The Definitive Guide: How to Force Enable the New Start Menu in Windows 11
Windows 11’s Start menu has never strayed far from the spotlight—sometimes for its charm, often for the storms stirred up in the user community. As the centerpiece of desktop navigation, every tweak ignites passionate debate: innovation for some, inconvenience for others. The past year saw Microsoft attempting to refine its Start menu formula, striving for that delicate sweet spot of form, function, and familiarity. With new layouts rolling out—hidden behind experimental flags in insider builds—a fresh wave of user curiosity is building. Ready to transform your Start menu experience? Dive deep into tips, techniques, and a bit of clever tweaking to unlock these hidden features before they go mainstream.The Legacy of the Start Menu: From Classic to Controversial
The Start menu’s journey is a rollercoaster of design ambitions and user backlash. In Windows 10, the Start menu hailed a return to tradition after the touchscreen-focused experiment of Windows 8. Windows 11, however, took a leap—centering the menu, rounding corners, and, controversially, decoupling “All apps” from the main pane. The addition of a “Recommended” section further polarized opinion, with many pining for a more efficient use of space and clearer organization.These changes, intended to streamline, actually ignited fervent debate. Reddit threads and forums buzzed with complaints about wasted space and unnecessary navigation layers. Calls for customization grew louder, signaling a mismatch between Microsoft’s design philosophy and user desires. The company listened—sort of.
Inside Microsoft’s Experiment: New Layouts for the Start Menu
Determined not to leave the Start menu stuck in limbo, Microsoft cooks up new ideas in each Insider build. The latest intrigue? Two hidden layout options—Name Grid and Category—currently being quietly tested in the Beta channel. Unlike the old vertical scroller of “All apps,” these new versions prioritize space efficiency and at-a-glance organization. But they’re not enabled by default; instead, they lurk behind feature flags, accessible only with some precise tinkering.In the Name Grid mode, applications are organized in a clean, alphabetically sorted grid—cutting out endless scrolling and maximizing visual efficiency. Category mode goes further, clustering apps in logical, user-friendly groups that make sense whether you’re a casual user or a power multi-tasker. The goal is clear: minimize clutter, maximize control.
Prerequisites: Preparing Your PC for the Beta Adventure
Before embarking on this Start menu evolution, a few prerequisites need to be lined up. First, you’ll need a machine enrolled in the Windows Insider Beta channel. While this isn’t the most stable environment (bugs and glitches abound), it’s the only way to experience features before they hit the mainstream. Ensure all recent OS and Microsoft Store updates are applied—outdated systems often fail to activate hidden flags.Next, you’ll require a special utility: ViveTool. This third-party command-line app is widely respected in the tinkerer community for unlocking experimental Windows features buried in the code. Downloading and safely extracting ViveTool (typically to a C:\V folder for convenience) sets the stage for your menu metamorphosis.
The Step-by-Step Process: How to Force Enable the New Start Menu
Armed with updates and ViveTool, the magic can begin. The process involves activating a secret set of feature IDs lodged within the operating system—nothing risky, but best followed carefully.- Join the Insider Beta Channel:
Open your Settings app, head to Windows Update, then select Windows Insider Program. Join the Beta Channel, link your Microsoft account, and reboot to install the necessary update baggage. - Acquire and Extract ViveTool:
Find ViveTool on GitHub. Download the ZIP, extract it to a dedicated location (C:\V for simplicity's sake). - Open an Admin Command Prompt:
Search for “cmd” in Start, right-click, and select “Run as administrator” to avoid permissions errors. - Navigate to ViveTool:
In your admin prompt, run:
cd C:\V - Enable Experimental Features:
Enter this powerhouse command:
vivetool /enable /id:9221331,47205210,49402389,48433719
Hit Enter. You’re flipping the switches for the new layouts and supporting UI changes. - Restart Your Computer:
Changes only kick in after a reboot. Take a moment, then prepare to explore the new Start menu terrain.
/enable with /disable for the same feature IDs, then reboot.Exploring the New Start Menu: First Impressions and Features
Upon arrival, the differences—though subtle at first—quickly reveal themselves. The Start menu appears slightly taller and more condensed; Microsoft wants everything more accessible at a glance. Gone is the expansive gap between pinned apps and the laboriously hidden “All apps” menu.The old “Pinned” section shrinks, and for those who resented the Recommended zone, there’s good news: you can now banish it, reclaiming precious screen estate for the apps you actually choose to use. Beneath the condensed pinned area, you’ll find the newly dubbed “All” section, which replaces the old “All apps” label with a more streamlined approach to browsing your software roster.
The Grid Layout: Efficiency Meets Minimalism
Switch to the Name Grid layout by clicking the View option. Instantly, your Start menu transforms into a rigorously organized, alphabetical grid. No more scrolling through a snaking vertical list; instead, each app is presented as a clickable tile, compactly arranged for rapid scanning.This layout is ideal for users with a moderate app library, who crave speed and order. The alphabetical logic is retained, but the visual noise is dialed right down. You’ll find yourself reaching your target app with barely a flick of the eyes—no wasted space, no more aimless hunt.
Category Layout: Order Out of Chaos
If your Start menu groans under the weight of dozens of installs, Category layout is your friend. With just a click, it sorts your applications into logical boxes by purpose or vendor—think Productivity, Entertainment, Internet, and more.Each box displays up to four key apps, with a nested mini-grid icon signaling further software is a click away. This prevents any single category from becoming a black hole, while keeping the menu’s footprint tight and readable. For power users, it’s a game-changer. Stop scrolling; start navigating by context.
Hovering over a category’s mini-grid reveals all included apps, tucked neatly out of sight until needed. It’s a smart compromise—one that shrinks cognitive load and brings order to even the largest app collections.
Caveats and Risks: The Insider Beta Experience
It wouldn’t be a Windows Insider feature without a few bumps in the road. Running Beta builds means subjecting yourself to occasional instability—crashes, weird UI flickers, or outright reverts can all occur. Furthermore, as these Start menu changes are still experimental, they may behave inconsistently or disappear entirely as Microsoft fine-tunes feedback.Another crucial point: once you taste Insider features, escaping the program isn’t always smooth. Switching back to stable releases can demand a full clean install, wiping apps and user files. Plan accordingly—back up data, and be ready to invest a few hours if you decide the Beta track isn’t for you.
Why It Matters: User Choice, Efficiency, and the Future of Windows 11
At their core, these evolving Start menu tweaks are about empowerment—letting users shape their interfaces according to work habits and personal taste. By providing options like Grid and Category layouts, Microsoft gradually relinquishes some control, trusting users to curate their space.For years, resourceful users have clamored for more customization, less wasted space, and sensible organization. While feature flags and command-line tools aren’t for everyone, their presence signals a shift in Microsoft’s approach: a willingness to listen, iterate, and potentially let the best ideas bubble up from power users and insiders.
The forced enablement of these layouts isn’t just a DIY hack—it’s a glimpse into a possible future where Windows bends more easily to the needs of each individual, rather than shoehorning everyone into a one-size-fits-all groove.
Looking Forward: What’s Next for the Start Menu?
Microsoft’s experiments are far from finished. Each new Insider build introduces or retires features based on data and feedback, meaning the Start menu may continue its metamorphosis. Whether Grid and Category layouts become permanent fixtures remains to be seen, but the broader takeaway is clear: adaptability is in, rigidity is out.Expect future updates to refine these layouts, iron out bugs, and possibly expand customization further—perhaps with color themes, transparency options, or even resizable menus. The feedback loop between Microsoft and its user base is more active than ever before, making the Start menu a living, evolving front door to Windows.
Final Thoughts: Taking Control of Your Windows 11 Experience
For those who want the best of both worlds—the cutting edge of UI innovation, with the fallback safety net of rollback options—forcing new Start menu features in Windows 11 is an enticing proposition. The procedure is surprisingly straightforward, requiring only a little curiosity, a dash of patience, and the right tools.By opting for Name Grid or Category layouts, you’ll enjoy a smoother, more logical approach to app navigation, shaking off some of Windows 11’s most commonly criticized design decisions. Just keep your wits about you: the path to Beta features is filled with both rewards and risks. Make backups. Read changelogs. And, most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment—after all, the future of the Start menu just might depend on it.
Source: YTECHB How to Force Enable New Start Menu in Windows 11
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