pinned apps Archives

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

January 22, 2026

Windows 11 backgrounds are finally joining the modern era.

The latest Windows Insider build, 26220.7653, allows users to set .webp images as their desktop background on Windows 11 through the Beta Channel. The design of dialogs in "Accounts > Other Users" has been updated to use the modern WinUI framework and support dark mode, contingent on having a domain-joined work or school account. The Click to Do feature now loads Copilot prompt suggestions instantly, although this is not available to Insiders in the European Economic Area or China. Various fixes have been implemented, including resolving issues with the taskbar, Bluetooth device battery level display, login screen password icon, and Settings crashing when interacting with audio devices. Additionally, issues related to Notepad, explorer.exe, and msinfo32 have been addressed.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7653 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7653 (KB5074157) has been released to the Beta Channel. Changes and Improvements: - The "Accounts > Other Users" dialog has been redesigned using the WinUI framework and now supports dark mode. - Copilot prompt suggestions in Click to Do will load instantly, but this change is not available for Insiders in the EEA or China. - Users can now set .webp images as their desktop background. Fixes: - Taskbar autohide issue resolved. - Start menu memory leak fixed and issues with incorrect opening side for Arabic and Hebrew users addressed. - Bluetooth battery level display issue resolved. - Fixed unexpected app behavior in Xbox full-screen experience. - Login screen password icon issue fixed. - Resolved crash in Settings when interacting with audio devices. - Fixed keyboard character repeat delay settings discrepancy. - Addressed clipped text issues in msinfo32 and installation errors with .appinstaller files. - Notepad font display issue corrected. - Fixed explorer.exe hang issue upon logging in. Known Issues: - Some applications may exhibit unexpected behavior in Xbox full-screen experience. - Investigating visibility issues of apps in the system tray for some Insiders. - Addressing display issues on secondary monitors showing black screens. - Working on a fix for Microsoft 365 Copilot prompt box functionality when the app is not running. Reminders: - Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2. - Features are rolled out gradually using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. - Features in development may not be released to the public and can evolve or be removed.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

I forced myself to run Windows 11, and to be honest, I don’t miss much about Windows 10

Windows 10 reached the end of its support, prompting an upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 11 is faster, with performance improvements claimed to be up to 2.3 times quicker than Windows 10, particularly on modern hardware. Boot times improved from 40 seconds to under 20 seconds. Battery life enhancements are reported, especially for modern devices. The Microsoft Store has been redesigned for a better user experience, allowing app uninstallation directly from the Store. The Start menu and Taskbar have been redesigned, with a more organized layout that enhances usability. The new context menu includes dedicated icons for frequently used functions. The classic Control Panel is missed, as its functionality has largely moved to the Settings app, which some find less simple. Overall, the upgrade to Windows 11 is considered worthwhile despite some areas needing refinement.

Winsage

November 24, 2025

You won’t believe how much the Windows Start Menu has changed in 40 years — including THAT ill-fated departure with Windows 8

On November 20, 1985, Windows 1.0 was launched. Windows XP debuted in 2001 with a redesigned Start menu featuring a two-column layout. Windows Vista, released in 2007, integrated search functionality into the Start menu. Windows 7, launched in 2009, introduced "Jump Lists" and streamlined power options. Windows 8 replaced the Start menu with a full-screen Start screen in 2012, which was optimized for touch input. Windows 8.1 reintroduced the Start button but not the Start menu. Windows 10, released in 2015, brought back the Start menu with a customizable two-pane design and merged classic elements with Live Tiles. Windows 11, introduced in 2021, featured a centered Taskbar and a simplified Start menu layout. In November 2025, a Security Update introduced a new Start menu version that adapts to screen resolution, offering a larger layout divided into three sections: "Pinned," "Recommended," and "All," with options for user customization.

Winsage

November 10, 2025

How to use the new Windows 11 Start menu, now rolling out

The Windows Start menu will undergo its first significant redesign since 2021, with the rollout scheduled for November 11, coinciding with the Patch Tuesday update. The update introduces a scrollable Start menu and places the "All apps" list on the main screen. The redesigned menu offers two user interface options: a categories view, which organizes applications by type and prioritizes frequently used apps, and a grid view that maintains a classic A to Z order. The menu is adaptive, adjusting to fit screen sizes, with larger displays showing more columns of pinned apps and recommendations. Users can disable the Recommended feed through Settings. While the new Start menu improves usability, it may occupy excessive screen space on lower resolution PCs, and there is a desire for the ability to create custom categories. The rollout will begin with the November 2025 Patch Tuesday and is part of Build 26200.7019 and 26100.7019 or newer, but it will not be activated by default.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Force enable new Start menu in Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 if it doesn’t turn on automatically

Windows 11 has introduced a redesigned Start menu with a new categories layout and a revamped Phone Link panel. This update is part of Windows 11 Build 26200.7019 or newer and is being rolled out gradually. Users can enable the new Start menu by downloading Windows 11 KB5067036 or newer, using the ViVeTool package, and executing specific commands in the Command Prompt. The new Start menu features a single-page layout with a collapsible Pinned apps section, a Recommended section that can be hidden, and an All apps section with multiple layout options including Category, Grid, and List. The Category layout organizes apps into niches like Productivity and Tools, although users cannot currently create new categories.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

How to get the new Windows Start menu now

Microsoft has updated the Start menu in Windows 11, allowing users to access a comprehensive list of installed applications without needing to click the “All” button. The new Start menu offers three viewing options: a grid layout, a simple alphabetical list, and categorized grouping. Users can disable the Recommended section to see a direct list of applications beneath pinned shortcuts. To access the new Start menu, users must be on build 26100.7019, 26200.7019, or newer versions of Windows 11. If the new menu does not appear automatically, users can enable it using the ViveTool utility by executing specific commands in a command prompt with administrative privileges.

Winsage

October 8, 2025

The latest Windows 11 Canary finally build adds Start menu resizing, but not in the way you want

The Start menu in Windows 11 automatically resizes based on screen size, with no option for manual resizing. The latest Canary build introduces a scrollable app list and responsive Start columns, displaying 8/6/4 columns on larger screens and 6/4/3 on smaller screens. Users can disable recommendations in Settings, but manual resizing remains unavailable. The Start menu adapts to the number of pinned items, condensing sections as needed.

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.