Windows 11 Start Menu Update: A Major Change Users Have Been Waiting For

Early access to new features is one of the best features of being a Windows Insider. It enables users to test changes before they are made public. I just tested a new feature that will be included in next Windows 11 Start Menu Update. This small change could finally address one of the most common complaints users have had.

The Start menu is used a lot in Windows 11 but it hasn’t been perfect. Many users, including myself, have pointed out issues like clutter. This new update brings a cleaner, more organized look that makes it easier to find and launch apps.

If Microsoft includes the Start Menu Update in the final version of Windows 11, it might bring about a significant increase in usability. It’s encouraging, and I hope to see more positive improvements like this one in the future.

Windows 11 Start Menu Update Finally Gives Users More Control

One of the most frustrating things about the Windows 11 Start menu is the Recommended section. Microsoft suggests apps, files and other information automatically, most of which I don’t require. I’ve had to manually clear the Start menu because of this, which frequently makes it appear cluttered, in order to maintain organization.

Now, with the new Windows 11 Start Menu Update available to Windows Insiders, Microsoft is testing some much-needed improvements. The latest version offers a more flexible Start menu layout. It’s not fully customizable like what you get with third-party tools such as Start11, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

The best part of this update is the ability to turn off recommendations for apps, files, and more. In older versions, turning off the “Show recommendations” setting didn’t actually remove everything. But with this update, Microsoft has finally fixed that issue — at least for now.

It may seem like a small change, but it makes a big difference in how clean and personalized the Start menu feels. If this feature stays in the final version, Windows 11 Start Menu Update could be a major quality-of-life improvement for users.

Windows 11 Start Menu Update Introduces a Smarter, More Organized View

Seeing all of your programs on the main screen is another useful feature of the Windows 11 Start Menu Update. Instead of clicking the “All apps” button and switching to a new view, you can now just scroll through your pinned apps—and even see recommendations if you want to keep them.

This small change makes the Start menu much easier to use. For me that extra step to switch views always felt unnecessary, and I’m glad it’s finally being improved.

Overall, this update makes the Start menu more useful and efficient. If you use it often during the day, like I do, these changes really help create a smoother experience.

Windows 11 Start Menu Update Is Currently Limited to Windows Insiders

Right now, the Windows 11 Start Menu Update is only available in the latest Dev and Beta builds for Windows Insiders. Microsoft hasn’t officially announced these changes, and they’re not turned on by default. That means they’re still being tested and might not be available for everyone anytime soon.

To try them out I had to use a tool called ViVeTool along with some PowerShell commands. This tool lets you turn on hidden features in Windows but you need to know the exact feature codes to do it. Since these features are still hidden it’s clear that Microsoft isn’t ready to roll them out widely—not even to all Insiders.

That said, with Microsoft’s 50th anniversary and the Build conference coming up in May, there’s a chance we’ll hear more about these Start Menu improvements soon. But from my experience, not every test feature makes it to the final version.

Windows 11 Start Menu Changes Suggest Microsoft Is Paying Attention

The Windows 11 Start Menu Update feels like a direct response to years of user feedback. Ever since Windows 11 launched, users have been asking for more control over the Start menu. Now, with Windows 10 support ending in October, this is Microsoft’s chance to show that Windows 11 is truly ready to become the main operating system for everyone.

That said, not everyone is fully convinced. Even as someone who has used Windows 11 since the first Insider builds, I remain cautiously optimistic. Giving users a cleaner, single-panel layout and the option to remove recommendations is a great move—especially as Microsoft celebrates 50 years of Windows.

However, the fact that these features are still hidden and require tools like ViVeTool to enable raises some questions. Is Microsoft serious about rolling them out widely, or is this just another limited test?

Last year, Microsoft stated that it had no plans to let users fully disable recommendations. So, either their position has changed, or they’re using this update to quietly test how users respond before making a final decision.

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Windows 11 Updates Show Promise, But I’m Not Fully Convinced Yet

I really hope this version of the Windows 11 Start Menu Update makes it to the final release. It fixes some real usability issues without overcomplicating things, and that’s exactly what we need.