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NewApp Digest
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app categorization

Revealed: How Windows 11's new Start menu auto-categorizes your apps
Winsage
July 4, 2025

Revealed: How Windows 11’s new Start menu auto-categorizes your apps

Microsoft is redesigning the Start Menu in Windows 11 to include automatic app categorization. A 15 megabyte JSON file categorizes applications from the Microsoft Store, assigning numerical identifiers for categories such as Productivity (0), Social (1), and Creative (2). The Start Menu will group applications automatically when a user has at least three apps in the same category, prioritizing app arrangement based on usage frequency rather than alphabetical order. Users will not be able to rename categories or create custom classifications, adhering to Microsoft's predefined organization.
Windows 11 gets a fresh new Start menu and it's one of the most useful changes to the UI in yonks
Winsage
June 24, 2025

Windows 11 gets a fresh new Start menu and it’s one of the most useful changes to the UI in yonks

Windows 11 has received an update to the Start menu that enhances customization and accessibility for users in the Insider Program. This update allows users to create a scrollable list of applications and categorize them according to personal preferences, improving access to frequently used apps. Users can now switch between Category, Grid, or List views directly from the Start menu, simplifying the customization process. The update also expands scrolling capability, reducing the need for multiple clicks to access additional recommendations and promoting a more organized workspace. Users interested in this functionality can join the Windows Insider Program to select their update channel.
Windows 11’s new Start menu falls short in one key area – and it’s making people angry
Winsage
June 19, 2025

Windows 11’s new Start menu falls short in one key area – and it’s making people angry

Microsoft is testing a redesigned Start menu for Windows 11 that includes new layouts for the app list, such as a grid and category view. Users will not be able to create personalized category types, as Windows 11 will determine app categorization, potentially leading to an 'Other' section for apps that do not fit defined categories. Users cannot move apps between categories, which limits customization. The Start menu is still in testing, and there is hope for future enhancements, including drag-and-drop functionality, in the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update.
Microsoft improves Windows 11 Start menu, with no new ads in sight – and there’s a bonus for the lock screen in latest preview
Winsage
August 27, 2024

Microsoft improves Windows 11 Start menu, with no new ads in sight – and there’s a bonus for the lock screen in latest preview

Windows 11 has released a new preview build, 22635 (KB5041876), in the Beta channel, featuring enhancements to the interface. The update includes a revamped category view for the Start > All apps section, which now displays tooltips with app names on hover and has restructured application categories. Additionally, improvements to the lock screen allow users to see media controls while audio is playing, along with a blur effect. Microsoft has refined a feature for notification suggestions, enabling users to disable notifications from unacknowledged apps without affecting the notifications themselves. The update also includes fixes for issues like crashes in File Explorer and the Start menu. Users will have options among the default list, the new category view, and an additional grid view currently in preview.
Windows 11 has a rare Start menu change inbound, possibly - one that might make you smile
Winsage
August 12, 2024

Windows 11 has a rare Start menu change inbound, possibly – one that might make you smile

Microsoft is testing a new grid layout for the Start menu in Windows 11, moving away from the current lengthy list format. The latest beta build features a hidden category view that organizes applications into distinct groups, such as entertainment or navigation, displaying them in banks of four icons. If a category exceeds four applications, mini-icons can be used to showcase up to 16 apps. This change aims to enhance visual appeal and improve accessibility for users.
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