How to Customize the Windows 11 Start Menu’s New Scrollable Layout

Windows users have often complained that the Start menu has become harder and harder to navigate with each new iteration. This update is meant to address these complaints head-on, with a customizable, scrollable layout. It will become globally available with the next November cumulative update for Windows 11.

Read on to find out all about the expected changes. We’ll also cover how to customize the new Start menu to your liking.

What’s New About the Windows 11 Start Menu?

One of the most noticeable changes about the new Start menu is that it’s overall larger. It takes up more space on your screen, as it presents all your most relevant apps at the top.

Moreover, the updated Start menu features the following:

• A scrollable “All” section
• Category and grid views
• An adaptable layout, with customizable “Pinned” and “Recommended” sections
• Phone Link integration, with a toggleable mobile side panel.

There have already been some updates in October that introduced exciting new features. However, these changes are part of the staged rollout for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 in November.

Still, you can get this layout earlier by installing optional updates. It’s a non-security update called KB5067036, released on October 28.

Additionally, the Microsoft Design team tried to address user requests for:

• Easier app discovery
• More control
• Smarter suggestions
• Clear mobile separation.

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of these features.

How to Customize the New Windows 11 Start Menu

The updated Start menu unifies three app sections: Pinned, Recommended, and All. By default, it will display all three at once, which might take up a lot of your screen. The layout size depends on your resolution. Unfortunately, you can’t manually adjust it as of yet.

However, there are plenty of other things you can tweak and customize. Let’s go over the three main sections together.

Pinned

You can see your pinned apps right at the top of the Start menu. By default, it will show two rows, up to eight pins per row.

But if that doesn’t suit you, you can also make it display more or fewer apps. Simply select the top-right Show all or Show less button to do so.

Recommended

According to Microsoft Design, the new Recommended section is supposed to be more dynamic, with more relevant recommendations. It will display up to six of your most recent files and apps, right when you need them.

However, if you don’t find it that helpful, you can always disable it in the Settings. Go to Windows Settings > Personalization > Start, and toggle off all the options in the Recommended section.

All

This section is now scrollable and part of the main menu. Best of all, you can now switch between three different views: categories, grid, or A-Z list. Windows automatically groups similar apps in Category view.

Select the View button in the top-right corner to look at all the options.

Conclusion

So, now you’re familiar with the new Start menu look. What do you think? Do you like it, or are you already looking for alternatives? The biggest changes so far are the scrollable layout, the overall larger size, and immediate access to all your apps.

Feel free to check Windows updates to get it right now if you’re interested.