Microsoft is finally taking action on the Win11 start menu that has been used for many years. This change is quite significant, especially for those users who are tired of the "recommended" column and users with large screens.
Core changes in the new menu
The most outstanding feature of the new menu is that it can make full use of the space provided by the screen, and then integrate all the content into a page that can be scrolled. You no longer need to operate like the old version, that is, you need to click the "All Apps" button to enter another page to view all programs.
Nowadays, pinned applications are on the same interface, all application lists are also on the same interface, and the newly added "category" view is also on this interface. Microsoft stated that this is done to make the operation smoother and reduce click steps, which will be more convenient especially on large-size displays.
Say goodbye to recommendation feeds once and for all
On the right side of the old menu, there is an area called "Recommendations" that displays recent files and recommended applications. Now it can finally be turned off. Many users think it is useless and takes up space, but Microsoft has given the option to remove it this time.
This means that your Start menu can become simpler, showing only the apps and programs you have actively pinned. This change responds to a long-standing complaint in the user community and is a practical improvement.
Introducing automatic classification views
A feature called "Category View" has been introduced into the new menu. The system will automatically classify installed applications into preset categories such as "Productivity," "Games," and "Social."
For example, the Edge browser and Office software may be placed in the "Productivity" category, while Xbox applications and games will be placed in the "Games" category. This design is designed to help you locate the content you need in a large number of applications more quickly, and is especially suitable for users with a large number of application installations.
Regret that cannot be customized
In terms of classification function, there is an obvious limitation: you can never create categories by yourself. Those fixed categories are preset by Microsoft, and all applications are automatically assigned by the system. If there is an application that does not belong to any of the preset categories, it will be placed in the "Other" category.
Microsoft has stipulated that there must be at least three applications in a certain category before they will be displayed. If you only install one or two applications of a certain type, such applications will also be merged into "Others". This makes users who pursue a highly personalized experience somewhat disappointed.
Privacy and localization
Regarding how classification works, Microsoft emphasized that the entire process is completed locally on the device. The system uses a JSON file on the device to identify and classify applications, and will not upload the software information you installed to the server.
Such a method of relying on local response operations has a certain effect in helping to protect user privacy at a certain level. At the same time, it also shows that updates to classifications may be pushed through system updates, rather than real-time adjustments in the cloud. For those users who attach great importance to data security, this is indeed a detail worthy of attention.
Future updates and expectations
With the Windows 11 24H2 update, this new Start menu will be launched and will become the default style of the future 25H2 version. Although it is not possible to create your own categories at the moment, Microsoft indicated that it may add functions such as creating folders in the Start menu in the future.
This suggests that the control users have over categories may be enhanced in future updates. This change can be seen as an attempt to modernize the interface. Microsoft will most likely continue to make adjustments after collecting user feedback.
What do you think of this new start menu that cannot be customized? Do you think automatic categorization is convenient enough, or do you think the lack of personalization options is a flaw? You are welcome to share your views. If you think the analysis is useful, please like and support it.
