Few elements in the Windows ecosystem stir up as much excitement—and debate—as a major Start menu redesign. Microsoft’s latest overhaul to the Windows 11 Start menu, now being trialed in the Windows Insider Dev Channel with Preview Build 26200.5641 and related test releases, signals not just a visual update but a foundational shift in how users interact with their devices. At its heart is a renewed commitment to user agency, deeper customization, faster navigation, and seamless integration across devices, all of which may redefine productivity for millions of Windows enthusiasts.
The Start menu has symbolized the Windows experience since its 1995 debut. Over the years, it has morphed from a humble, text-driven navigation hub to a dynamic, tile-based start screen in Windows 8, only to return to more traditional roots under pressure from passionate users. Windows 10 solidified its place as both a launcher and a digital dashboard, while the first iteration of Windows 11 emphasized simplicity, centering the interface but sacrificing some of the flexibility long-time users craved.
Today, the Start menu is more than just a list of applications. It is a productivity platform in its own right, integrating recent documents, search, system settings, recommendations, and, increasingly, connections to the cloud and mobile devices. Therefore, any change to its form or function is bound to attract both intrigue and skepticism.
Customization options abound: rearrange, group, or folder your favorite apps; choose exactly how many pinned icons appear; flip instantly between categorized and alphabetized views; or clear space for a focused session by hiding everything but your essentials. For those who want their PC to feel uniquely their own, these tools deliver unprecedented flexibility.
Early adopters report generally positive impressions: improvements in speed, reduced clutter, and smoother scaling across devices. User forums highlight particular appreciation for the scannable grid and the option to kill recommendations—a feature that resets the Start menu closer to Windows 10’s beloved balance of form and function.
Additionally, the coexistence of multiple Start menu styles (traditional, grid, category) might fragment community support and troubleshooting documentation in the short term.
Yet, as with any change at this scale, success depends on continual listening, robust real-world testing, and a willingness to roll back or refine features that don’t universally resonate.
However, its long-term success will rest on Microsoft’s ability to follow through—fixing bugs, addressing real-world deployment headaches, and preventing UI drift toward future bloat or marketing distractions. The fact that recommendations can now be hidden, and sections collapsed, is evidence that user voices are being heard. As Insider builds give way to public release, Windows watchers of all experience levels should monitor feedback channels and official changelogs, helping to shape the next era of productivity on the world’s most popular operating system.
For Windows enthusiasts, IT professionals, and everyday users alike, this overhaul is more than a design refresh: it is an open invitation to help define what Windows feels like in the years ahead. If the trajectory holds, the Start menu’s most transformative feature may not be any single layout or toggle, but the promise that Microsoft is finally charting its interface roadmap by listening to you.
Source: MakeUseOf Microsoft Is Testing a New Windows 11 Start Menu I Actually Want to Use
The Start Menu: An Evolving Icon
The Start menu has symbolized the Windows experience since its 1995 debut. Over the years, it has morphed from a humble, text-driven navigation hub to a dynamic, tile-based start screen in Windows 8, only to return to more traditional roots under pressure from passionate users. Windows 10 solidified its place as both a launcher and a digital dashboard, while the first iteration of Windows 11 emphasized simplicity, centering the interface but sacrificing some of the flexibility long-time users craved.Today, the Start menu is more than just a list of applications. It is a productivity platform in its own right, integrating recent documents, search, system settings, recommendations, and, increasingly, connections to the cloud and mobile devices. Therefore, any change to its form or function is bound to attract both intrigue and skepticism.
What’s New in the Windows 11 Start Menu Redesign?
The current preview introduces sweeping, user-driven changes, aligning the Start menu with modern workflow demands while honoring legacy Windows sensibilities.Unified, Scrollable Layout
Microsoft is eliminating the forced separation between pinned apps and “Recommended” content, combining all essential elements onto a singular, scrollable page. No more switching between tabs or toggles just to launch your favorite app or dig up a recently-installed tool. By reducing cognitive load and enabling at-a-glance access to the full app library, this unified experience promises both efficiency and clarity.Pinned Apps Get Center Stage—With Versatility
In the reimagined Start menu, pinned applications sit atop the layout in wide, customizable rows—now supporting up to eight icons per row on desktops and six on smaller devices. By default, only a couple of rows are visible, but a “Show more/Show less” toggle enables users to expand or shrink this list on demand. Whether you’re a minimalist or a power user who needs dozens of shortcuts visible, the Start menu now flexibly adapts.Customizable Views: Categories, Grids, and Beyond
A standout innovation is the introduction of multiple ways to view and organize your applications:- Category View: Apps are automatically grouped by their function (e.g., Productivity, Creativity, Gaming, Utilities), echoing the organization of leading mobile platforms.
- Grid View: Arranges apps in a tidy, horizontally-scanning grid, ideal for users who prefer visual cues or a touch-friendly arrangement.
- Traditional List View: Alphabetized for those who value historic continuity and can scan lists quickly.
The End of Unwanted Recommendations
Perhaps the most-requested improvement—spanning years of feedback—is the ability to completely disable the “Recommended” section. This area, which attempted to surface relevant files, apps, or even promotions, was as often a distraction as a convenience. Now, a single toggle in Settings allows users to hide recommendations entirely. Crucially, this move addresses both privacy concerns and the desire for a focused, user-defined workspace.Size, Adaptability, and Responsive Design
The new Start menu adapts dynamically to different hardware formats, scaling up to an 8-column grid on desktops and accommodating varying numbers of recommended apps and categories based on device resolution. This is especially important as Windows runs across a dizzying array of devices—from compact tablets and 2-in-1s to sprawling ultrawide monitors. The goal is a Start menu that never feels cramped nor wastefully sparse, no matter your screen size.Integration With Phone Link and Cross-Device Synergy
Another headline addition is deeper integration with the Microsoft Phone Link companion. Now, notifications, messages, recent photos, and even battery status from connected Android or iOS devices can be surfaced directly within the Start menu via a collapsible “Phone Sliver” panel. This bridges the desktop-mobile divide and gives quick access to cross-device workflows—a clear nod to modern productivity trends where users jump constantly between PCs and smartphones.Touch-Friendly and Accessibility Improvements
The redesign includes enlarged hit targets, dynamic resizing, and gesture support to ensure the Start menu is as intuitive with touch as it is with mouse or keyboard, cementing its utility across diverse device categories.User Experience: Streamlined, Familiar, and Empowered
In practice, the new Start menu makes everyday interactions noticeably smoother. The ability to collapse or expand both pinned and recommended sections minimizes distractions, surfacing only what you deem essential. The scrollable layout reduces repetitive clicking and keeps all key functions within thumb’s reach for tablet users.Customization options abound: rearrange, group, or folder your favorite apps; choose exactly how many pinned icons appear; flip instantly between categorized and alphabetized views; or clear space for a focused session by hiding everything but your essentials. For those who want their PC to feel uniquely their own, these tools deliver unprecedented flexibility.
How to Get the New Start Menu (and What to Expect Next)
Currently, the redesigned Start menu is exclusive to select Insider builds (notably Dev Channel and Windows 11 24H2), with feature rollout managed both by A/B testing and the use of experimental flags—some requiring third-party utilities like ViVeTool to enable advanced features. This phased approach is intentional, letting Microsoft refine bugs and UI quibbles before releasing the changes to all users.Early adopters report generally positive impressions: improvements in speed, reduced clutter, and smoother scaling across devices. User forums highlight particular appreciation for the scannable grid and the option to kill recommendations—a feature that resets the Start menu closer to Windows 10’s beloved balance of form and function.
Strengths of the Windows 11 Start Menu Overhaul
1. User-Driven Customization
Microsoft’s willingness to prioritize individual workflows—offering total control over recommendations, view styles, and organization—marks a significant philosophical shift. Instead of imposing a “one right way” to interact with the OS, the new design respects user diversity whether you’re a casual user, a power user, or an IT administrator deploying thousands of endpoints.2. Productivity and Speed
Faster load times and fewer navigation steps mean even large app libraries can be scanned instantly. With critical shortcuts surfaced and fewer distractions, day-to-day usage feels faster and more satisfying.3. Modern Aesthetics Balanced With Function
Refined animations, material effects, and context-aware resizing ensure the Start menu remains at home on the latest hardware while retaining a level of comfort familiar to Windows veterans. The centering of the Start button and visually cohesive panels make for a uniform look across taskbar, Start menu, and new system interfaces.4. Cross-Device Integration
Bringing mobile notifications, media, and messages into the Start menu itself is a leap forward in cross-device productivity, echoing similar integrations in Apple’s macOS but within the Windows paradigm.5. Accessibility and Global Relevance
Widely test-driven with over 300 users in global focus groups, the new Start menu places a strong emphasis on accessibility, dynamic adaptation for international workflows, and support for multiple languages and regions, setting the stage for broader adoption and satisfaction.Potential Risks and Open Questions
While the new Start menu brings significant improvements, there are caveats and unknowns:1. Learning Curve and Preference Fatigue
Even evolutionary changes can unsettle habitual users. Some may feel overwhelmed by options or disoriented by the new layout—especially IT departments supporting less tech-savvy staff. Microsoft acknowledges this risk and is iterating heavily on feedback, but full adoption could take time.2. Stability and Feature Fragmentation
Beta software is, by definition, unfinished. Reports from early testers occasionally mention crashes or inconsistencies, especially where new experimental features or advanced settings are enabled. Enterprises and mission-critical users are advised to wait until broader deployment and more mature build cycles.Additionally, the coexistence of multiple Start menu styles (traditional, grid, category) might fragment community support and troubleshooting documentation in the short term.
3. Privacy Considerations
Hiding the Recommendations section is a win for privacy hawks, but the default presence of such features—even with opt-outs—might still raise concerns. Microsoft claims local processing and increased transparency, but third-party verification and deeper policy controls will be vital for enterprise trust.4. Integration With Third-party Apps and Utilities
Many Windows users employ third-party Start menu replacements or customization utilities. Compatibility with those tools is not guaranteed under the new regime and could lead to broken workflows until vendor updates or patches catch up.Critical Perspective: Evolution, Not Revolution
Microsoft’s current approach walks a delicate line. Rather than radically disrupting user workflows—an error that haunted the Windows 8 era—the new Start menu evolves in response to sustained feedback and proven user patterns. Its vision of “adaptive, personal, and connected computing” strives to blend innovation with the familiar.Yet, as with any change at this scale, success depends on continual listening, robust real-world testing, and a willingness to roll back or refine features that don’t universally resonate.
The Verdict: A Pivotal Step Forward—With Sensible Caution
The redesigned Windows 11 Start menu is a landmark shift. It provides tangible benefits: user-led customization, less clutter, more workflow options, and a bridge between PC and mobile. For many, it will finally make the Start menu something they actively want to use every day—not something they tolerate or seek to replace.However, its long-term success will rest on Microsoft’s ability to follow through—fixing bugs, addressing real-world deployment headaches, and preventing UI drift toward future bloat or marketing distractions. The fact that recommendations can now be hidden, and sections collapsed, is evidence that user voices are being heard. As Insider builds give way to public release, Windows watchers of all experience levels should monitor feedback channels and official changelogs, helping to shape the next era of productivity on the world’s most popular operating system.
For Windows enthusiasts, IT professionals, and everyday users alike, this overhaul is more than a design refresh: it is an open invitation to help define what Windows feels like in the years ahead. If the trajectory holds, the Start menu’s most transformative feature may not be any single layout or toggle, but the promise that Microsoft is finally charting its interface roadmap by listening to you.
Source: MakeUseOf Microsoft Is Testing a New Windows 11 Start Menu I Actually Want to Use
