What you need to know
- Microsoft is working on a category view within the Windows 11 Start menu.
- The view groups apps in a way similar to what’s seen on smartphones running iOS or Android.
- The new feature has not been announced by Microsoft and requires a third-party tool to enable it, so you can expect some bugs if you do try it.
- Once the new feature rolls out, it appears that you’ll be able to toggle between Alphabetical, Grid, and Category views within the Start menu.
As a tech enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I must admit that the new Category View for the Windows 11 Start menu has piqued my interest. Having used iOS and Android devices, I can appreciate the convenience of organizing apps in categories, but I’m also well aware of the challenges Microsoft faces in implementing this on a desktop operating system.
A fresh perspective for the Start menu on Windows 11 is under development. Although Microsoft hasn’t officially announced this new feature yet, it can be activated using external software if your system runs Windows 11 build 22635.4010, which was recently distributed to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel.
The change was spotted by X user phantomofearth, who also shared a video of the feature in action.
Category view works in a similar way to how apps are organized on iOS or Android. App icons appear within subsections, making it easier to find specific apps. The view differs from using folders, since Windows 11 groups the apps automatically and in a different type of grid.
It appears that the idea behind the category view is effective, but I believe it requires some adjustments. The icons within their grid arrangement don’t seem very organic, and the hover effects are still a bit unpolished. Since Microsoft hasn’t officially introduced this feature yet, there’s ample opportunity to fine-tune its design and make enhancements. It’s likely that category view will pass through the Windows Insider Program, allowing Microsoft to gather more feedback for further improvements.
Windows 11 Start menu woes
The Windows 11 Start menu has received criticism since its early days. Design preference is subjective, of course, but there are some common complaints about the menu. Many dislike the plethora of promoted apps and ads within the Start menu, which have only become more plentiful since the initial release of Windows 11. Others dislike the lack of customization options within the Windows 11 Start menu, often turning toward programs like Start11.
In transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11, Microsoft simplified some aspects, like disabling the option to place the taskbar at the top of your screen. However, they’ve also incorporated features that users may not have explicitly asked for. For instance, the dot symbol you see in the image isn’t an urgent notification as one might expect. Rather, it serves as a reminder to input my phone number into my Microsoft account. It’s possible that Microsoft already has this information on file somewhere, but it seems unlikely that the Start menu is aware of it.
In testing, Meriç Bağlayan expressed a common sentiment about the new category view: “I’d rather not see the removal of the ‘Recommended’ section” in the Start menu. This comment indicates that even when all content for the Recommended section is disabled, Windows 11 still shows an invitation to enable Recommended content, which seems wasteful.
While I appreciate the fundamental idea behind the redesign of Windows 11’s Start menu, switching from Live Tiles to a launcher-style format is acceptable. However, Microsoft seems to have eliminated some favorite features, included unwanted options, diminished customization possibilities, and has yet to address concerns raised by users. A few design adjustments and more customization choices could significantly enhance the Start menu experience. Unfortunately, until or unless these changes are implemented, we’re left with a rather unattractive category view as an alternative.
Read More
- JASMY PREDICTION. JASMY cryptocurrency
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- WLD PREDICTION. WLD cryptocurrency
- Top gainers and losers
- ELK PREDICTION. ELK cryptocurrency
- SCOMP PREDICTION. SCOMP cryptocurrency
- CLV PREDICTION. CLV cryptocurrency
- LSK PREDICTION. LSK cryptocurrency
- LOKA PREDICTION. LOKA cryptocurrency
- BOO PREDICTION. BOO cryptocurrency
2024-08-12 15:39