Microsoft’s recent redesign of the Start menu in Windows 11 has elicited a spectrum of reactions, reflecting the complexities inherent in user interface changes. A lengthy discussion on Reddit titled “Thoughts on the new start menu update?” serves as a microcosm of the broader sentiment surrounding Microsoft’s design philosophy. While a handful of users express appreciation for the updates, the prevailing sentiment leans toward criticism, particularly regarding the menu’s size, automation, and lack of customization options.
The size problem: “Why is it so huge?”
The new Start menu has been described as excessively large, with users on 27-inch monitors labeling it a “colossal waste of space” and likening it to the full-screen Start experience of Windows 8. This perception of bloat contrasts sharply with the more compact design of Windows 10. Interestingly, users on laptops seem to have a more favorable view, with one commenter describing it as “kinda nice.” This divergence highlights the ongoing challenge of designing an operating system that caters to both touch-based and desktop environments, as the increased visual spacing and oversized tiles appear to prioritize aesthetics over functionality.
Automatic categories: a feature without control
One of the standout features of this update is the automatic categorization of apps, which groups them into folders such as Productivity and Utilities & Tools using machine learning. However, user feedback suggests that this feature falls short of expectations. For instance, one user lamented that Steam and game launchers are dispersed across various categories, stating, “It doesn’t recognise steam or games in the Steam start menu folder as games. Truly useless.” Others echoed similar frustrations, noting that Microsoft 365 apps are sorted in confusing ways, and the “Others” category often swallows most installed programs. The inability to rename or manually adjust these categories has led many to deem the feature “useless.” Suggestions for a hybrid approach, allowing for both automated grouping and user customization, have emerged as a potential solution.
List view vs category view: the unexpected divide
Despite the criticisms, not all feedback is negative. Some users advocate for the “List” view option, which they argue enhances the experience by aligning it more closely with previous versions of Windows. In this mode, pinned apps integrate seamlessly with the full app list, leading some to label it a “massive improvement.” However, even proponents acknowledge that the overall size of the menu remains excessive, overshadowing the positive aspects of the changes, such as the removal of the “Recommended” section.
Performance and bugs add fuel to the fire
Beyond design concerns, users have reported functional issues, including icons failing to render and laggy animations. These glitches, whether indicative of broader problems or mere preview bugs, contribute to a sense that Microsoft is prioritizing visual changes over performance stability. For users equipped with high-end graphics cards, these performance issues are particularly frustrating, leading to nostalgia for previous iterations of the Start menu. Many users express a weariness with frequent interface changes, with one commenter stating, “I’m so close to move to another OS because I can’t put up anymore with this […] UI changes they keep enforcing without asking.” Suggestions for a visual profile system that allows users to select between different styles without relying on third-party tools have surfaced as a potential remedy.
Final assessment: conceptually promising, practically constrained
The consensus emerging from Reddit is clear: while the new Start menu is not universally reviled, significant concerns about its size, lack of customization, and inconsistent sorting dominate the discourse. Users are not resistant to change per se, but rather to a perceived loss of control over their interface. If Microsoft were to introduce options for category editing and resizing, the narrative could shift. For now, third-party tools remain the go-to solution for users seeking to regain control over their Start menu experience.
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