Windows 11’s Start Menu just got smarter
A significant update is coming to the Start menu in Windows 11, and those enrolled in the Windows Insider Program’s Dev Channel can try it out today.
One of the standout changes is the revamped “All apps” section, which is now more easily accessible. It comes with two display options: the default Category view and an alternative Grid view. Category view organizes apps into logical groups automatically, much like what you’d find on a smartphone. Grid view, on the other hand, lists apps alphabetically and makes better use of the Start menu’s expanded layout.
Speaking of size, the Start menu now adapts to your screen dimensions. It can display up to eight columns of pinned apps, six recommended items, and four columns of categorized apps. Both the Pinned and Recommended sections are responsive, meaning they expand or shrink depending on how much content you’ve added.
Another notable improvement is the increased control over recommendations. In earlier versions of Windows 11, the Recommended section could be turned off only partially, leaving an empty placeholder. With this update, you can now completely disable the recommendations area for a cleaner look.
The Start menu also gets smarter when paired with your mobile device. Thanks to integration with Phone Link, you can now sync content from your Android or iOS phone directly to an add-on in the Start menu. This feature is available in most regions, with support for the European Economic Area coming soon.
In addition to the Start menu changes, this build introduces the option to choose which widgets appear on the Lock screen. Microsoft has shared the full list of updates and improvements in their latest Insider blog post.
