Microsoft has made changes to almost every part of Windows 11 since its initial launch in 2021, but the taskbar and Start menu have remained largely untouched—until now. A fresh Start menu design is on the horizon, and it might be one you prefer.

This updated Start menu design is currently being tested by Microsoft. If it makes it into the final version of the 25H2 update, it will feature pinned apps at the top, a central "Recommended" section for files and frequently used apps, and a categorized list of all installed applications at the bottom. Instead of clicking into an "All apps" menu, you can simply scroll down to view your full app list. Additionally, if your phone is connected to your PC, a new button will display your linked phone’s status, including battery life, calls, and messages.

This layout may look familiar because Microsoft previously introduced an early version of it several months ago, which has been available in Insider builds for some time. This latest version appears more refined and closer to what users might see in the official release.

In the "All apps" area, two new organization options are being added: "Category" and "Grid." The default "Category" view sorts apps into groups like "Productivity" or "Games." A category will only appear if it contains at least three related apps; otherwise, they’ll fall under the "Other" group. For those who want something different from the standard alphabetical list, this could be a useful alternative—if it works well for you.

For users who prefer a more traditional format, the "Grid" view displays apps alphabetically in a wider layout that could make scanning easier compared to a vertical list. Your chosen view will be remembered by the system, and you're still free to use the original List view if desired.

Related ##### 10 Ways to Customize the Windows 11 Start Menu

Add some pizzazz to your Start Menu.

Posts 3 This redesigned Start menu is also more adaptable to various screen sizes. On larger monitors, it expands to show up to eight columns of pinned apps, six recommended items, and four columns of app categories. On smaller screens, the layout becomes more condensed, displaying six columns of pinned apps, four recommended items, and three columns of categories.

If you'd like to try this out, it's expected to arrive with the Windows 11 25H2 update later this year. However, if you're eager to get it sooner, you can opt for the latest Insider build. As always, I usually advise against installing preview versions on critical devices unless you're prepared to deal with potential bugs that might affect system stability.

Source: Microsoft

The above is the detailed content of Windows 11 Now Has a New Start Menu Design. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!