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A New Era of Start Menu Organization in Windows 11
Microsoft is reshaping how users interact with the Start menu in Windows 11 with the upcoming 25H2 update. While the new layout might appear sleek and minimalistic on the surface, it introduces a powerful backend system for app organization called “Categories.” This new structure groups apps into predefined categories like Productivity, Entertainment, and Music. However, what may surprise many is that this categorization isn’t powered by AI, cloud syncing, or even Microsoft’s server APIs. Instead, it relies entirely on a compressed 15MB JSON file, working offline without any real-time data fetching. Let’s dive into how this system operates and why it represents both innovation and limitation.
How the New Start Menu Works
The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update introduces a redesigned single-page, scrollable Start menu with a new way of organizing apps called “Categories.” Unlike folders or drag-and-drop groups, these categories are predefined by Microsoft. Users can’t create or edit them manually, which raises curiosity about how apps are sorted into dozens of groups.
The answer lies in a single 15MB JSON file hidden deep within Windows. This file is compressed by default but can be unpacked to reveal the logic behind the new Start menu structure. Independent tech researchers, like Albacore on X, have already analyzed the file and confirmed there are no AI systems or API calls involved. Instead, the JSON file maps Microsoft Store package family names to numeric codes, each corresponding to a specific category such as Productivity (0), Social (1), Creativity (2), and so on.
When a user installs an app, Windows looks up its package name in the JSON file, identifies the matching category, and places the app accordingly. For example, installing Windows Media Player will group it under “Music” if there are already two other apps in that category. This system remains entirely offline, using only local resources to manage, update, and even reorder apps within categories based on user behavior and app usage frequency.
Updates to this categorization system don’t require full OS updates. Microsoft can tweak the database through regular Windows or Microsoft Store updates. Additionally, the Start menu’s dynamic behavior reorders apps within categories automatically to prioritize frequently used ones. This function is also local and doesn’t rely on external servers.
While the feature adds a layer of smart organization, it currently lacks user customization. There’s no way to create or rename categories manually, a feature that power users are already requesting. Though feasible technically, Microsoft has not indicated when—or if—it will allow user-defined categories.
What Undercode Say:
Static Classification in a Dynamic World
The reliance on a static JSON file reflects Microsoft’s push for efficient, offline-native features. It removes the need for server queries or AI processes, ensuring faster performance and data privacy. But it also highlights a limitation in flexibility. While the system is streamlined and organized, it’s entirely top-down. Users have no voice in how their apps are categorized.
JSON Instead of AI: A Strategic Simplicity
Microsoft’s choice to avoid AI or cloud-based sorting is deliberate. This approach ensures stability, predictability, and local execution. But it also feels underwhelming in a tech era where AI personalization is the norm. Categorizing apps via a 15MB static file is effective, yet it doesn’t reflect individual user workflows, preferences, or multi-use apps that fit into more than one category.
A System That Learns, But Only a Little
The local reordering of apps within a category based on usage frequency is a smart touch. It shows Microsoft has some level of dynamic personalization in mind. Still, the lack of deeper customization—such as defining new categories or multi-tagging apps—limits its full potential. This semi-smart system leaves room for both frustration and improvement.
User Control Still Missing
The most glaring gap is user empowerment. Without the ability to create or rename categories, many users will feel restricted by Microsoft’s one-size-fits-all logic. A video editing tool might land under “Creativity,” but what if someone wants to group it under “Work” or “Freelance”? This lack of user flexibility is a missed opportunity, especially for power users or professionals.
Long-Term Implications
If Microsoft continues with this rigid structure, the Start menu could become less useful for people with diverse workflows. However, if future updates include support for user-defined categories or hybrid AI+JSON structures, the Start menu could evolve into something far more powerful—blending static efficiency with dynamic personalization.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Microsoft is not using AI or server-based systems for Start menu categorization
✅ App grouping relies entirely on a local, compressed 15MB JSON file
❌ Users currently have no control over creating or editing custom categories
📊 Prediction:
As users engage more with the new Start menu, Microsoft will likely face mounting feedback about the lack of customization. Given its technical feasibility and historical user demand, support for user-defined categories is expected to roll out in a future update, possibly by the end of 2025. However, unless it becomes a trending community demand, this feature may remain in long-term backlog limbo.
References:
Reported By: www.windowslatest.com
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