Microsoft rolls out Windows 11 Start Menu updates
- Reference: 1749563226
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2025/06/10/microsoft_rolls_out_windows_11/
- Source link:
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Windows 11 Start Menu – sans Recommended ( Pic: Microsoft , click to enlarge)
Microsoft previewed these tweaks to the Start Menu [2]in May , and is now rolling them out to Windows Insiders as part of [3]Windows 11 build 26200.5641 .
"We're making it easier for you to launch your apps with our updated, scrollable Start menu," Microsoft said. The 'All' group is now at the top level, and the company has added two new views – category and grid view.
Sadly, there is no "Make it work like it used to" view.
The category view groups applications together; the most used apps are bubbled to the top. The grid view is ordered alphabetically, like list view, "but allows for better scanning of all your installed apps with more horizontal real estate."
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Microsoft has also recognized that some users have bigger screens, and is allowing the Start Menu to grow based on screen size, meaning a potential eight columns of pinned apps.
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Finally, it also includes the ability to collapse and expand mobile content, such as messages, via a button next to the Search box. However, the functionality only applies to connected Android and iOS devices in "most markets." European Economic Area users will need to wait until later in 2025.
Other changes in the release include more widget options for the lock screen and an update for the Gamepad layout of the Windows touch keyboard with "enhanced controller navigation." Handy, considering that Microsoft is pitching Windows 11 mobile gaming devices to users.
[7]Microsoft updates the Windows 11 Start Menu
[8]Microsoft cuts the Windows 11 bloat for Xbox handhelds
[9]KDE targets Windows 10 'exiles' claiming 'your computer is toast'
[10]Windows 11 market share stalls ahead of Windows 10 cutoff
While Microsoft's attempts to deal with some of the [11]longstanding complaints about the Windows 11 Start Menu are welcome, it is unlikely that users unhappy with the loss of functionality who failed to make the jump from earlier versions of Windows will be satisfied with the update. Yes, it will be possible to collapse the "Recommended" section, and "All" is now on the top level, but resizing the Start Menu manually? Nope, not possible.
There have long been third-party solutions to restore missing functionality from the Windows 11 Start Menu, but Microsoft simply adding a "make it work like it used to" option would be an admission that perhaps, just perhaps, some users were right all along. ®
Get our [12]Tech Resources
[1] https://regmedia.co.uk/2025/06/10/windows11_start_menu.jpg
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/07/microsoft_updates_the_windows_11/
[3] https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/06/09/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26200-5641-dev-channel/
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aEhWlWalzlvzusCQbemmGAAAAoQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aEhWlWalzlvzusCQbemmGAAAAoQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aEhWlWalzlvzusCQbemmGAAAAoQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/07/microsoft_updates_the_windows_11/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/09/windows_11_xbox_handhelds/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/04/kde_windows_10_exiles/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/03/windows_11_market_share/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/03/windows_11_start_great_again/
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Or.....
I'll still with bash, thank you
Just hammer the windows key and type the name of the program you want to run and press enter.
Ironically if you were just at a command prompt terminal, it would be even easier, wouldn't need to press the superfluous windows key.
Progress!
I use powertoys run for this (soon to be replaced by command palette)
alt+space by default, basically does the same as windows search but has way better performance, can search in open tabs, do quick math equations, etc.
Also for some apps i really struggle opening them through the windows search menu, it selects whatever it thinks is best for you, and it's usually wrong.
Just hammer the windows key
Because my carpal tunnel syndrome isn't bad enough already.
Keyboard? How quaint.
It's CLEAR that when they let the DEVs egos get in the way, the end user's get the shaft
I remember the days when software devs LISTENED to feedback and changed their course of thinking and coding. Now days, it seems like MS Devs have these HUGE Egos, and when they come up with something, even if thousands and thousands of end user's respond negatively to the change, they batten down their hatches and refuse to redo it or revert changes. And it's not funny, it's pathetic.
Re: It's CLEAR that when they let the DEVs egos get in the way, the end user's get the shaft
I think that it's the "Coloured Pencil department" that is the problem, not the Devs.
Re: It's CLEAR that when they let the DEVs egos get in the way, the end user's get the shaft
With widescreen monitors, it's unforgivable not being able to place the taskbar vertically.
Piss'n around
Just fix your fucking updates mess will you.
Just strip out the crap, you can do it for a Xbox branded handheld to use the cheapest useable components.
Or.....
Just use Open Shell!