Windows 11 Start Menu: Customizing the All Apps Section

The Windows 11 Start Menu has undergone a significant redesign, offering users a more streamlined and accessible experience for launching applications. A key component of this update is the “All apps” section, which displays installed applications in a scrollable format. Users can now choose how these apps are presented – through Categories, Grid view, or List view – enhancing personalization and ease of use.

Understanding the New Start Menu Layout

The redesigned Start Menu is divided into three primary sections: Pinned apps, All apps, and Recommended. The “All apps” section provides a comprehensive list of all installed applications, readily available without navigating to a secondary page. This accessibility is a core improvement in the latest Windows 11 builds.

View Options for the All Apps Section

Windows 11 offers three distinct views for the “All apps” section:

• Category View: This is the default view, automatically grouping apps by category for quick access. Categories are formed when at least three apps fall into a specific grouping; otherwise, apps are placed in an “Other” category.
• Grid View: This view presents apps alphabetically, similar to the List view, but utilizes more horizontal space for better visual scanning.
• List View: Apps are displayed alphabetically in a traditional list format.

The Start Menu remembers the user’s last selected view, ensuring a consistent experience each time it’s opened.

Removing the Category View Option

For users who prefer not to use the Category view, it can be removed from the “View” drop-down menu within the “All apps” section. This leaves only the Grid and List view options available.

Enabling the Redesigned Start Menu (If Not Available)

The redesigned Start Menu is currently available in Windows 11 builds 26200.5641 (Dev 24H2) and 26120.4250 (Beta 24H2). If you are using an earlier version and wish to try the new menu, you can enable it using the ViVeTool:

vivetool /enable /id:47205210

ViVeTool is an open-source tool that allows users to enable hidden features in Windows 11. More information on using ViVeTool can be found here.

Organizing Menus with Sections and Categories (General Principles)

Although specifically relating to online menus, the principles of organizing with sections and categories apply to user interface design generally. A well-organized menu, whether digital or within an operating system, helps users quickly find what they need. A two-level structure – sections and categories – is effective. Sections act as main navigation buttons, while categories group individual items within those sections. Learn more about menu organization.

Managing Menu Items in Business Profiles

Businesses can too leverage sections and categories to organize their menus on Google Business Profiles. This allows customers to easily browse offerings, grouped into sections like appetizers, desserts, and main courses. Updates to these menus typically take 24-48 hours to appear on Google Maps and Search. Find more information on managing menus on Google Business Profile.