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Winsage

June 8, 2026

Meet the hidden Windows 11 tool that reveals what Task Manager misses

Microsoft has integrated Sysmon into Windows 11 through a system update, allowing it to operate in the background and log activities in the Windows Event Log. Indicators of suspicious processes include the absence of icons or descriptions, incorrect parent processes, spelling errors in names, unsigned executable files, packed executables, suspicious DLLs or services, open TCP/IP endpoints, and unusual URLs or character strings. To install Sysmon, users must access the Control Panel, enable Sysmon, and restart their PC. Activation requires running a command in the Command Prompt. Sysmon logs can be viewed in the Event Viewer under Microsoft > Windows > Sysmon > Operational. Users can filter events using an XML configuration file. After analysis, suspicious processes should be scanned with antivirus software, and files can be uploaded to VirusTotal for further examination. Sysmon continuously logs events, while Process Monitor captures snapshots of running processes, and both tools are available for free from Microsoft.

Winsage

May 30, 2026

Tested: Windows 11’s new Start menu lets you fully customize it, and it works surprisingly well

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.8553, featuring a redesigned Start menu that addresses user complaints about customization and performance. The update introduces section-level toggles for managing the visibility of Pinned, Recent, and All sections. The Recommended section has been rebranded as Recent, allowing users to display recently accessed files and customize its visibility. Users can also disable Pinned apps and All apps, leading to a minimalist Start menu. Three size options for the Start menu are available: Automatic, Small, and Medium. The All apps section can be viewed in Grid or List format. Users can hide their name and profile picture from the Start menu. A native Start menu is in development, with plans to use native WinUI 3 frameworks for improved performance. Additionally, a new Low Latency Profile CPU boost is being rolled out to enhance responsiveness.

Winsage

February 27, 2026

Windows 11’s new Start menu is here, and the community reaction is basically “why is this worse?”

Microsoft's redesign of the Start menu in Windows 11 has received mixed reactions, with many users criticizing its excessive size, automation, and lack of customization options. Users on larger monitors find the menu to be a "colossal waste of space," while those on laptops have a more favorable view. The automatic categorization of apps has been deemed ineffective, with users frustrated by the inability to rename or adjust categories. Some users appreciate the "List" view option, but overall, the menu's size overshadows its positive aspects. Functional issues such as icons failing to render and laggy animations have also been reported, contributing to dissatisfaction. Users express a desire for more control over their interface, suggesting that options for category editing and resizing could improve the experience.

Winsage

October 6, 2025

Microsoft releases biggest Windows 11 upgrade of the year just days before it will kill-off Windows 10

Microsoft is concluding support for Windows 10, urging users to upgrade to Windows 11 before the final update is released. The latest Windows 11 update, version 25H2, introduces new features, including a revamped Start Menu with pinned apps and recommendations for recently opened documents, integration of Phone Link for managing mobile interactions, customizable lock screen options, an upgraded File Explorer with a "Recommended" area, and a self-repair function called Quick Machine Recovery. Windows 10 will cease receiving free updates on October 14, 2025, raising security concerns for users. Windows 11 requires specific hardware compatibility, including a 64-bit processor, a minimum of 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and TPM version 2.0 for installation.

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.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

Windows 11’s shiny new Start menu has a flaw that’s going to drive me insane

Windows 11's Start menu has been criticized by users for being less effective than that of Windows 10. Microsoft has made enhancements, including the removal of the "Recommended" section and the introduction of a scrollable list of applications. Users can choose from three presentation methods: Name List, Name Grid, and View Category. However, the category sorting system limits user control, as applications are automatically assigned to predefined sections, and users cannot create or modify these categories. If an app does not fit into a category, it will be placed in the "Other" section. Additionally, a category is only created if there are three or more apps, which can lead to further disorganization if one app is uninstalled. Some users are considering alternatives like Linux Mint for a more customizable experience.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

You can now try Microsoft’s new Start menu for Windows 11

Microsoft has released an updated Start menu for Windows 11, now available in the Dev Channel. The new menu features a larger, customizable interface with a scrollable design that displays all applications at the top level, simplifying app access. Users can disable the recommended section for a personalized view and choose between category view and grid view for app organization. The Start menu size adjusts based on screen dimensions, with larger monitors showing up to eight columns of pinned apps, while smaller devices display six columns. A mobile device button has been added for expanding or collapsing the Phone Link interface. Users can also customize their lock screen widgets and a Gamepad keyboard update allows signing into PCs with a PIN via a controller.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft Reveals New Windows 11 Start Menu and Upcoming Copilot+ Features

Microsoft has announced upcoming features for Windows 11, including a redesigned Start Menu, enhancements to Click to Do, and improvements in Windows Search. Key features for Windows Insiders using Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PCs include an AI Agent in Settings, new Click to Do actions for scheduling and messaging, dynamic lighting controls in Photos, a Paint sticker generator, object selection in Paint, an improved Snipping tool, and rich image descriptions in Narrator. Additional features for all Windows Insiders include a new Start Menu with a phone companion sidebar, AI actions in File Explorer, updates to Notepad, Copilot improvements, and a Microsoft Store AI Hub. Notably, Copilot+ PC experiences will not be available in all markets until later, with some features expected to arrive in the European Economic Area in 2025.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Microsoft’s new Windows 11 Start menu is bigger and fixes a major pain point

Microsoft is rolling out a redesigned Start menu for Windows 11 users, featuring a larger layout that consolidates functionality onto a single scrollable page. Users can disable the recommended feed, allowing for a cleaner interface. The new design provides easy access to all apps without navigating through multiple sections, with options for a category view or list format. Users can pin up to eight apps per row, with no restrictions on the number of rows. This updated Start menu is currently being tested in the 24H2 builds of Windows 11 and is also being backported to the 23H2 versions, indicating a wider rollout is expected soon.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Microsoft changes Windows 11’s Start menu for the better (gasp) while introducing nifty new file sharing options

Windows 11 is testing a new preview build (22635.4950) in the Beta channel, featuring enhancements for user experience. Notable updates include a revamped file-sharing feature that allows drag-and-drop functionality to applications like WhatsApp, My Phone, and Microsoft Teams. The Start menu is being redesigned with options for a grid view and a category view in the 'All apps' section. The grid view expands horizontally to display more apps, while the category view organizes apps into groups based on function. The update also improves accessibility support in File Explorer and addresses several bugs. These features are expected to appear in Dev builds soon and are nearing public release.