The Windows Start menu has remained at the heart of the user experience since its debut in Windows 95, but its evolution has not always been universally celebrated. When Windows 11 arrived, many long-time fans bemoaned changes that seemed to favor form over function: cramped app layouts, cumbersome navigation, and a controversial relegation of customization options. The resulting backlash was hard to ignore, prompting a wave of third-party tools—like Start11, StartAllBack, and Open Shell—that promised to deliver the flexibility Microsoft seemed to have abandoned. Now, with the latest Insider builds, Microsoft has taken its critics seriously, unveiling an overhauled Windows 11 Start menu that aims to deliver on long-standing user demands while laying the groundwork for a more flexible, modern desktop.
The revamped Start menu, now rolling out to participants in the Windows Insider Program’s Dev Channel, represents Microsoft’s most significant attempt yet to address user feedback. The redesign injects a series of quality-of-life enhancements, all seeking to make the Start menu both more intuitive and more powerful. Though still in preview, these changes are already fueling animated debate and cautious optimism among testers.
While the feature is rolling out to most markets, Microsoft notes that it will arrive in the European Economic Area a bit later. The underlying goal is clear: further reduce the friction between PC and mobile workflows—something that both Apple and Google have chased in their respective ecosystems.
For those unwilling to risk their main PC, it’s advisable to try the update in a virtual machine or secondary system. The broader rollout to regular (stable) Windows 11 users is expected later this year, though Microsoft hasn’t committed to a specific date at the time of writing. Based on previous feature timelines, both Web and file search corroborate that major feature updates often reach general availability within a few months of Insider previews, once stability is assured.
Discussions on Windows enthusiast forums reflect both excitement and skepticism. Many power users see the revamp as overdue, while others remain unmoved without deeper customization—pointing to Start11’s and Open Shell’s ability to resurrect the beloved Windows 7 Start menu. Papering over past frustrations, it’s evident Microsoft still walks a delicate line between innovation and tradition.
This table highlights an important trend: Microsoft’s revamp closes much of the functional gap, though super-users still find value in the exhaustive controls and classic emulation offered by paid or open-source alternatives.
For the average user, the redesign offers a streamlined, visually pleasing, and deeply practical approach to app management. Power users and nostalgia buffs may still gravitate toward third-party solutions, but the gap is closing fast. As always, the true test will come when these features hit the mainstream and are exposed to the creative (and critical) scrutiny of millions. For now, the future of the Windows Start menu looks brighter—and friendlier—than it has in years.
Source: ZDNet You can try Windows 11's newest Start menu now - here's how
A New Start: Windows 11 Start Menu Redesign
The revamped Start menu, now rolling out to participants in the Windows Insider Program’s Dev Channel, represents Microsoft’s most significant attempt yet to address user feedback. The redesign injects a series of quality-of-life enhancements, all seeking to make the Start menu both more intuitive and more powerful. Though still in preview, these changes are already fueling animated debate and cautious optimism among testers.Why Change Was Needed
For many, the original Windows 11 Start menu fell short of even the most basic expectations set by its predecessors. Criticisms centered on several pain points:- Limited App Visibility: Nearly half the menu’s screen real estate was devoted to “Recommended” files and apps, leaving a truncated space for pinned and all apps.
- Overcomplicated Access to All Apps: Accessing the full list of installed applications required navigating away from the main view, an added step compared to Windows 10’s all-in-one scrolling list.
- Lack of Customization: The inability to easily resize the menu, rearrange elements, or leverage folders and categories left power users dissatisfied.
Key Features of the New Start Menu
The new Start menu overhaul introduces several practical, user-focused improvements. Here’s what testers get in the Insider build, and what the broader user base can expect:Unified App Browsing
One of the most persistent gripes about the old menu was the separation of pinned and “All Apps” into distinct screens. The 2024 redesign addresses this head-on: clicking the new “All” button now expands a section within the Start menu itself, allowing users to scroll through all installed apps without leaving the primary interface. This minimizes disruptive context shifts—a subtle but meaningful boost to workflow efficiency.App Organization: Grid and Category Views
Recognizing that not all users prefer the same organizational scheme, Microsoft now offers two distinct views for navigating apps:- Grid View: This option displays all apps and folders alphabetically, reminiscent of the legacy approach seen in prior versions of Windows. For users habituated to this format, it’s a welcomed return to form.
- Category View: Here, Windows takes a cue from mobile operating systems—most notably Apple’s App Library on iOS. Related apps are grouped into categories automatically (e.g., Productivity, Games, Utilities), as long as at least three related items exist. Any stragglers or lone apps are relegated to an “Other” category. Windows also surfaces your most frequently used categories and apps near the top, facilitating rapid access to what matters most.
Smarter Use of Screen Space
The prior Start menu design wasted valuable space, frustrating those who juggle large numbers of apps or seek fast access to their most-used tools. The new menu dynamically adapts to your device’s screen size. Small PC screens show six columns of pinned apps and three columns of categories; larger monitors get eight and four, respectively. This isn’t just a static grid: each section—pinned, recommended, categories—automatically resizes based on content. Pin just a handful of apps and the pinned section shrinks, giving way to more space for recommendations or categories.Responsive Recommendations and Content
Personalization has been ramped up. “Recommended” apps and files, a controversial feature in earlier iterations, can finally be hidden altogether—silencing criticisms about wasted space and intrusive suggestions. For those who want them, recommendations remain contextually relevant and neatly tucked beneath the app list.Mobile Integration: The Phone Screen Sidebar
Perhaps the most radical new feature is the integration of a smartphone status sidebar right next to the classic Start menu. This new pane keeps an eye on your phone’s battery life, connection status, and recent notifications—such as calls and texts. Supporting both iPhone and Android devices, the sidebar is collapsible, always on hand when needed but out of the way when not.While the feature is rolling out to most markets, Microsoft notes that it will arrive in the European Economic Area a bit later. The underlying goal is clear: further reduce the friction between PC and mobile workflows—something that both Apple and Google have chased in their respective ecosystems.
How to Try the New Start Menu Now
Curious users can get hands-on experience with the new Start menu by enrolling their PCs in the Windows Insider Program and selecting the Dev Channel. Upon installing the latest Insider Preview build, the fresh Start menu should appear—though as with all preview software, a degree of caution is wise. Bugs and incomplete features are part of the deal, and Microsoft reserves the right to tweak the interface further before broad public release.For those unwilling to risk their main PC, it’s advisable to try the update in a virtual machine or secondary system. The broader rollout to regular (stable) Windows 11 users is expected later this year, though Microsoft hasn’t committed to a specific date at the time of writing. Based on previous feature timelines, both Web and file search corroborate that major feature updates often reach general availability within a few months of Insider previews, once stability is assured.
Analysis: Strengths of the Overhauled Start Menu
Microsoft’s new approach is far from skin-deep. Several strengths set this refresh apart:1. User-Centric Customization
The combination of grid and category views, along with dynamic resizing, caters to both casual and power users. Unlike the one-size-fits-all approach of the initial Windows 11 menu, these options align more closely with real-world workflows.2. Efficient Use of Space
With content-driven resizing and better adaptation to different screen sizes, every inch of display real estate works harder. The frustration of scrolling through endless tiles or hunting for apps in unnecessarily separated sections is largely gone.3. Smart Categorization (with Some Caveats)
The automated app grouping borrows smartly from the likes of Apple’s App Library, offering a hands-off way to keep things organized. However, user control over these categories remains somewhat limited—manual editing or renaming of categories isn’t as robust as some third-party alternatives. It’s a big step forward, but customization aficionados may still desire more granular options.4. Seamless Mobile-PC Integration
Integrating a phone sidebar directly into the Start menu reflects a growing recognition of the cross-device reality of modern computing. With both iPhone and Android supported, Microsoft is aiming for broad utility, and the simplicity of the side panel makes the feature approachable for even less technical users.5. Addressing Feedback & Restoring Trust
Above all, this overhaul represents a notable shift in how Microsoft handles criticism. By directly addressing common pain points and embracing feedback, the company is signaling a renewed openness to community engagement—the very ethos that initially built the Windows ecosystem.Potential Drawbacks and Ongoing Concerns
Despite the many positives, some risks and unresolved issues remain:1. Automatic Categorization May Cause Confusion
While automated app organization helps most users, it can result in unintuitive placements—especially for niche or less common software. Without robust manual override, users may find themselves hunting for misfiled apps.2. Partial Customization
Grid and category views are excellent starts, but some critics argue for a return to the ultra-customizable two-column Start menu seen in Windows 7 and 10. Unlike Start11 or Open Shell, where nearly every aspect can be tweaked, Microsoft’s solution still keeps customization within certain guardrails.3. Insider-Only Preview (for Now)
As with any early-access rollout, there’s always the risk that most users will be left waiting months for a feature that’s already creating buzz—and, in some cases, the previewed features evolve or even disappear before public release.4. Stability and Legacy Compatibility
New user interface elements, particularly ones as central as the Start menu, have the potential to disrupt legacy workflows, third-party accessibility tools, and enterprise customizations. Early feedback suggests mostly smooth sailing, but wider real-world rollout could reveal edge cases and compatibility snafus.5. Competing with Third Parties
Microsoft’s enhancements, while substantial, still invite comparison to established third-party tools. Programs like Start11, StartAllBack, and Open Shell boast years of refinements, deeper customization, and reliability. Convincing power users—especially those nostalgic for classic layouts—to abandon these alternatives may be a tall order.Expert and Community Reception
Early impressions from veteran Windows users and tech press writers are cautiously positive. Authors like Ed Bott at ZDNet acknowledge having “always hated” the Windows 11 Start menu, but express openness to the new direction, noting appreciable improvements in usability and flexibility. Independent testers corroborate pithy strengths in app navigation and spatial efficiency. However, the consensus is that ultimate judgment must wait until the menu ships to stable builds and more users test its mettle in everyday scenarios.Discussions on Windows enthusiast forums reflect both excitement and skepticism. Many power users see the revamp as overdue, while others remain unmoved without deeper customization—pointing to Start11’s and Open Shell’s ability to resurrect the beloved Windows 7 Start menu. Papering over past frustrations, it’s evident Microsoft still walks a delicate line between innovation and tradition.
How Does It Compare? Microsoft vs. Third-Party Alternatives
With the announced overhaul, Microsoft appears to have taken a direct shot at the market for alternative start menus. Comparing the latest features side-by-side reveals some crucial points:| Feature | Windows 11 New Start Menu | Start11 | Open Shell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Categories | Yes (auto) | Partially (manual) | Partially (manual) |
| Grid View | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customization Depth | Medium | Extensive | Extensive |
| Mobile Integration | Yes (Sidebar) | No | No |
| Classic Menu Emulation | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hide Recommendations | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive Resizing | Yes | Partial | No |
Practical Steps to Try—Or Wait For—The New Start Menu
If you’re eager to get started:- Sign Up for the Windows Insider Program: Use a Microsoft account to register at the official program website.
- Switch to the Dev Channel: From Windows Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program, opt into the Dev Channel—this is where the latest features land first.
- Download the Latest Insider Preview Build: Ensure your PC meets hardware and support requirements before upgrading.
- Set Up a Test Environment: If possible, use a virtual machine or non-primary device, as Insider builds can introduce bugs or instability.
- Explore the New Start Menu: Dive into its layout options, experiment with grid and category views, and check out the phone sidebar.
Final Thoughts: A Start That’s Worth Another Look?
Microsoft’s willingness to rethink even iconic components like the Start menu speaks volumes about its evolving relationship with the community. By addressing long-standing complaints and recapturing lost ground in usability and flexibility, the new Windows 11 Start menu represents real progress—though not perfection.For the average user, the redesign offers a streamlined, visually pleasing, and deeply practical approach to app management. Power users and nostalgia buffs may still gravitate toward third-party solutions, but the gap is closing fast. As always, the true test will come when these features hit the mainstream and are exposed to the creative (and critical) scrutiny of millions. For now, the future of the Windows Start menu looks brighter—and friendlier—than it has in years.
Source: ZDNet You can try Windows 11's newest Start menu now - here's how
