Windows 11’s New Start Menu Is a Big Upgrade — Here’s What’s New
Microsoft is giving the Start menu in Windows 11 a major refresh. The redesigned menu looks cleaner, easier to use, and more customizable. If you’ve updated to the latest version, you’ll notice several useful changes that make navigation faster and more intuitive.
Here’s a quick look at what’s new and how it improves your experience.
A More Unified Layout
In earlier versions, the Start menu had separate sections — Pinned, Recommended, and All apps. Now, everything feels more connected.
You can scroll smoothly through your apps, recommendations, and shortcuts in one continuous view. No more switching between tabs or sections — it’s all right there.
Customizable App Views
The new Start menu lets you control how your apps appear. You can switch between:
- List view – shows apps in a simple, scrollable list.
- Grid view – displays app icons in a grid for quick access.
- Category view – automatically groups apps by type, like “Productivity,” “Games,” or “Communication.”
This makes it easier to find what you need, especially if you have lots of apps installed.
Smarter Recommendations
Microsoft has improved the Recommended section. You now have more control over what shows up there.
You can turn off recently added apps, suggested files, or websites you don’t want to see. Go to Settings → Personalization → Start to adjust what’s displayed.
This keeps your Start menu clean and focused on what you actually use.
Easier Access to Pinned Apps
Pinned apps are now more flexible. You can choose to always show them fully expanded — no more clicking “More” to see the rest.
If you rely on pinned apps daily, this small change saves time and makes the Start menu feel more responsive.
Adapts to Your Screen Size
The new design automatically adjusts based on your display.
On smaller laptops, it stays compact. On larger monitors, it expands to show more apps and content without wasting space.
This scaling makes Windows 11 feel more consistent across different devices.
Phone Link Integration
A new sidebar ties directly into Phone Link, giving quick access to your Android phone’s messages, calls, and files.
If you often switch between your PC and phone, this integration makes it easier to stay connected without constantly picking up your device.
Gradual Rollout and Early Bugs
Not everyone will see the new Start menu right away. Microsoft is rolling it out gradually as part of Windows 11 updates (version 24H2 and 25H2).
Some users may notice small bugs — for example, layout resets after reboot, or app categories not showing correctly. These should be fixed in future updates.
If you’re eager to test it early, you can enable it using Insider builds or tools like ViveTool (for advanced users).
Final Thoughts
The redesigned Start menu in Windows 11 isn’t just cosmetic — it’s smarter, cleaner, and more flexible. You get more control over what appears, faster access to your apps, and better organization overall.
It’s a welcome upgrade that finally makes the Start menu feel modern and efficient again.
