Windows 11 Start Menu Redesign 2025: Smarter, More Customizable & Device-Integrated

Windows 11’s Start menu is undergoing its most significant transformation since the operating system’s launch, and for many users, this change can’t arrive soon enough. For years, Microsoft’s iconic Start menu functioned as the beating heart of the Windows experience—a gateway to productivity, personalization, and essential tools. Yet since Windows 11 debuted, the Start menu has been at the center of heated debates and, for some, outright disappointment, as longtime fans grew frustrated with missing features and controversial design choices. Now, with the next evolution of the Start menu rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel, Microsoft seems determined to address these criticisms and deliver a next-generation Start menu that not only feels more intuitive, but smarter, more customizable, and better integrated with the devices and services that define modern digital life.

A Start Menu Reimagined for 2025​

For those familiar with previous Windows releases, the trajectory of the Start menu has often paralleled broader trends in interface design—from Windows 7’s highly functional, nested menus, to Windows 8’s polarizing full-screen Live Tiles, and finally, to Windows 10’s hybrid compromise. Windows 11’s initial approach, launched in 2021, attempted to simplify things: centering the Start menu, emphasizing pinned apps with static icons, and relegating recommendations to a discrete but persistent lower section. However, the feedback was swift and often harsh. Enthusiasts of Live Tiles lamented their removal, while power users bemoaned lost flexibility and the inability to truly hide the “Recommended” section—even if its content could be limited, the section itself stubbornly remained.
The new Start menu overhaul, unveiled in a recent Windows Insider build and detailed by outlets like Windows Central, signals that Microsoft has been listening. This refresh brings both visual changes and substantial functional upgrades, blending lessons learned from the mobile world with users’ demands for agency and efficiency.

Category vs. Grid: Navigating Apps Your Way​

One of the most noticeable features of the revamped Start menu is the introduction of the “All” section as a focal point. In previous iterations, accessing a comprehensive list of installed apps required extra clicks and searching. Now, Windows 11 prominently surfaces the All Apps section, supporting two distinct viewing modes—“Category” and “Grid”—each catering to different usage patterns.

• Category View: This is the default. Apps are automatically grouped into logical categories such as Productivity, Entertainment, Utilities, and Education. The result is reminiscent of how many mobile platforms dynamically organize apps, making it much easier to locate tools in a crowded setup. This approach benefits users with extensive app libraries who might otherwise struggle to remember exact app names.
• Grid View: For users who prefer a more traditional, alphabetized experience, the Grid view organizes all apps in straightforward A-to-Z order. The real coup here lies in the menu’s new flexibility—thanks to an expanded size, more apps and categories are visible at a glance, reducing the need for scrolling and hunting.

By allowing users to easily toggle between these two views, Microsoft is directly addressing long-standing complaints about navigation friction and information overload.

Adaptive Design: Scaling for Every Screen​

One of the most impactful technical upgrades to the Start menu is its newfound adaptiveness. Windows 11 can now dynamically resize the Start menu to make the most of your available screen real estate, whether you’re running on a compact tablet or a cavernous ultrawide monitor.

• Adaptive Columns: The menu can now expand to accommodate up to eight columns of pinned apps, six recommendation slots, and four category columns, depending on your device's screen size.
• Responsive Sections: Both the Pinned and Recommended areas automatically adjust—growing when you have more pinned apps, or shrinking to free up space when you don’t. The experience feels far less cramped, especially for multitaskers and power users who rely on quick-launch functionality.

This level of responsiveness reflects a growing trend in OS design, aiming to bridge mobile, desktop, and hybrid use cases without forcing clumsy compromises.

Control Over Recommendations: At Last​

One of the biggest sources of frustration with the Windows 11 Start menu was the stubborn “Recommended” section. Serving up recently used files, suggested apps, and productivity recommendations, this section couldn’t be fully disabled—even if users turned off specific recommendation options, the empty space lingered. For those craving a minimal, focused launchpad, this was a dealbreaker.
Microsoft’s latest update finally addresses the issue: users can now turn off the Recommended section entirely, removing it from the Start menu’s layout. This overdue improvement closes a major feature gap and was publicly demonstrated by Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, whose hands-on preview of the new Start menu underscored just how liberating this change feels. While some users value recommendations for quick access and serendipitous discovery, those seeking absolute control and decluttered workspaces can finally tailor the menu to their tastes.

Cross-Device Power: Phone Link Deepens Integration​

The refreshed Start menu isn’t just about aesthetics or navigation; it also introduces meaningful new features, chief among them robust cross-device integration. Leveraging Microsoft’s “Phone Link” technology, Windows 11 can now surface content from your connected Android or iOS devices directly within the Start menu’s expanded sidebar.

• Sync Content: Users can pick up where they left off on their smartphones—whether that’s working on a document, reviewing a website, or managing notifications—all without breaking their stride at the PC.
• Availability Caveats: While most of Phone Link’s functionality is generally available, Microsoft notes that some regions (notably the European Economic Area) will gain access in a future update due to local compliance requirements.

This feature aligns with Microsoft’s vision for seamless experience across platforms, rivaling Apple’s well-regarded ecosystem integration. For professionals and students who juggle multiple devices throughout the day, this could tip the scales toward Windows as the most versatile productivity hub.

Customization and Accessibility: More Options for Everyone​

Another headline capability introduced is deeper customization, not just for the Start menu itself but the broader lock and widget experience.

• Customizable Lock Screen Widgets: Users can now choose which widgets appear on their lock screen, unlocking new ways to surface relevant information like calendar appointments, weather, and reminders without logging in.
• Responsive Pinned Apps: The number of pinned apps is no longer fixed; it expands and contracts gracefully, respecting each user’s preferences. Whether you want a minimalist setup or a dense grid of mission-critical tools, the Start menu adapts.
• Improved Touch Experience: With more mobile-inspired layouts and larger touch targets, the updated Start menu offers a smoother experience for tablet and convertible users, aligning Windows 11 more closely with the realities of today’s hybrid devices.

Sources like Microsoft’s Insider blogs, Windows Central, and hands-on YouTube demonstrations all corroborate these developments, with early testers praising the new Start menu’s flexibility—even as some express nostalgia for the kinetic flair of Live Tiles.

Notable Strengths: What the Redesign Gets Right​

It’s clear that this major Start menu update is about more than just catching up to lost features—it’s a product of introspection and user-driven evolution. The following strengths stand out:

• User-Centric Control: By letting users hide the recommended section, toggle between app views, and better manage how much content appears on-screen, Microsoft is restoring agency to its audience. This addresses one of the most consistent pain points associated with Windows 11’s original design.
• Seamless Multi-Device Flow: Cross-device Phone Link integration places Windows 11 at the forefront of hybrid productivity, giving it an edge over some macOS and Chromebook workflows in certain areas.
• Optimized for All Devices: Adaptive sizing, touch improvements, and logical grouping signal that Microsoft is fully embracing the diversity of the Windows PC ecosystem—from traditional desktops to touchscreen tablets.
• Reduced Visual Clutter: The new grid and category options, combined with smarter search and filtering, enable users to reduce noise without sacrificing discoverability. This minimalist ethos resonates with both consumer and professional audiences.

Potential Risks and Critical Caveats​

Despite these meaningful improvements, several potential risks and unanswered questions remain:

• Fragmentation Concerns: By offering two distinct ways to organize apps (“Category” vs. “Grid”), Microsoft introduces extra complexity—especially in corporate or shared device environments. It’s crucial that their approach to defaults and migration does not create new confusion for less tech-savvy users.
• Live Tile Legacy: For a vocal minority, no amount of categorization or sync power can replace the utility and dynamism of Live Tiles. While most reviewers acknowledge the practical gains, some still see the static, icon-based Start menu as a regression in expressiveness. Unless Microsoft builds in optional, glanceable widgets within the Start menu itself (beyond the lock screen), the nostalgia for animated info at-a-glance will linger.
• Performance and Resource Use: Expanding the Start menu to eight columns could, in principle, tax lower-powered hardware. Microsoft has not published exhaustive performance benchmarks, so some caution is warranted until more varied user testing data comes in.
• Regional Rollout Staggering: The staggered availability of certain features (like full Phone Link support in the EEA) risks an uneven rollout experience. As with all global software updates, users in some territories will need to wait longer—and there’s potential for confusion or inconsistent documentation during the transition.
• Potential for UI Overload: If all options are enabled, the expanded menu could overwhelm new users. Microsoft’s ongoing challenge is to surface powerful options in context, without burying essential features behind unfamiliar toggles or menus.

Most of these risks are neither new nor unique to Windows, but they are amplified by the sheer scope of the Windows user base and the passionate feedback loop that exists between Redmond and its customers.

How Does the Upgrade Compare to Competitors?​

In the context of the broader OS landscape, the Windows Start menu retains a unique place. Apple’s macOS Launchpad and Spotlight, Chrome OS’s app drawer, and most Linux desktop environments take different tacks—emphasizing search, swipeable grids, or deep customization. The new Windows 11 Start menu splits the difference: keeping powerful search and a robust grid, while adding in mobile-inspired categorization and device sync.
Industry analysts highlight that Microsoft’s solution, especially with cross-device sync, positions Windows 11 as a more open, interoperable platform compared to Apple’s walled-garden approach. Users who demand both flexibility and integration may find the Windows philosophy increasingly compelling, especially as cloud services and device interoperability become more central to daily computing.

What This Means for Windows Ecosystem and Future Development​

The reimagined Start menu is a bellwether for Microsoft’s Windows 11 strategy—balancing modern design sensibilities with legacy user expectations and the practical realities of a vast, heterogeneous install base. Features launched in the Dev Channel are typically subjected to months of feedback before mainstream release, and Microsoft’s Insider blog encourages all interested users to participate in testing and provide direction.
For IT departments, the shift offers both opportunities and challenges:

• Opportunities: More user choice, better device integration, streamlined app discovery, and a cleaner look-and-feel could reduce support tickets and improve end-user satisfaction.
• Challenges: Change management, especially in organizations with standardized images or strict policies, will become paramount. Documented group policy options and deployment documentation will be essential to a smooth transition.

It’s also notable that Microsoft continues to roll out related quality-of-life improvements in tandem, such as customizable lock screen widgets and deeper accessibility features. This holistic approach to user experience signals that the Start menu changes are just the tip of the iceberg—part of a broader push to make Windows 11 a true platform for hybrid work, learning, and play.

Conclusion: A Bright, If Imperfect, Future for Windows Navigation​

The Start menu’s new direction in Windows 11 stands as a case study in iterative design—proof that even the most iconic user interfaces must evolve in step with user habits and shifting paradigms. Microsoft’s willingness to restore user choice, streamline navigation, embrace touch and multi-device realities, and kill off longstanding annoyances marks a substantial step forward. Yet the balancing act between innovation and familiarity remains delicate, and the firm will need to remain responsive to diverse user needs, especially as businesses and consumers around the globe begin testing these changes at scale.
For now, the future looks bright: if you’ve ever wished for a Start menu that better fits your workflow, adapts to your device, and reflects your preferences, the latest Windows 11 update may be the most user-friendly iteration yet. But as always, the real story will play out not in Redmond boardrooms, but in the hands of millions of Windows users worldwide. As feedback trickles in from the Dev Channel, and as Microsoft iterates on its vision, the next generation of the Start menu may finally achieve what has eluded so many attempts before—a launchpad as personal and productive as Windows itself.

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Source: Windows Central Do you like the new Start menu on Windows 11?