Microsoft is preparing a significant upgrade for the Windows 11 Start menu, bringing a host of customization options and smarter search capabilities aimed at improving everyday productivity. The latest update, currently rolling out through Insider channels, introduces a redesigned Start experience that gives users greater control over what appears in the Start menu while making file discovery faster than ever.
Windows 11 Start Menu Becomes More Personal
As part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to make Windows more user-centric, the company is introducing several highly requested Start menu improvements. These changes were first highlighted in Microsoft’s “Making Taskbar and Start More Personal” Insider announcement and are now becoming available to testers.
“Recommended” Section Renamed to “Recent”
One of the most noticeable changes is the renaming of the Recommended section to Recent. The new name better reflects the content displayed in this area, which primarily consists of recently opened files, apps, and documents.
The change aims to reduce confusion among users who often found the “Recommended” label unclear or misleading.
New Start Menu Customization Options
Microsoft is also giving users much more control over the Start menu layout.
Independent Section Controls
Users can now choose exactly what appears in Start with new section-level toggles that allow them to independently show or hide:
- Pinned apps
- Recent items
- All apps
This means users can create a cleaner Start menu tailored to their workflow without unnecessary sections taking up space.
Small, Large, or Automatic Start Menu Sizes
The updated Start menu introduces additional size options:
- Small Start menu
- Large Start menu
- Automatic (default)
The Automatic mode intelligently adjusts the Start menu layout based on usage patterns and available content, while Small and Large modes allow users to manually choose their preferred interface.
Hide Your Name and Profile Picture
For users who prefer a cleaner and more privacy-focused Start menu, Microsoft is adding the ability to hide:
- Account name
- Profile picture
This creates a more streamlined appearance and can be particularly useful on shared devices or work PCs.
Redesigned Start Menu Settings Page
To support the new customization features, Microsoft has redesigned the Start settings page.
The updated settings interface now places all Start-related options in a more organized layout, making it easier for users to manage:
- Start menu size
- Section visibility
- Personalization preferences
- Recent content settings
The redesigned page reflects Microsoft’s broader effort to simplify Windows settings while providing more granular control.
Windows Search Gets Smarter with Substring Matching
Beyond Start menu improvements, Microsoft is also enhancing Windows Search with a powerful new capability.
Search by Substring
Finding files with long or compound names is becoming significantly easier.
Previously, searching for files such as:
- MeetingNotesApril
- ProjectStatusReport
- BudgetPlanning2026
often required users to type the beginning of the filename.
With the new substring search feature, users can simply search for:
- “april”
- “status”
- “planning”
and Windows Search will surface the relevant files.
This improvement also extends to file content, helping users locate documents more quickly even when they only remember part of a word or phrase.
Why This Update Matters
The latest Windows 11 improvements address some of the most common complaints about the Start menu and Windows Search.
The ability to customize Start sections, select different menu sizes, hide profile information, and benefit from smarter search functionality makes Windows feel more flexible and personalized.
For power users, professionals, students, and everyday consumers alike, these updates should make navigating Windows 11 faster and more efficient.
Availability
The new Start menu customization options and enhanced Windows Search experience are currently appearing in Microsoft’s Experimental and Beta Insider channels. A wider rollout to stable Windows 11 users is expected in a future update after testing is completed.
As Microsoft continues refining the Windows 11 experience, these changes represent one of the biggest Start menu improvements introduced since the operating system launched.
Stay tuned to WinCentral for all latest news about Windows 11 and keep reading our full coverage here.
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