Linux installations are witnessing a notable surge as Windows 10 reaches its expiration date, reflecting a growing dissatisfaction among users. Many find themselves grappling with Microsoft’s increasing focus on artificial intelligence, which seems to overshadow the user experience. Despite CEO Satya Nadella’s pleas to refrain from labeling the company’s various iterations of Copilot as “slop,” Windows continues to roll out updates that disrupt functionality for many users.
The Start Menu, a cornerstone of the Windows user interface since the launch of Windows 95 over three decades ago, has become a symbol of this perceived decline. Initially designed as a straightforward app launcher, the Start Menu has undergone several controversial redesigns. Following the backlash against the full-screen Live Tiles in Windows 8, Windows 10 attempted to restore some balance. However, the introduction of Windows 11 brought about a new wave of complications, with an overstuffed interface that included a Recommended section and even advertisements, detracting from the overall experience.
The Start Menu is finally, mercifully useful
In a recent update, Windows 11 has unveiled a redesigned Start Menu that aims to rectify some of its previous missteps. This iteration returns the app launcher to a more user-friendly format, allowing for greater customization and control. The new Start Menu boasts a wider layout, accommodating eight apps per row instead of the previous six. The search bar remains prominently positioned at the top, with pinned items easily accessible beneath it. Users can now expand or collapse their pinned items into a single grid, eliminating the need to scroll through multiple pages.
While the Recommended section is still enabled by default, users now have the option to disable it in the Settings menu, providing relief from one of the more frustrating aspects of the previous design. Additionally, the complete list of installed apps is now conveniently located below the pinned and recommended sections, allowing for seamless navigation. Users can choose to arrange their apps in alphabetical order, in a grid format, or within categorized folders.
For those utilizing Phone Link to access smartphone content, quick access features remain available in a panel adjacent to the main Start Menu. Links to Microsoft account settings are conveniently located at the bottom left, while shortcuts to various libraries, Settings, and the power menu occupy the bottom right. Collectively, these enhancements contribute to a more coherent user experience, allowing for smoother transitions between different areas of the Menu.
The new Windows 11 Start Menu is an improvement, but issues remain
Microsoft’s efforts to address longstanding user complaints with the Start Menu update signal a willingness to listen to feedback, especially as the company appears increasingly focused on integrating AI throughout Windows 11. However, challenges persist. For instance, conducting a search from the Start Menu still yields a plethora of irrelevant results, including web links and apps from the Microsoft Store. Users must navigate through various settings to filter out this clutter, which can be cumbersome.
Moreover, opting to disable the Recommended section comes with trade-offs; users lose access to recently accessed files in File Explorer and Jump Lists when right-clicking program icons. This approach feels punitive to those who wish to minimize intrusive features. Additionally, the inability to resize the Start Menu—a feature that many users appreciated in Windows 10—remains a point of contention. The previous flexibility to adjust the Menu’s dimensions was particularly beneficial for users with smaller displays. Furthermore, the option to categorize pinned items and folders, as seen in earlier versions, is still absent.
Despite the positive strides made with the new Start Menu, it carries the weight of Windows 11’s broader challenges. While this redesign marks progress, the journey toward a fully optimized user experience continues.
