In a nutshell: Microsoft is testing a redesigned Windows 11 Start Menu that ditches the dual-section design for a larger layout with everything on a single scrollable page, including All Apps, Pinned Apps, and Recommendations. The new Start Menu will also allow users to disable the annoying recommendations and customize the layout to match their style.
The new layout is hidden in the latest Windows 11 preview builds in the Dev and Beta channels, but reputable tipster @phantomofearth spotted the feature yesterday. The single-page layout puts the Pins and Recommendations at the top, with the All Apps list below. Scrolling the page will allow users to browse the installed apps without clicking the “All” button.
The best thing about the redesign is the ability to disable the Start Menu’s ‘Recommended’ section, which many users don’t like. To turn it off, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Start and then toggle off “Show recommended files in Start, recent files in File Explorer, and items in Jump Lists.” However this comes with a slight caveat.
Hidden in today’s Dev/Beta CUs: a major update to the Windows 11 Start menu! It has a new, larger layout with everything on one scrollable page, with the “All” list below recommendations – which can FINALLY be turned off! Pinned list is now limited to 2 rows, but can be expanded. pic.twitter.com/JkP3V2I5g6
– phantomofearth 🌳 (@phantomofearth) April 3, 2025
Windows Latest notes that the toggle also deactivates the Recommended/Recent files tabs in File Explorer. Hopefully, Microsoft will de-link the Recommended toggle from the Recent feed in File Explorer in the stable build since that is a more helpful feature. Of course, there are no guarantees that the experimental switch will make it to end users.
As seen from the video, the new Start Menu won’t be drastically different from the existing one. However, it will be a little taller and wider to accommodate every section in a single view. The revamped design should provide a cleaner, more streamlined view by getting rid of the cluttered interface of the current Start Menu.
Microsoft has yet to announce the redesign, but its inclusion in the latest Preview builds suggests the feature will likely roll out sometime this year. Either way, it’s good to see Microsoft finally listening to customer feedback and doing something to improve the user experience on Windows PCs.
