Windows 11 Start Menu Becomes Modular and Resizable: What's Changing

Microsoft has started rolling out new updates for the testing branches of Windows 11, introducing heavy changes to the user interface and the operation of some key elements of the operating system. The main novelty comes from build 26300.8553 within the Experimental Channel, the section previously known as Dev, which fulfills Redmond's promises regarding the customization of the taskbar and the Start Menu.

The update introduces a modular logic within the Start Menu. Users can now independently enable or disable specific sections, modifying the display of the Favorites, Recommended, and All Apps elements through dedicated selectors in the redesigned settings page. The new separate management allows, for example, to completely remove file and application suggestions without losing the functionality of the jump list. The "Recommended" section also changes its name, officially being renamed "Recent" both within the menu and in the system settings.

New Features Coming to Windows 11, Along with a Customizable Start Menu

From a purely visual standpoint, the Start Menu gains three resizing options, allowing users to force a small or large layout instead of the automatic default configuration. For those seeking greater privacy at work or during screen sharing, the ability to hide the username and profile picture has been added. On the taskbar front, Microsoft has fixed some graphical glitches related to positioning it in alternative areas of the screen, simultaneously enabling recall via touch gestures from either side. The build also fixes a known issue related to the "Reset this PC" function, which could cause the procedure to hang unless the cloud download (Cloud PBR) option was explicitly selected.

Alongside the Experimental channel, the Beta channel has received build 26220.8544, focused on visual refinement and device management. Microsoft has introduced a solid loading indicator in the shape of a donut (referred to as "donut spinner"), which standardizes the visual experience during startup, login, reboot, shutdown, and update installation, replacing old graphical elements inherited from previous versions of Windows to align with current design guidelines.

This build also marks the debut of Windows Ready Print, the new name for the modern printing platform. The system implements a dedicated switch in the Settings path, Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners to force the installation of compatible printers via the standard IPP protocol. If the option is active, the operating system bypasses traditional installation methods to enhance the reliability of the process, following the company’s roadmap that anticipates the gradual deprecation of third-party drivers.

Both builds share an enhancement of the integrated search algorithm, named Search by Substring. This feature indexes files allowing the detection of items with compound or complex names by simply typing part of the word, making it easier to locate documents like reports or meeting notes without needing to enter the exact string of text.