Every major Windows update since Windows 8 has redesigned the Start menu, and Windows 11 is no exception. This time around, though, Microsoft has taken a radical approach: the taskbar is centered, the Start menu has no live tiles, and only has two sections - Pinned Apps and Recommendations.
If you find yourself unhappy with the new look and feel of your Start menu, you can make a few changes to improve it, or remove it entirely.
Make the pinned application section actually usable
Let's start by customizing the now only major part of the Start menu (RIP Live Tiles). In the Pinned section, you'll see a list of apps assigned to the Start menu. You can click the " All Apps " button to see a list of all installed apps. But by default, the Pinned section only shows you a list of mostly Microsoft apps. After setting up your computer, we recommend unpinning default apps and pinning the ones you actually want to use.
Right-click on any app in the pinned section and select the “ Unpin from Start ” option. Go to the "All Apps " section, right-click on any app you want to pin, and select " Pin to Start." "
Once you've pinned everything you want, drag and drop to rearrange the apps as needed.
Remove bloatware
If you just bought a new Windows 11 laptop, chances are it came with a bunch of outdated software that's also clogging up your Start menu. Honestly, do you really need to see TikTok in your Start menu every time you try to search for work apps?
Thankfully, Microsoft has made it easy to remove this bloatware. Go to the Pinned section and right-click on any app you want to uninstall. Select Uninstall from the context menu and click Uninstall again from the pop-up window. Repeat this for all unwanted applications. For a more thorough uninstallation process, go to the "All Apps" section from the Start menu and repeat the same steps.
Disable recommendations section
According to Microsoft, the star of the Start menu is the new Recommendations section. This section will show you recent files, new apps, and app suggestions. But it doesn't always hit the mark. You can't completely remove this part, but you can at least make it less prominent.
Go to Settings > Personalization > Start and disable " Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer." "
Add quick access folders and shortcuts to the Start menu
In the lower right corner of the Start menu, you'll find the small power button. But it’s so lonely outside. Give little ones some company by adding shortcuts and quick access to folders at the bottom of the Start menu.
Go to Settings > Personalization > Start > Folders . Enable the features or folders you want to view. (We recommend adding Settings , File Explorer , Downloads , and Personal Folders .)
Move the start menu back to the left
It's not just the start menu design that's new. This is also the placement. If you don't like the Start menu being right in the middle of the screen, you have the option of moving it back to the left corner.
Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Behavior . Here, switch from the “ Taskbar Alignment ” option to “ Left Alignment ”.
Right-click to see an actual useful menu
There's a secret Start menu that's arguably much more useful than the default Start menu. Right-click on the Start button and you will see a list of options. From here, you can quickly open Settings, Task Manager, Terminal, Desktop, and more.
Create the start menu of your dreams with Start11
Even after making these changes, you may still feel like it's not enough. If you can't make the Windows 11 Start menu work for you, it's time to go back. Install the Start11 app (free for 30 days, then $5.99). This app will provide you with a familiar Windows 10 style start menu. You get a similar two-pane interface, customizable menus, a search field at the bottom, and more.
Plus, you can customize it as needed. If you want, you can even return to the full-screen Windows 8-style Start menu.
Use ExplorerPatcher to create a simple start menu
ExplorerPatcher is a free, open-source utility that restores the taskbar, Start menu, and File Explorer from Windows 10. It's a very simple one-click utility that's extremely customizable. You can use it to return to the small and simple Start menu. Click here for more details on how to use ExplorerPatcher.
Use StartAllBack to make the Windows 11 Start menu even better
StartAllBack is another full-featured Start Menu replacement that focuses more on tweaks. You can have a Windows 7 theme if you want, but the great thing about this app is the vast number of changes you can make to the Windows 11 Start menu.
You can change taskbar icons, restore app labels, center app icons, and keep the Start menu on the left. There are also themes for Windows 7 and Windows 10 style Start menus.
Ignore the Start menu and use the PowerToys Run launcher
Here's a radical idea: Stop using the Start menu altogether. Ask yourself, how useful is it? There's no way to actually disable the Start menu, but you can ignore it and use something better. For this purpose, we recommend the PowerToys Keyboard Launcher. It's similar to Spotlight on the Mac, allowing you to launch applications, actions, and tasks from your keyboard.
Press Alt + Space to bring it up, then type to open an app, website, or do some math. Here are the best PowerToys shortcut keys you need to know.
