Windows 11 Start Menu Overhaul: The Good, the Bad, and What’s Still Missing

Microsoft is once again reshaping the Start Menu experience in Windows 11—this time with a clear focus on decluttering and providing more user control. The latest changes, now live in recent Beta builds for Windows Insiders, aim to streamline the interface, remove the controversial “Recommended” section, and introduce new companion elements like the Phone Link panel. However, while these efforts offer more customization, they also raise new concerns, particularly around layout efficiency and desktop space usage.

Here’s a summary of what’s changing, what works well, and what still needs refinement as Microsoft continues to iterate on one of the most used elements in Windows.

the (Approx. 30 Lines)

Microsoft is continuing its efforts to revamp the Start Menu in Windows 11, focusing on decluttering and simplifying the user interface.
A new Beta build introduces more toggles, finally allowing users to fully remove the “Recommended” section—a longstanding complaint since Windows 11 launched.
This update removes not only the Recommended apps but also the old layout cards that made the Start Menu feel busy and restricted.
Ironically, the Start Menu itself is now larger than before, especially with the new changes to the “All apps” section, which expands its footprint on the screen.
Even at 125% display scaling, the Start Menu now appears oversized and unnecessarily spacious.
The new Phone Link companion panel—first spotted by @PhantomofEarth—is a fresh addition, accessible via a small phone icon next to the Start menu search bar.
Users can toggle this panel on and off, even if it’s pre-enabled in the system settings.
While this gives more flexibility, the larger Start Menu and added panels consume a significant portion of the desktop, which may hinder multitasking.
The article suggests more customization should be available for resizing sections like “Pinned” and “All apps.”
A dynamic layout setting such as 50-50 or 70-30 split between these sections could improve usability, particularly for users with many apps.
Despite the new “Name Grid” layout, horizontal space is often wasted in alphabetic rows without apps, making the interface look empty and inefficient.
These updates are currently in Beta, so the design is not yet final.
Users still prefer the traditional Category layout or older Windows 10-style app lists due to faster access and less screen real estate usage.
There’s speculation that Microsoft might be testing multiple layout styles behind the scenes.
Overall, the changes are a step in the right direction, especially for users who disliked the lack of control over what appeared in their Start Menu.
But there’s room for improvement—particularly in scaling, layout customization, and information density.

What Undercode Say: (Analytical Breakdown, 40 Lines)

The latest iteration of the Windows 11 Start Menu highlights Microsoft’s ongoing struggle to strike a balance between aesthetics, functionality, and user preference. While the removal of the Recommended section is a welcomed win, the consequences of this “clean-up” effort are not all positive.

Pros:

User Customization: Finally offering toggles to remove the Recommended section gives users a sense of control that was missing from previous builds.
Sleek Integration: The new Phone Link companion panel is a nice touch for those deeply integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem—especially users syncing Android devices.
Dynamic Access: A toggleable Phone Link panel allows users to declutter their Start Menu on demand, preserving valuable screen space.

Cons:

Bloat in Disguise: Ironically, by trying to simplify the Start Menu, Microsoft has unintentionally expanded it. The layout now covers a significant portion of the screen—especially at higher scaling settings.
Lack of Modular Control: While users can remove sections, they cannot resize or reorganize existing modules such as “Pinned” and “All apps.” This rigidity limits personalization.
Wasted Space: The new Name Grid layout feels inefficient. Empty horizontal space between sparse alphabetic app groups adds to the visual clutter without offering functional value.
No Legacy Options: Users who preferred the Windows 10 app list are still left with no real alternative—click-heavy navigation and visual overload persist.
Unfinished Feel: Given the changes are in Beta, some UI elements feel experimental. Microsoft may still be testing various concepts without committing to a final direction.

Recommendations from Undercode:

Introduce modular customization with adjustable layout ratios (e.g., 50/50 or 70/30) between Pinned and All apps.
Offer classic and compact Start Menu layouts as a permanent user setting—bringing back a streamlined version of the Windows 10 app list.
Provide a “compact view” for accessibility users or professionals who prefer minimal screen interference.
Improve the responsiveness of the layout—allow Start Menu size and proportions to adapt based on user screen size and resolution.
Test AI-enhanced Start Menu predictions, but keep them optional. Users value control over automation.
Collect user feedback directly through the Settings UI—allow users to vote on layout prototypes from within Insider builds.
Enable full transparency or blur effects to reduce the visual bulk of the Start Menu on high-resolution screens.

The redesign has potential, but unless Microsoft streamlines its intentions and provides true layout flexibility, this could be yet another redesign that misses the mark for power users.

Fact Checker Results:

✅ The new Start Menu design is currently in Beta, confirmed through Insider build releases.
✅ The “Recommended” section can now be fully disabled, a feature long requested by users.
⚠️ The Start Menu is not actually smaller—despite simplification, it occupies more screen space than previous versions.

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References:

Reported By: https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/04/06/windows-11s-start-menu-redesign-almost-covers-the-full-screen-but-you-can-disable-it/
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