Microsoft's Windows 11 is receiving a major Start menu redesign, rolling out with the November 11 Patch Tuesday update. This marks the first significant change to the Start menu since 2021.
New Layout Features
The updated Start menu introduces a scrollable format. This allows users to access all their apps from the main screen. The All apps section is no longer a separate page.
- Two UI options: a categories view and a grid view.
- Categories view groups apps by type and features most-used apps prominently.
- Grid view maintains A–Z order with a wider layout.
- Categories require a minimum of three apps; smaller groups default to "Other."
Display Adaptability
The Start menu adapts based on screen size. Larger displays can show more app columns in the Pinned and All sections, while smaller screens display fewer.
Furthermore, the Pinned area reduces to a single row if few apps are pinned. Recommendations in the Start menu can be hidden by adjusting Settings > Personalization > Start.
Known Issues and Requirements
Some users may find the Start menu blocking 60–70% of the screen on low-resolution devices. Adjusting the display scale can mitigate this issue. Currently, users cannot create custom categories, resulting in many apps being categorized as "Other."
The new Start UI is part of Builds 26200.7019 and 26100.7019 or newer. The rollout of this update will continue gradually.
