Recently, information emerged about Microsoft developing a fresh Start menu for Windows 11, aimed at resolving concerns that have persisted since its introduction in 2021. A preliminary version of this new interface was found concealed within the most recent Insider preview build, providing us with an initial glimpse into the future changes for the Windows 11 layout.
For quite some time now, since its debut four years ago, the Start menu in Windows 11 has sparked debate among users transitioning to this operating system. The primary issue lies in its reduced customization options; you can’t deactivate or conceal certain components, and it only displays three rows of six pinned icons at a time on the screen, limiting its flexibility.
Furthermore, it relocated the All Apps list to a different page, making your list of installed applications less readily accessible upon opening Start. Instead, you now need an extra click to view it. Contrastingly, Windows 10’s Start menu keeps everything on the same page, allowing for more apps to be pinned and visible simultaneously.
One point of contention I have with the Windows 11 Start menu is the Recommended feed section. Despite using Windows 11 for four years now, I’ve never found a use for it. Oddly enough, Microsoft won’t let me hide it, so every time I open the Start menu, it’s there, catching my eye.
It seems Microsoft is now tackling these issues head-on, as evidenced by the updated Start menu found in the most recent preview build. The refreshed design boasts a larger format, enabling it to display more pinned applications. Additionally, users can now choose to hide the Recommended feed, and the complete list of apps has been combined with the main page for easier navigation.

Enlarging its size offers an intriguing adjustment, as it enables you to pin a greater number of applications than before, with the ability to display multiple apps simultaneously on screen. The revamped menu now allows for up to 8 apps per row, and no longer adheres to the previous three-row limit. You can customize the menu to automatically show all your pinned apps, irrespective of the number of rows you have.
As an analyst, Now, the complete list of all applications appears at the bottom of the menu, making it immediately visible without any need to navigate further. You can effortlessly browse through this list by simply scrolling up or down. Should you choose to hide the Recommended feed and unpin your preferred apps, the screen will display nothing but the comprehensive All Apps list – a feature that many users have been eagerly anticipating.

The revised Start menu now allows you to instantly toggle the appearance of the Phone Link section using a single click, without having to access the Settings application. This is particularly useful when you need to demonstrate something on your device promptly but wish to conceal your phone’s recent images and alerts from others.
As a researcher, I find it evident that the revamped Start menu in Windows 11 represents a substantial improvement, an upgrade that seems strategically timed as we approach the end of support for Windows 10. It appears Microsoft is making an effort to attract Windows 10 users transitioning to Windows 11 this year by incorporating familiar features from the former’s Start menu into the latter.
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2025-04-08 14:09