Microsoft could make a huge change to an iconic part of Windows 11 that you use every day, and I cant wait to try the new Start menu

Date:
Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:00:11 +0000

Description:
A redesign for the Windows 11 Start menu has been spotted in testing, and it comes with the change Ive been desperate to see.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Microsof t appears to be working on a big redesign for the Start menu This work is hidden in the background of Windows 11 test builds, though, so it isn't officially happening yet It rolls the Start menu elements into a single, scrollable panel, and also gives users the choice to ditch recommendations

Microsoft looks to be applying a major change to the Start menu in Windows 11 , revamping the layout so that its all on a single panel and allowing recommendations to be turned off if the user wishes.

These are positive steps forward for this central part of the Windows 11 interface, although they arent happening just yet.

In fact, this work is still hidden in the background of the most recent Dev and Beta preview builds of Windows 11. So, its present, but not yet
officially live, and it has to be enabled by fudging things with a Windows configuration utility.

Thats exactly what PhantomOfEarth, a regular provider of Windows info on X, did to uncover the new Start menu layout, which now puts everything on one panel that you scroll down.

This means you now have the pinned apps at the top, then recommendations, and the full list of installed apps below that rather than the latter being separated off, as is the case now in Windows 11, with the app list being in a different panel you switch to by clicking a button. Hidden in today's
Dev/Beta CUs: a major update to the Windows 11 Start menu! It has a new, larger layout with everything on one scrollable page, with the "All" list below recommendations - which can FINALLY be turned off! Pinned list is now limited to 2 rows, but can be expanded. pic.twitter.com/JkP3V2I5g6 April 3, 2025

As Windows Central reports , the rejigged Start menu panel is now also wider, meaning theres more space to pin your favorite apps for easy access.

Crucially, theres another move, something Ive been wanting for a long time, and thats being able to switch off Microsofts recommendations for files or apps you might want to use (based on the history of your PC usage), as mentioned at the outset. (Image credit: Evgeny Atamanenko / Shutterstock) Analysis: An apparent reversal of course by Microsoft

Its good to see Microsoft is mulling a big, positive change for the Start menu, but we must remember that this isnt yet in testing, so we cant count on this redesign actually being realized. That said, it looks like this work is well underway in the background of Windows 11 preview builds, which is a positive sign.

The worry for me is that at the end of last year, Microsoft categorically
said it wasnt going to remove the recommendations panel , and would instead continue to work on improving its quality going forward. Well, that stance appears to have changed, but this previous statement does give me a little pause for thought.

I can only hope that the options to turn off recommendations makes the cut
for the release version of Windows 11. Okay, so some folks might appreciate having recommendations flagged to them, and thats fine Microsoft has even been exploring some useful tweaks to them in recent times.

However, there are certainly people who could live without recommendations eating up space in their Start menu myself included and there should always have been an option to turn them off, really. Give people the choice to
either have them, or not, plain and simple.

Also visible in testing here are the new grid and category views which are different choices for how you peruse the list of all the apps on your PC. These arent new, and have been in testing (officially) for a while , but I thought Id highlight them in case you missed this. Theyre also a positive stride forward for the Start menu, and the new views are a good alternative
to having one long alphabetical list of apps, particularly the category view which groups related applications to make navigation easier. Again, you dont have to do this, and you can stick with the default long list if you prefer, but as ever, more choice is always good.

Is there a chance well see this new Start menu as part of Microsofts big 50th anniversary celebrations (a bash that kicks off later today)? Well, no, because this redesign isnt even in testing yet, but it may be possible that Microsoft could mention the idea in passing or tease it somehow.

At least that would confirm that the revamp is definitely inbound, and quell any lingering doubts that I have based on some of the companys past statements. Ill be keeping my fingers firmly crossed that this is a move
thats incoming, and that itll be fully realized as it currently appears in testing (meaning that Microsoft doesnt whip out the choice to turn off recommendations). You may also like... Here's why you should reinstall
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-could-make-a-huge-change -to-an-iconic-part-of-windows-11-that-you-use-every-day-and-i-cant-wait-to-try -the-new-start-menu


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