Ever since Windows 11 launched, the redesigned Start menu has been a major point of contention for users. While some appreciated its modern look, millions missed the granular layout flexibility of older Windows versions. The “Recommended” section, in particular, frequently drew criticism for taking up too much screen real estate with unwanted file histories.
Microsoft has officially listened to the community. In a major update announced for Windows Insiders, Microsoft is introducing unprecedented layout control, new privacy settings, and a complete smart overhaul to how the Start menu populates content.
Whether you want a strictly minimal experience or a dense powerhouse layout, here is how Microsoft is putting you back in control of the Windows 11 Start menu.
1. Clean Layout Control: Section-Level Toggles
Today, trying to clear out or customize different parts of the Start menu requires navigating deep into several separate menus in the Windows Settings app. If you want to clear your pinned apps, you have to manually unpin them one by one.
Microsoft is radically simplifying this experience by introducing independent, section-level toggles. In the upcoming update, users will get a clear, single switch for the three primary zones of the Start menu:
Pinned
Recommended
All Apps
This means if you want a ultra-minimalist, “pins-only” setup, you can simply toggle off Recommended and All, leaving you with a sleek, distraction-free grid of just your favorite applications.
2. Decoupled File Recommendations (No More File Explorer Bugs)
One of the most frustrating limitations of the current Windows 11 setup is the linked nature of privacy settings. Currently, if you turn off the “Recommended” section in the Start menu to hide your recent files, Windows automatically disables jump lists and recent file tracking inside File Explorer as well.
The new update completely decouples these two systems. You can now cleanly disable file recommendations on your Start menu to eliminate desktop clutter, without losing your helpful recent file history when you actually open File Explorer to get to work.
3. Choose Your Size: Small vs. Large Start Menus
Currently, the Windows 11 Start menu automatically scales and adapts based on the resolution and scaling factor of your display. While this works fine for single-monitor setups, it often leads to jarring visual inconsistencies for power users who plug their laptops into various ultra-wide external displays or compact portable monitors.
To solve this, Microsoft is adding native Start menu size settings. Users can explicitly choose a Small or Large preference. Once set, your chosen layout size will remain perfectly consistent across different displays whenever possible.
4. Enhanced Presenter Privacy: Hide Name and Profile Picture
With remote work, screen-sharing, and live-streaming more popular than ever, privacy on the desktop is paramount. Opening the Start menu during a Microsoft Teams meeting or a Twitch stream instantly broadcasts your full name and profile picture to everyone watching.
To address this, Windows is adding a quick privacy toggle that lets you completely hide your name and profile picture from the bottom corner of the Start menu. This gives users an added layer of anonymity when presenting or sharing screens in professional or public environments.
5. Goodbye “Recommended,” Hello “Recent”
For users who prefer keeping the content feed active at the bottom of the Start menu, Microsoft is giving the section a major quality upgrade, starting with a rebrand. The section is officially being renamed to “Recent” to more accurately reflect what it shows.
More importantly, Microsoft has rebuilt the underlying algorithms to improve file relevancy. The system will now better prioritize your chronological workflows, filtering out less relevant background files and cleanly highlighting:
Recently installed applications (keeping them highly visible so you can instantly access new downloads).
Highly relevant, recently edited files that match what you have actively been working on.
When Will the New Start Menu Be Available?
These changes are currently rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel.
Microsoft is leveraging this testing pool to gather user feedback and fine-tune the visual polish before deploying the update to the general public. Once the update hits your machine, you will be able to find all of these new options centralized under Settings > Personalization > Start.
What do you think of these new changes? Will you be switching to a minimal “pins-only” layout? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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