Windows 11 Start Menu: Why It Changed & How to Use It
▼ Summary
– A redesigned Windows 11 Start menu is rolling out via the KB5067036 update, which may change its size, layout, and app locations.
– The new menu is split into three distinct sections: “Pinned,” “Recommended,” and “All,” with the “All” section now immediately visible.
– While more adaptable, some features like the menu’s automatic size scaling based on screen resolution cannot be manually customized.
– Users can disable the “Recommended” section entirely and switch the “All” apps view between a categorized list and an alphabetical grid.
– The change has surprised some users, and while it offers improvements, third-party tools remain popular for those seeking greater customization.
If you’ve recently powered on your Windows 11 computer, you might have noticed something different about the Start menu. Its size and layout have shifted, and some of your applications may have relocated. This isn’t a glitch or an error on your system; it’s the result of a deliberate update that began rolling out in phases starting in October 2025. The change is delivered through the KB5067036 update, and while it reaches users gradually, you can expedite the process by enabling the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option in your system settings. For those comfortable with advanced tools, ViVeTool also offers a method to activate the new menu immediately.
The redesign can certainly be disorienting at first glance, a sentiment echoed across social media where users have expressed surprise. The new interface is divided into three distinct areas: Pinned, Recommended, and All. By default, the Pinned section displays two rows, each capable of holding up to eight of your chosen applications. The Recommended area shows recently used files and apps, though it may also include promoted suggestions from the Microsoft Store; thankfully, this entire section can be turned off if you prefer a cleaner look. A significant usability improvement is that the All apps list is now immediately visible, eliminating the need for an extra click. Apps are automatically sorted into categories like “Productivity,” mirroring the organizational style found on many smartphones.
While the new Start menu offers greater adaptability in its overall design, it comes with some limitations. The menu size now scales automatically based on your screen resolution, but users cannot manually set a preferred fixed dimension. You can, however, customize the view within the All apps section, switching from the default Category View to a straightforward alphabetical Grid View. Microsoft experimented with numerous designs before finalizing this layout, which aims to balance familiarity with modern functionality. Despite these refinements over previous versions, some users find the customization options still lacking, leading to continued popularity for third-party alternatives like Start11 or utilities within PowerToys.
The evolution of the Start menu reflects decades of interface design changes. Whether this latest iteration feels like a step forward, a step back, or a combination depends largely on personal workflow and preference. Its integration with services like Phone Link, a section that can be minimized, highlights a push toward a more connected ecosystem. As with any major software change, it requires a period of adjustment, but the underlying goal is a more responsive and intuitively organized hub for your daily computing tasks.
(Source: Windows Central)
