“Mastering the New Windows 11 Start Menu: A Step-by-Step Guide”

Windows 11 is introducing a significant redesign of the Start menu, set to be released to all users during the November 11 Patch Tuesday update.

The revamped Start menu now features a scrollable design, allowing users to navigate through their apps seamlessly in one location.

With the new design, the “All” section is prominently displayed on the main screen, eliminating the need to switch to a separate page.

Previously, users had to click on “All apps” to access the list of installed applications. Now, the “All” section is conveniently located on the homepage.

The Start menu offers two UI options for the All apps list

By default, Microsoft has implemented a categorized view that groups apps by type, prioritizing frequently used apps within each group.

Categories are generated locally and managed through a local JSON file. A category is formed when it contains at least three apps, with smaller groups being labeled as “Other.”

In addition to the categorized view, there is a grid view that maintains the traditional A to Z app order but offers a wider layout for enhanced app visibility.

Windows now remembers the last-used view preference, defaulting to the categorized view post-update unless manually changed.

The adaptive nature of the new Start menu UI

The Start menu dynamically adjusts its size to fit the screen, displaying a larger menu by default on larger screens. This configuration accommodates up to eight columns of pinned apps, six recommendations, and four columns in the “All” categories on larger screens.

On smaller screens, the layout features six columns of pinned apps, four recommendations, and three columns in the “All” categories. Furthermore, if only a few apps are pinned, the Pinned area condenses to a single row.

Customizing the Start menu experience

To tailor the Start menu to your preferences, users can disable the Recommended feed by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggling off options such as recently added apps, recommended files, websites from history, and tips.

When recommendations are disabled, the section automatically hides to prioritize the display of installed apps.

Enhancements and future improvements

The new Start menu presents a significant improvement, offering a more efficient user experience. However, some users may encounter issues with the menu occupying a substantial portion of the screen on lower-resolution PCs.

To address this, adjusting the scale settings under Settings > System > Display is recommended. Additionally, allowing users to create custom categories could further enhance the Start menu’s functionality.

Accessing the new Start menu

The updated Start menu will be progressively rolled out starting with the November 2025 Patch Tuesday. The new Start UI is integrated into Build 26200.7019 and 26100.7019 or later versions, although it requires manual activation.

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