- Windows 11 debuts a larger, more customizable and responsive start menu.
- It offers new app views: by category and grid, and eliminates tabs.
- Highlights include the option to hide recommendations and Mobile Link integration for Android and iOS.
- It's now available in Insider builds and will soon be available to all users.
Microsoft has begun rolling out a revamped start menu in windows 11 It introduces significant changes aimed at customization, faster access to apps, and greater adaptability to each device. The redesign responds to one of the most consistent demands from the user community and seeks to modernize a fundamental component of the operating system, whose appearance and operation have generated all kinds of opinions since its launch in 2021.
This Start menu update can now be tested in the latest builds of the program. Windows Insider, both in the development channel and in beta, and its rollout will be extended to other Windows 11 users in the coming months. The new features focus on making app management easier, optimizing the experience across different screen sizes, and granting greater control over the content displayed.
A more organized, flexible, tab-free design
The main transformation that the start menu receives is the removing system pages or tabs, which required you to jump between sections to access all the installed applications. Now, the menu presents a continuous and vertically scrollable interface, allowing you to view both pinned applications and the complete list of programs from the very beginning, without any intermediate steps.
Pinned apps are at the top, followed by the recommendations section — which finally you can hide it completely from system settings if preferred—and then all installed applications.
For those looking for even more control, the Start menu incorporates two views for the all apps section:
- View by categories: Automatically groups apps by type (productivity, communication, multimedia, etc.), displaying the most frequently used apps first in each group. Categories are only created if there are at least three of that type; the rest are assigned to an "Other" section.
- Grid view: sorts all applications alphabetically and distributes icons in columns, making them easier to locate and making better use of horizontal space.
Furthermore, the menu remembers the last view used by the user, so there is no need to reconfigure it every time it is opened.
Intelligent adaptation to each team and preferences
One of the most valued aspects of this redesign is How the Start menu automatically adjusts to the screen size and resolutionFor example, on larger devices, up to eight columns of pinned apps, six columns of recommendations, and four categories can be displayed in the all apps view. On smaller screens, these values are reduced to maximize usable space without losing functionality.
If you have only a few pinned apps, the section is reduced to a single row, allowing more space for other sections like the app list or suggestions. All of these settings can be modified through the Personalization panel in Windows 11's Settings.
For those who prefer an even more uncluttered menu, It is possible to disable the recommendations section (as well as newly installed applications) from Settings > Personalization > Home, by checking or unchecking the corresponding options.
Another relevant novelty is the presence of a dedicated button next to the search box which facilitates integration with mobile devices Using the Phone Link feature, this tool allows you to quickly expand or collapse the connection panel with your phone to access notifications, messages, calls, and even mirror your screen to compatible devices without having to open the separate app.
Other features and requirements to try out the new features
The update not only affects the start menu, but introduces additional improvements such as the ability to choose the widgets visible in the lock screen and keyboard optimization for controllers or gamepads, designed for those using Windows 11 on consoles portable like the ROG Xbox Ally. Now includes support for PIN login directly from a gamepad.
For now, These new features are available to users enrolled in the Windows Insider program.If you want to try the new Start menu before anyone else, you can join in your PC's settings by selecting the Beta Channel or the Dev Channel. Of course, like any feature in testing, it may experience minor bugs.
The Start menu update is being distributed via build 26200.5641 (KB5060824) and later. The rollout is gradual, so it may take a few days to reach all registered computers.
How to enable or force the new boot menu
The feature may not appear immediately, as Microsoft is gradually rolling it out. If you have the correct version but the new menu isn't displayed, There is the option to force its activation with the ViVeTool tool, following these steps:
- Download ViVeTool from its official GitHub site and unzip the files into an accessible folder.
- Open a window of symbol of the system as administrator and access the ViVeTool folder.
- Run this command:
vivetool /enable /id:47205210,49221331,49381526,49402389,49820095,55495322,48433719 - Restart the computer to apply the changes.
This should activate the new Start menu if you have the supported Insider build. Please note that this is a feature in development and may experience bugs or unexpected behavior.
This redesign seeks to combine simplicity, customization, and adaptability into a central dashboard for daily application management, improving the experience for both those who prefer basic use and those who demand greater control over every aspect of the system.
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