The Start menu on Windows has always been a trademark feature of Microsoft’s prized operating systems. With Windows 11, Microsoft has treated its users to the most extensive revamp of the Start menu yet. An intuitive redesign focusing on productivity is probably the best way to summarize the new Start menu.
Looking at all the new Windows 11, we can safely say that the reimagined Start menu is undoubtedly one of the highlight features. Read on as we take a closer look at the all-new Windows 11 Start menu and what you can expect of it.
What’s New In The Windows 11 Start Menu
The first time you look at the Start menu, you realize that Microsoft has put it through a severe overhaul. In Windows 11, the Start menu gets the center focus, and it is no longer hidden away as a small button on the bottom left corner of the screen (at least not by default).
The Start menu button, pinned apps, and the search bar are now located in the center of the redesigned taskbar. If you are not a fan of the centered icons, you can still reposition them on the taskbar, but you cannot reposition the taskbar from the bottom of the screen.
The Windows 11 Start menu is designed to boost productivity, and you can quickly access pinned apps, recommended apps, and files that make it easier to find what you need. The Start menu will use Microsoft 365 and cloud data to display the most recent files regardless of what device or platform you accessed them, which means files you viewed on an iOS or Android device will also show up.
At the very top of the Start menu, you have a search bar that you can use to search for files or programs quickly. Like Windows 10, the search bar starts displaying possible search results as soon as you start typing. You can also sort between Documents, Apps, Web results, and other matched results.
The Pinned apps section is a collection of your preferred frequent apps, and you can easily pin an app for quick access. Windows 11 users can use the All apps button to browse through all the programs installed on your Windows 11, and unlike previous versions of the Start menu, you do not have to scroll through a huge list looking for the program you need.
Dropped Windows 10 Start Menu Features
Among other Windows 11 deprecations, the Start menu in Windows 11 will no longer have named groups and app folders. Microsoft has also announced that the current Start menu layout is not adjustable, and it will continue to take up a significant chunk of your screen. Moreover, Windows 11 will not transfer pinned sites and apps if you are upgrading from Windows 10.
The most significant change is the removal of Live Tiles. As a result, you will no longer be able to view dynamic content from the Start menu. Instead, Widgets in Windows 11 will provide dynamic AI-powered content like weather, news, and more.
The Windows 11 Start Menu Gets A Major Revamp
After the first significant revamp in six years, the Start menu is one feature that we are sure all Windows users will appreciate. The Start menu is sleek, functional, and intuitive, ensuring that you remain focused and productive.
Windows 11 needed a much-needed makeover, and we’re glad that Microsoft decided to redesign the Start menu as well. Even if some design elements of Windows 11 resemble the macOS, it’s good to see Microsoft transitioning towards a more straightforward and cleaner UI.