With the release of Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, Microsoft is unveiling a fundamentally redesigned Start Menu that operates seamlessly across all devices using a unified code base. A major highlight of this update is the introduction of an enablement package that activates new features without requiring a complete reinstallation of the operating system. This means users can transition to the significant 25H2 update swiftly, often with just a single restart.
Upon accessing the settings under “Personalization” and “Start”, users will discover several new options including “Show recently added apps”, “Show recommended files in Start”, and “Show websites from browsing history”. These features can be toggled on or off, allowing for a more tailored user experience in the Start Menu.
The previous iterations of the Start Menu distinctly separated the “Pinned”, “Recommended”, and “All apps” sections, requiring users to navigate between views. The new design in versions 24H2 and 25H2 merges these areas into a single, continuous, scrollable interface. This enhancement not only saves users time by reducing clicks but also provides a clearer overview of all applications, even if it requires more scrolling. The interface has been enlarged to maximize the usage of available screen space, allowing users to see more entries at a glance.
In previous versions, installed applications were displayed solely in an alphabetical list. The updated Start Menu allows users to choose from multiple layouts, including a classic list view, a grid view featuring horizontal tiles, and a category view. The category view automatically organizes programs into groups such as “Productivity”, “Communication”, “Creativity”, “Games”, and “Other”, based on the presence of at least three applications in each category. While this organization facilitates easier navigation, it currently lacks the ability for users to manually adjust categories or create custom groups.
Many users have expressed a desire to completely disable the “Recommended” section within the Start Menu. Microsoft has responded by integrating options that allow users to specifically hide recommendations. Under “Settings > Personalization > Start”, users can deactivate features such as “Show recently added apps”, “Show recommended files in Start”, “Show websites from browsing history”, and “Show recommendations for tips”. Disabling these options results in a cleaner Start Menu with just pinned applications and the full app list, thereby enhancing user control.
The pinned apps section by default displays two rows of icons. If users pin more applications, a “Show all” button appears. However, users can modify this behavior through the Start Menu settings by selecting “Show all pins by default”, which allows all pinned apps to be visible without additional clicks. This improvement significantly enhances accessibility to favorite programs. On larger displays, the new Start Menu can showcase up to eight applications or four app groups in a single row, while the recommended area now accommodates up to six items in two rows, with a dedicated page for recently used files.
A notable addition to the Start Menu is the sidebar for smartphone integration, enabled via the Phone Link tool that supports both Android and iOS devices. This feature allows users to read messages, manage calls, view photos, and share files between their PC and mobile devices. The “Send to my phone” option in the context menu facilitates direct transfer of images or documents. Users can enable this sidebar through the Start Menu settings by toggling “Show mobile device in Start Menu”. Additionally, users can control the visibility of the mobile integration through an icon located next to the search bar.
Within the Start Menu settings, various options allow users to tailor their experience. Besides the ability to hide recommendations and always display all pinned apps, users can also activate “Show most used apps”. This feature highlights frequently used programs in the recommendations area. Furthermore, folders such as “Settings” and “Explorer” can be displayed in the bottom left corner of the Start Menu, providing quick access to essential system functions. However, some users have reported inconsistencies in layout selections, with certain views not saving reliably after restarts.
As the new Start Menu continues to roll out, users may encounter various errors in individual builds. Reports indicate that after selecting the “List” view, the Start Menu may revert to a different display upon restart. Additionally, incorrectly generated categories may lead to empty symbols or excessive listings. Microsoft has acknowledged these bugs and is committed to resolving them. Touch functionality remains limited, with the swipe-up gesture and drag-and-drop capabilities exhibiting inconsistencies.
While the new Start Menu is already visible in insider builds, its activation will not occur simultaneously across all devices. Microsoft is implementing A/B testing, meaning some users will continue to use the old menu while others gain access to the new layout. Even after installing Windows 11 version 25H2, the Start Menu may not become available immediately. Users can activate the new features through the Enablement Package or manually using tools such as “ViveTool” with commands like “vivetool /enable /id:49402389” followed by a system restart. Additional features, including the mobile sidebar, can be activated via their respective IDs. However, given that Microsoft controls the rollout, some options may not be officially available until later.
