What’s New in the Windows 11 Start Menu?
Two unique layout choices for arranging all of your programs are now available in the windows 11 start menu update:
Name-Based Grid Layout
Using this option, your applications are arranged in a grid that is alphabetically organised. Because each program is shown as a tile, it is simpler to find and open apps by merely perusing a visually ordered grid. Imagine a simplified version of the classic basic list, but with a more contemporary, tile-based display style that would bring to mind Windows’s live tiles from earlier versions.
Category View Layout
Similar to how iOS arranges apps, the second option classifies apps by category. The UI seems cleaner with larger icons and a more open layout, making it perfect for customers who value a neat app ecosystem. Microsoft seems to be using some sort of linguistic model to organise programs into preset categories, even if you are unable to make your own unique categories. This ensures that comparable apps are positioned near to one other for easy finding.
These two alternatives offer versatility, satisfying the needs of both users who want a visually appealing, category-driven approach and those who prefer a strict alphabetical layout.
Microsoft confirms iOS-like Start menu layout for “All” apps in Windows 11
The “All” applications page in Windows 11 24H2 and even 23H3 will have a new Windows 11 Start menu layout that groups apps and games according to their category. You may now arrange your apps on the Start menu in two different ways. While the second option gives you a category view for applications, the first option lets you display apps in a Name-based Grid style.
Although Windows 11’s headline feature is not much altered by this year’s first major upgrade to the Windows 11 Start menu, some of you may find it appealing, particularly if you prefer an iOS category view or live tiles-like layout for programs.
The revamped “All” part of the Windows 11 Start menu was originally mentioned by Windows Latest in 2024.
Although Microsoft said that the functionality will be accessible on Windows 11 23H2 in the upcoming weeks.
Windows Latest is aware that Windows 11 24H2 will also receive the windows 11 start menu update style, even though it isn’t stated.
Let’s take a closer look at new Start in Windows 11
The new Windows 11 Start menu “All” tab may now present your applications in a grid that puts them in alphabetical order (Name grid), as seen in the picture above. Apps like Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Reader are displayed under the letter A, indicating that each software now has a tile icon. Additionally, a new “Category” view has been added, which classifies apps according to their various categories.
Larger icons give it a cleaner, more open appearance. It looks like little tiles, but don’t want to draw comparisons with the well-liked Windows Start live tiles. It also has a similar appearance to iOS apps that are categorised. Microsoft doesn’t let you make your own categories, and it’s probable that the corporation groups programs together using a Small language model.
At the moment, the Start menu displays a straightforward list of applications arranged alphabetically. Though it’s not well organised, each app gets its own symbol and text next to it in place of grid tiles. It is important to note that Microsoft has not yet released any information on the feature’s general availability and is still testing it with testers in the Beta Channel.
But according to Windows Latest, Microsoft may release the windows 11 start menu update for Windows 11 23H2 and 24H2 in as little as two months.
More Windows 11 Start menu changes are planned
Additionally, there will be other windows 11 start menu update in 2025 than this one.
A new sidebar for the Windows 11 Start menu that lets you see alerts, messages, and applications that have been launched on your Android phone was previously tested by Windows Latest, as seen in the picture above.
Additionally, you may now transmit files to your Android phone from the Start menu. This functionality operates over the current Phone Link integration and is optional.
