The redesign of the Windows 11 Start menu has garnered a mix of praise and critique, with many users finding it a significant upgrade while also noting some shortcomings. One of the most common complaints revolves around the inability to create categories or rearrange apps within groups. The sheer size of the Start menu has also raised eyebrows, prompting users to request a feature that would allow them to resize it according to their preferences. Microsoft has acknowledged this feedback, indicating that they are listening to their user base.
The new Start menu is a nice upgrade, but you’re not alone if it looks huge on your PC
Upon opening the Start menu, it quickly becomes apparent that it occupies a considerable amount of screen real estate. For some users, it can cover nearly 70% of the display, a situation that varies depending on screen resolution and default scaling settings. A recent test by Windows Latest examined the appearance of the Start menu across different resolutions and scaling configurations.
For instance, on a 14-inch laptop, the overwhelming size of the Start menu can be frustrating. Users have discovered that adjusting scaling settings can mitigate this issue, albeit at the cost of making everything else on the screen smaller. One user shared their experience, noting that while their display resolution was set to 2880×1800, reducing the scaling from the recommended 200% to 150% made the Start menu more manageable.
However, the absence of a dedicated resize button or the option to switch between different layouts remains a significant drawback. On a 14-inch PC with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a scaling set to 100%, the Start menu can dominate the screen space, covering up to 90% of the width, particularly when the Phone panel is enabled. Conversely, users with 4K monitors often find themselves increasing the scaling to read the text comfortably.
Users are demanding Windows 10-like resize control for the Start menu, and Microsoft is listening to feedback
The call for manual resize controls mirrors the sentiments of many users who feel that the new Start menu lacks flexibility. A post in the Feedback Hub highlighted that while the new design is rated highly by some, the absence of resizing options is a significant oversight. One user articulated their frustration, stating, “I just got the new Start menu, and it really needs the ability to be resized, even more than the old one did. It is way too big. This was a huge step backward in regards to this feedback, not a step towards resolution.” This post has garnered over 4,000 upvotes, reflecting a widespread desire for change.
In response to these concerns, Microsoft has assured users that they are actively monitoring feedback regarding the Start menu’s size. While the company maintains that the new design is already optimal—highlighting features like the Pinned section shrinking to a single row when fewer items are present—many users remain unconvinced. The core issue persists: the Start menu itself does not shrink, only its internal sections do.
A Microsoft representative stated, “With this design, sections within Start are responsive so you can see more or less of your pinned and recommended sections. If you prefer to always have your pins expanded by default, you can do so via Settings. We hope this does improve some of your sizing issues with Start, but please continue to let us know if it does not. We are still monitoring this feedback for the future.”
While it appears that a resize button is not on the immediate horizon, Microsoft has left the door open for future considerations. Additionally, the company has opted not to allow the Start menu to be repositioned to the top or sides of the screen, citing concerns about disrupting the flow and animations of the interface.
As the rollout of the new Start menu continues, users are encouraged to share their thoughts on how Microsoft can enhance this feature further.
Note: The New Start menu is still rolling out, but most users are beginning to see it, particularly following the December 2025 update.