The evolution of the Start menu in Windows has long been a point of both nostalgia and controversy for users spanning multiple generations of the operating system. Microsoft’s ongoing development strategy for Windows 11 appears keenly aware of this legacy—making the Start menu not just a hub for productivity, but a visual and functional centerpiece that adapts to a wide range of user preferences and device form factors. With the latest Insider Preview now tapping a broader test audience, the new Windows 11 Start menu represents a significant step forward in both usability and customizability. Let’s examine what’s new, evaluate the implications for end-users, and cast a critical eye on the broader ambitions Microsoft is advancing with these changes.
Perhaps the most immediately apparent update is the increased spatial flexibility of the Start menu. Insiders on the Dev Channel can now expand the menu to support up to eight columns of pinned apps and shortcuts—significantly upping the real estate for power users and those with ultrawide or high-resolution displays. The addition of upward and downward scrolling ensures that even the most app-heavy users won’t feel constrained. This is not merely a cosmetic change; it’s a direct response to sustained community feedback requesting a denser, more information-rich launch point without sacrificing touch usability.
This duality, mirroring similar features in third-party launchers, gives users not just aesthetic choice but practical control over their own focus and habits. The greater question—whether most users crave such granularity, or if they prefer the previous one-size-fits-all approach—will depend on broader adoption and direct usage telemetry.
The impact here is hard to overstate. On the one hand, this reflects a hard-earned lesson from previous Windows design missteps (as with Live Tiles). On the other, by giving users the power to reclaim real estate, Microsoft nods to a growing expectation in the tech community: UI elements must earn their keep.
For gamers—especially those using portable Windows devices—another quality-of-life improvement stands out: the ability to enter PIN codes using a gamepad. This, while seemingly niche, actually addresses a growing subset of hybrid and handheld PC owners. As Windows gaming extends from desktops to devices like the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, such quality-of-life tweaks could have outsized impact on accessibility and overall experience. However, only broader community testing will reveal how robust and universal this fix proves to be.
While lock screen widgets have existed in mobile OSes for years, bringing this capability to desktop Windows offers its own practical and privacy balancing act. It could pave the way for richer, more interactive lock screen experiences—though questions remain about how much sensitive information should be surfaced while a device remains technically locked.
Feedback loops between Microsoft and Insiders are functioning as intended: test builds surfaced these Start menu changes as far back as April, and early reactions have directly influenced tweaks before this broader rollout. This iterative approach—while not without missteps—remains a best practice in modern software development, especially at the scale of Windows.
Furthermore, features like gamepad PIN entry and deeper Phone Link integration show that Microsoft is thinking beyond traditional desktop scenarios. If Windows is to remain relevant in an age of cloud gaming, portable hybrids, and always-connected devices, these investments in adaptability are not just wise—they’re essential.
Further, the Recommendations block toggle—while a boon to privacy-conscious users—highlights an ongoing tension in modern UI design. Removing surface-level content may not be enough; what telemetry is sent to Microsoft about app and document usage? Customers will benefit from further clarity on data retention and sharing, especially in light of recent global privacy regulations.
Finally, real consistency across devices remains aspirational. The Start menu’s expanded columns may shine on 4K desktop monitors, but how gracefully do these features degrade on smaller touchscreens, 2-in-1s, or legacy displays? The devil—as always—will be in the details, and broader device testing is critical.
However, there’s a persistent call for continued refinement. Some users long for even more Start menu transparency—clearer labels, better accessibility tools, and a default layout that adapts more smartly to user patterns. Others wonder whether too many configuration options could confuse new Windows adopters, echoing past debates about Control Panel versus Settings app divergences.
Yet, Microsoft also faces a paradox. As more users migrate everyday workflows to web apps, virtual desktops, and cross-platform ecosystems, the classic Start menu risks losing cultural and utilitarian relevance. By doubling down on adaptability, Microsoft is both futureproofing its most recognized UI and staking its bet on a vision: the Start menu as not just historical relic, but living, breathing productivity engine, as relevant on a tablet, gaming handheld, or office tower as ever.
Continued transparency, community feedback cycles, and iterative testing will determine whether this new Start menu cements itself as a beloved upgrade—or just another transitory experiment in the annals of Windows UI history. Enthusiasts and enterprises alike should keep a close watch: in the endlessly evolving landscape of desktop computing, small changes to the Start menu often signal much larger shifts to come.
Source: Mezha.Media Microsoft is testing a new Start menu in Windows 11
A Larger, Smarter Start: Scrolling, Columns, and Customization
Perhaps the most immediately apparent update is the increased spatial flexibility of the Start menu. Insiders on the Dev Channel can now expand the menu to support up to eight columns of pinned apps and shortcuts—significantly upping the real estate for power users and those with ultrawide or high-resolution displays. The addition of upward and downward scrolling ensures that even the most app-heavy users won’t feel constrained. This is not merely a cosmetic change; it’s a direct response to sustained community feedback requesting a denser, more information-rich launch point without sacrificing touch usability.Grid and Categorized Viewing Modes
Central to this redesign are two new display paradigms: “Grid” and “Categorized” modes. In Grid view, the Start menu functions as a straightforward launcher, packing in as many shortcuts as the screen (and user’s eyesight) allow. Categorical mode, by contrast, organizes apps and documents into contextual groupings—potentially mirroring the way users sort their workflows. Early hands-on reactions from Insiders suggest that while Grid mode caters to those who want maximum efficiency and minimum fuss, Categorical mode begins to recapture some of the organizational discipline that many missed since the heyday of the Windows 7 Start menu.This duality, mirroring similar features in third-party launchers, gives users not just aesthetic choice but practical control over their own focus and habits. The greater question—whether most users crave such granularity, or if they prefer the previous one-size-fits-all approach—will depend on broader adoption and direct usage telemetry.
Remodeling Recommendations: Customize or Clear
Another noteworthy addition is the new flexibility around the Start menu’s Recommendations block. For years, this panel—surfacing recently used files, apps, or suggested actions—has been a point of contention, with privacy-conscious users concerned about sensitive files showing up by default, and minimalists wanting a less cluttered interface. Now, with a straightforward toggle, users can declutter by removing the recommendations section entirely, instead filling that space with more pinned apps.The impact here is hard to overstate. On the one hand, this reflects a hard-earned lesson from previous Windows design missteps (as with Live Tiles). On the other, by giving users the power to reclaim real estate, Microsoft nods to a growing expectation in the tech community: UI elements must earn their keep.
New Device Experiences: Phone Link and Gaming
While much of the Start menu redesign focuses on productivity, Microsoft hasn’t forgotten about converged workflows and gaming. Notably, the update introduces a new button directly within the Start menu to expand or collapse the Phone Link panel. As smartphone integration becomes a productivity norm, this simple yet strategic move embeds cross-device continuity deeper than before. It’s an acknowledgment that the lines between desktop, portable, and mobile experiences are increasingly blurred.For gamers—especially those using portable Windows devices—another quality-of-life improvement stands out: the ability to enter PIN codes using a gamepad. This, while seemingly niche, actually addresses a growing subset of hybrid and handheld PC owners. As Windows gaming extends from desktops to devices like the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, such quality-of-life tweaks could have outsized impact on accessibility and overall experience. However, only broader community testing will reveal how robust and universal this fix proves to be.
Widgets and Lock Screen Personalization
The Start menu isn’t the only interface element seeing increased flexibility. This round of updates allows users to change widgets directly from the lock screen, giving quick access to glanceable information—potentially without unlocking the device. The significance isn’t lost on those who multitask across devices, or who thrive on personalized, real-time info (like calendars, weather, or news snippets) at a glance.While lock screen widgets have existed in mobile OSes for years, bringing this capability to desktop Windows offers its own practical and privacy balancing act. It could pave the way for richer, more interactive lock screen experiences—though questions remain about how much sensitive information should be surfaced while a device remains technically locked.
Critical Analysis: Strengths, Risks, and What’s Still Missing
Strengths: Flexibility, Feedback, and Forward Motion
The most obvious strength in this wave of updates is the degree of flexibility being handed to the user. After years of a relatively locked-down approach to UI in Windows 10 and the initial Windows 11 release, Microsoft’s willingness to respond to community input is a refreshing course-correction. Letting users expand, organize, or minimalist-ify their Start menu builds trust and recognizes the diversity of workflows in the modern PC landscape.Feedback loops between Microsoft and Insiders are functioning as intended: test builds surfaced these Start menu changes as far back as April, and early reactions have directly influenced tweaks before this broader rollout. This iterative approach—while not without missteps—remains a best practice in modern software development, especially at the scale of Windows.
Furthermore, features like gamepad PIN entry and deeper Phone Link integration show that Microsoft is thinking beyond traditional desktop scenarios. If Windows is to remain relevant in an age of cloud gaming, portable hybrids, and always-connected devices, these investments in adaptability are not just wise—they’re essential.
Risks: Complexity, Consistency, Privacy
Yet, not all is unambiguously positive. There are legitimate concerns that this new level of customization and configuration could introduce usability risks—especially for the least technically inclined users. Historically, adding options has sometimes convoluted Windows settings, making it harder for support teams and average users alike to pin down “the basics.” Over-customized Start menus also risk fragmenting the user experience; what “Windows” looks like for one family member could be drastically different for another, complicating collaborative troubleshooting.Further, the Recommendations block toggle—while a boon to privacy-conscious users—highlights an ongoing tension in modern UI design. Removing surface-level content may not be enough; what telemetry is sent to Microsoft about app and document usage? Customers will benefit from further clarity on data retention and sharing, especially in light of recent global privacy regulations.
Finally, real consistency across devices remains aspirational. The Start menu’s expanded columns may shine on 4K desktop monitors, but how gracefully do these features degrade on smaller touchscreens, 2-in-1s, or legacy displays? The devil—as always—will be in the details, and broader device testing is critical.
Real-World Use: Early Impressions from the Insider Community
The Insider blog and recurring discussions across forums like Windows Forum and Reddit suggest a cautiously optimistic reception from early adopters. Power users appreciate the denser app layouts and the return to more visual organization options. Minimalists cite the reclaimed space thanks to removable recommendations. Gaming enthusiasts praise the new PIN entry pathway, even if some note that niche functionality sometimes ships unfinished in preview builds.However, there’s a persistent call for continued refinement. Some users long for even more Start menu transparency—clearer labels, better accessibility tools, and a default layout that adapts more smartly to user patterns. Others wonder whether too many configuration options could confuse new Windows adopters, echoing past debates about Control Panel versus Settings app divergences.
The Strategic Angle: Microsoft’s UX Gamble
At a macro level, these Start menu experiments speak volumes about Microsoft’s evolving UX philosophy. In the last decade, Windows’ default interface has been criticized both for being too restrictive (Windows 10’s locked-down tiles) and too capriciously modern (Windows 8’s full-screen Metro). The current approach—a hybrid that amplifies user control while streamlining default touchpoints—suggests that Microsoft is finally heeding long-standing calls for both heritage and harmony.Yet, Microsoft also faces a paradox. As more users migrate everyday workflows to web apps, virtual desktops, and cross-platform ecosystems, the classic Start menu risks losing cultural and utilitarian relevance. By doubling down on adaptability, Microsoft is both futureproofing its most recognized UI and staking its bet on a vision: the Start menu as not just historical relic, but living, breathing productivity engine, as relevant on a tablet, gaming handheld, or office tower as ever.
Moving Forward: What to Watch
Looking ahead, several questions will likely dominate the conversation around the new Start menu:- How will Microsoft balance customization and simplicity? Early Insiders have more configuration choices, but the final feature set may be scaled back or presented differently in the mainline consumer release.
- Will performance keep pace? Heavier menus and more real-time widgets could introduce lag on older or less powerful systems. Microsoft’s track record on performance optimization has waxed and waned between builds.
- How do these changes integrate with enterprise environments? Power users care about personalization, but IT departments crave uniformity and manageability. Group Policy controls over the new features will likely become a sticking point.
- Is true mobile/Desktop crossover on the horizon? With Phone Link and gamepad support, Microsoft is inching closer to interface parity across devices. But full convergence, especially with Android/iOS, remains a distant prospect.
Practical Tips: Making the Most of the New Start Menu
For those eager to dive in—or for IT admins prepping for wider rollout—here are some practical first steps:- Join the Windows Insider Program (Dev Channel) to access the new Start menu ahead of general release.
- Experiment with both Grid and Categorical modes to determine which suits your personal or organizational workflow.
- Toggle off Recommendations if privacy or screen space is a priority; experiment with column expansion to streamline your pinned apps.
- For hybrid devices and portable PCs, test gamepad PIN entry and Phone Link panel expansion—providing feedback to Microsoft, especially if you encounter hiccups.
- If lock screen widgets are enabled, audit what information they show to ensure no sensitive content leaks to unauthorized viewers.
Conclusion: The Start of a New Start?
The redesigned Start menu in Windows 11 is more than just a fresh coat of paint. It signals a matured design philosophy at Microsoft—one that seeks to balance modern aesthetics with user-led adaptability. While not every change will satisfy every demographic, and new risks accompany greater flexibility, the direction is clear: Windows 11 is iterating (and listening), and the Start menu remains, for now, the irreplaceable heart of the Windows experience.Continued transparency, community feedback cycles, and iterative testing will determine whether this new Start menu cements itself as a beloved upgrade—or just another transitory experiment in the annals of Windows UI history. Enthusiasts and enterprises alike should keep a close watch: in the endlessly evolving landscape of desktop computing, small changes to the Start menu often signal much larger shifts to come.
Source: Mezha.Media Microsoft is testing a new Start menu in Windows 11
