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Introducing a Smarter, Streamlined Start Menu Experience
Microsoft is preparing to roll out one of its most significant interface updates in the Windows 11 24H2 version — a completely redesigned Start menu. This fresh take on the Start experience rethinks how apps are displayed, how space is utilized, and how users interact with their software hub. Unlike the older, split-section interface, the new layout embraces a unified and scrollable page that intelligently organizes everything in one place.
The standout feature? The much-requested ability to remove the “Recommended” feed. For users who value control and minimalism, this is a welcome shift. In addition, Microsoft has introduced an automatic Category view that organizes your apps under predefined sections like Productivity, Creativity, Entertainment, and more. However, there’s a catch — personalization is still limited. While categories are preconfigured based on app type, users are currently unable to create their own custom groupings. Despite this limitation, the structured layout enhances discoverability and speeds up access to frequently used apps. The redesign is clearly optimized for larger screens and modern workflows, setting a new standard for user interface design in Windows.
A Unified Page with Category View Replaces Cluttered Navigation
In the previous Start menu, users had to navigate through separate areas like the “Pinned” section, the “All Apps” list, and the “Recommended” section. This fragmented experience often made the process of launching apps feel slower and more cumbersome. The 24H2 update addresses this by merging everything into a single, scrollable page. Users now get access to all installed apps at once, eliminating unnecessary clicks and making the experience more fluid and intuitive.
The new Category view divides apps into logical sections such as Utilities and Tools, Productivity, Games, Social, Creativity, Entertainment, and Information & Reading. Apps that don’t fit into these predefined slots fall under a catch-all “Other” category. This approach works well for users who value organization but don’t want to manually group their apps. On the downside, there’s no option yet for custom categorization — a decision that may disappoint power users and professionals who rely on personalized workflows.
Each of these categories comes prepopulated based on how Microsoft classifies software. For example, browsers like Chrome and Edge now live under Productivity, while Paint and Photos fall under Creativity. Entertainment apps like Netflix and Apple Music are placed in their respective category, ensuring users can locate their tools with minimal effort. Despite the lack of manual customization, this auto-grouping method aligns well with the average user’s expectations.
The removal of the Recommended feed has also sparked positive reactions. Users now gain more screen space for pinned or categorized apps without the clutter of unsolicited suggestions. This alone makes the update feel cleaner and more tailored to individual needs, particularly for professionals who demand efficiency.
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Efficiency vs. Personalization: A Balancing Act
The new Start menu in Windows 11 24H2 reflects a core philosophy Microsoft has been inching toward — streamline usability while preserving a familiar environment. By merging pinned apps, All Apps, and the Recommended feed into a single, scrollable pane, the experience becomes significantly less disjointed. For users who’ve long wanted a smarter, more usable Start menu, this update feels like a win.
However, there’s a nuance here that shouldn’t be overlooked. The inability to manually create custom categories hints at a broader shift: Microsoft seems to be prioritizing automation and AI-driven logic over individual control. While auto-generated categories cover most bases for mainstream users, they lack the flexibility demanded by power users. In a world where productivity often hinges on tailored workflows, restricting personalization may alienate a segment of advanced users.
Still, Microsoft’s categorization engine appears smart enough to make educated guesses about where each app belongs. The system correctly assigns browsers and AI tools to Productivity, entertainment apps to their proper media category, and even messaging platforms to Social. When apps don’t fit a mold, they land in the “Other” bucket — a less elegant solution, but one that ensures no app is left out of the visual structure.
The decision to finally allow the removal of the Recommended section speaks volumes. Microsoft has acknowledged years of feedback from users who felt that the feed was not only redundant but also intrusive. With more room for curated app layouts, users can now design their digital environment more consciously, even if category controls remain locked.
Another interesting observation is how this update caters to large-screen devices. The single-page scrollable menu works seamlessly on ultrawide monitors, tablets, and 2-in-1 devices, indicating that Microsoft is optimizing for hybrid productivity environments. The redesign also aligns with the company’s broader move toward AI integration, visible through apps like Copilot being categorized intelligently.
For now, the biggest limitation remains the lack of user-defined categories. As productivity software becomes increasingly personal, this shortcoming may drive some users toward third-party Start menu replacements, which still offer full customization. Whether Microsoft will eventually allow this feature remains unclear.
In essence, Windows 11 24H2’s Start menu update is a step in the right direction — but one that walks a fine line between simplicity and control. It’s clean, fast, and modern, but with slightly clipped wings.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ The new Start menu in Windows 11 24H2 features a scrollable unified page
✅ Microsoft has removed the Recommended section from the Start menu
❌ Users currently cannot create their own custom app categories
📊 Prediction:
Expect further personalization tools to arrive in future updates, possibly including custom categories due to growing user demand. If Microsoft continues aligning UI with user-centric feedback, 24H3 or 25H1 might finally introduce a fully customizable Start experience. Anticipate deeper AI integration and smarter app grouping as Windows evolves. 💡🧠🖥️
References:
Reported By: www.windowslatest.com
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