Upcoming Changes to the Windows Start Menu: A Fresh Look Ahead
The Start menu serves as the hub for navigating all facets of a Windows computer, from applications and files to system settings. Microsoft appears poised to introduce a significant overhaul of this critical interface. Early versions of the operating system have revealed potential updates, shared by the informant @phantomofearth, which are expected to roll out broadly in the future.
Currently, the Start menu features a search bar at its top, followed by two main areas: pinned applications and recommended items, which typically include recently opened files and utilized apps. Users can expand these sections with a click to view additional options.
Source: DailyHackly
The revised Start menu being tested promises greater visibility of installed applications. It retains pinned apps and recommendations but adds a comprehensive list of every application installed, eliminating the need for a secondary click to access this feature. Users can toggle between viewing the applications in a conventional alphabetical format, a grid organized by application name, or a categorized grid, somewhat akin to the App Library found on iOS devices.
Additional customization features in the new Start menu allow users to increase the size of the pinned apps section or entirely hide the recommendations area—options that were not previously available. This creates a more tailored experience for users while sacrificing some screen real estate.
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Initial responses to these anticipated updates have largely been favorable, particularly regarding the quicker access to the full app list. The search box remains prominent at the top for swift navigation to specific applications, enhancing user convenience.
The timeline for widespread availability of these updates remains unclear. Given their significance, Microsoft may opt to refine the new interface before public rollout, meaning the final version could differ from what is currently observed in test builds.
Exploring the New Start Menu
While many will likely choose to wait for the official rollout of the revamped Start menu, those eager to experience it sooner can do so, albeit with some caveats. Engaging with beta software can involve risks, so it’s advisable to avoid using your primary computer for this purpose.
Begin by enrolling in the Windows Insider Program at no cost: sign up here using the Microsoft account tied to your device. Follow the on-screen prompts, and navigate to the Windows Update settings to select the beta channel.
Source: DailyHackly
Following this, new updates should become available to install, leading to the beta iteration of Windows 11 post-restart. As of now, the updated Start menu feature is not activated in the beta channel, although evidence of its presence has been discovered in the operating system’s code. To unlock this functionality, further adjustments are necessary.
Employ a third-party tool known as ViVeTool, which can be downloaded from this link. Once operational on your system, access Advanced Options or press F12, then enable the following features based on @phantomofearth’s guidance: 49221331, 47205210, and 49402389. If issues arise, try activating 48433719 before the others.
Source: DailyHackly
After a subsequent restart, the new Start menu should become visible, along with additional customization options located in Settings under Personalization > Start. Here, there’s the option to disable both recommended and pinned entries, displaying only the complete list of installed applications—akin to the layout seen in Windows 8.
Following several hours spent experimenting with the updated Start menu, it certainly appears to offer a more extensive experience, presenting all applications readily without excessive clutter. The newfound flexibility in customization options is commendable, allowing for adjustments to suit individual preferences.
