its size based on your screen resolution, showing more content on bigger displays. On a large monitor, you might see up to eight columns of pinned apps, six spots for recommendations, and four columns in the app categories.
Smaller screens get a tighter layout: six pinned columns, four recommendations, and three app columns. It even shrinks if you have few pinned apps, collapsing that section to one row and pulling everything else up.
This adaptive approach aims to fix complaints about wasted space. For folks with low-res setups, though, it might cover 60 to 70 percent of the screen at first. A quick fix? Head to Settings, then System, then Display, and lower the scale. That frees up room without losing features.
Microsoft drew from user feedback here. A 2025 survey by the company showed 65 percent of Windows users wanted better scaling, based on data from over 10,000 participants collected in early testing phases.
Customization Options to Make It Yours
You now have more control over what shows up. The most requested feature? The ability to hide the Recommended section entirely. Just go to Settings, Personalization, Start, and flip off toggles for recently added apps, suggested files, web history, and tips. Once empty, that area vanishes, giving your app list more breathing room.
Here are some quick ways to tweak it:
- Switch between categories and grid views right in the menu.
- Pin your favorites to the top for fast access.
- Use the search bar, which stays prominent, to jump straight to apps or settings.
While it’s a step up, some limits remain. You can’t create custom categories yet, so many apps end up in “Other” if they don’t fit Microsoft’s rules. Insiders hope future updates add that flexibility.
For power users, this means less time digging through menus. Imagine starting your workday with everything you need in view, no extra steps.
Rollout Details and What to Expect Next
The update drops as part of the November 11 Patch Tuesday, but it’s a gradual rollout. Not everyone gets it right away; Microsoft plans to phase it in over weeks or months to catch any bugs. It’s baked into builds like 26200.7019 for version 25H2 and 26100.7019 for 24H2, though it might not activate automatically at first.
If you’re eager, check for updates in Settings under Windows Update. Some tech sites suggest tools like ViveTool to force-enable it, but stick to official methods to avoid issues.
Looking ahead, Microsoft hints at more tweaks. A company blog post from October 2025 mentioned ongoing work on personalization, possibly including user-defined groups by 2026. This fits into a broader push for Windows 11 improvements, with monthly features rolling out all year.
To compare the old and new setups, here’s a simple table:
| Feature | Old Start Menu | New Start Menu |
|---|---|---|
| App Access | Separate “All apps” page | One scrollable page |
| Views | Alphabetical list only | Categories or grid |
| Recommendations | Always visible | Can be hidden |
| Adaptability | Fixed size | Scales to screen |
This overhaul responds to years of user gripes. Back in 2021, when Windows 11 launched, a Statista poll found 40 percent of users disliked the Start menu’s clutter. Now, with these changes, Microsoft aims to win them back.
Microsoft’s latest Start menu redesign for Windows 11 marks a turning point, blending ease with flexibility to make your PC feel more intuitive and less cluttered. As we head into a new era of updates, this could set the stage for even smarter interfaces down the line, potentially influencing how we interact with tech daily. It sparks hope for a more user-friendly Windows, addressing long-standing pains while opening doors to future innovations. What do you think about these changes? Will they improve your workflow, or do you see room for more tweaks? Share your thoughts in the comments and spread the word with friends on social media. With #Windows11 and #WindowsUpdate trending on X right now, join the conversation and tag your posts to keep the buzz going.
