Don’t Like the Windows 11 Start Menu? Here’s How to Customize It

If you’re feeling like your Start Menu is looking a little drab, then the good news is you can customize it. There’s never been a better time, either. Recent Windows 11 feature updates have focused on repairing trust with its users and improving the Windows 11 experience. This includes improving quality of life changes like the taskbar and Start Menu with fresh updates.

In this article, we’ll be looking at how to customize Start Menu (Windows 11).

More Control for Users

Windows 11’s initial Start Menu was criticized roundly for being very limited in its customization options and the promotion of content that users didn’t want or need, and earned it some derogatory nicknames from some users.

Following backlash surrounding this and the forced integration of AI into every conceivable part of Windows 11, Microsoft has responded to falling market shares by aiming to enhance the experience for users. By the time you read this, there may be even more ways to customize Windows 11 Start Menu.

How to Customize Start Menu (Windows 11) in Different Ways

Let’s get straight into Windows 11 Start Menu customization. Most of your customization options can be found in the “Personalization” section of Settings, in the “Start” subsection. Let’s take a closer look:

Layout

Windows 11 now offers you three different presets for the Start Menu. You can choose from:

• A default blend of pinned apps, files, and recommendations.
• More recommendations from Microsoft.
• More of your pinned apps and shortcuts.

Recents, Favorites, and Notifications

Right below your choice of Start Menu layout, you’ll see a list of sliders that you can use to further customize what appears:

• Show Recently Added Apps – This gives you quick access to your recently installed apps.
• Show Most Used Apps – If you want to get to your frequently used apps quickly, this option will have them front and center every time you hit the Windows key.
• Show Recently Opened Items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer – This option operates much the same as “most used apps,” except with files and folders recently opened and used.
• Show Account Related Notifications Occasionally in Start – Any recent notifications related to your user account can show up in the Start Menu in addition to being found in your regular notifications.

Folders

Right near the bottom of the Start Personalization menu, you’ll see the “Folders” option. This allows you to add certain preset folders to the area between your account profile and the Power icon.

At the time of writing, options include Settings, File Explorer, Documents, and more. This is just another way to have quick access to important folders and menus. To enable any, simply drag the slider next to it to “On.”

Shuffling Your Apps

If you have apps you want to move around in your Start Menu, you can easily do so by dragging and moving, or using the context menu:

Step 1. Right-click the pinned app you want to move.

Step 2. Select “Move to top” or simply click and drag the icon.

Step 3. The app will be shifted.

You can also click “Unpin from Start” to remove any apps you don’t want to see.