Windows 11 Start Menu Gets Major Overhaul in Latest Insider Build
Microsoft is rolling out significant updates to the Windows 11 Start menu for Insiders, introducing a modular, resizable design and new customization options. The latest build allows users to hide recommendations, resize the menu, and toggle sections.
Microsoft has begun rolling out a substantial update to the Windows 11 Start menu for users in the Experimental Channel, introducing a more personalized and flexible user interface. Build 26300.8553 brings a raft of changes aimed at giving users greater control over their Start menu layout, including the ability to resize the entire menu and independently show or hide specific sections.
The most notable change is the introduction of section-level toggles, allowing users to selectively display or hide sections like "Pinned," "Recommended," and "All apps." This modular approach means users can tailor the Start menu to their specific needs, removing clutter or prioritizing frequently used content. Previously, users had limited control over the layout, often being presented with a fixed arrangement of sections.
Enhanced Customization and Navigation
Further enhancing personalization, the update allows users to opt out of displaying their name and profile picture directly within the Start menu, contributing to a cleaner look for those who prefer it. The "Recommended" section has also been renamed to "Recent," aligning with user expectations for recently accessed files and applications. The Settings page for the Start menu has also been redesigned to accommodate these new options, making it more intuitive to manage preferences.
In addition to Start menu improvements, the latest build also includes enhancements to the search functionality. Users can now more easily discover files with compound names or content by searching for substrings. For instance, typing "april" could surface files like "MeetingNotesApril," and "status" could find "ProjectStatusReport," streamlining the process of locating specific documents.
Microsoft's ongoing efforts to refine the Windows experience are also evident in the Beta Channel with build 26220.8544. This release introduces consistent, solid "donut" spinners across various Windows operations such as booting, logging in, restarting, shutting down, and updating. This visual unification aims to provide a more cohesive and modern user experience, improving perceived reliability and consistency across critical system functions.
The company is also refining the printing experience with the introduction of "Windows Ready Print." New printer installations will default to using the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) where supported, simplifying setup and enhancing reliability. Users will find a new toggle in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Default install printers using Windows Ready Print, offering control over this default behavior. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize the printing platform within Windows, ensuring a smoother and more dependable printing process for users.
These updates underscore Microsoft's commitment to iterative improvements for Windows 11, driven by feedback from its Insider program. The focus on modularity and personalization in the Start menu, combined with visual consistency and streamlined functionalities like search and printing, aims to create a more user-centric operating system. The ability to resize the Start menu, a feature many users have requested, further demonstrates Microsoft's responsiveness to community demands.