The default Start menu in the Windows operating system is set to receive the biggest overhaul in the last few years. Gone are the days of live tiles in the start menu. Instead, the default menu now includes pinned apps, AI-based suggestions, folder shortcuts, and more. And yes, it also comes to a new location on the taskbar. You also have all the tools to customize the Start menu experience in Windows 11.
Microsoft has added a number of customization options. The default settings are fine, but in Windows 11 you may want to change the look, feel, and functionality of the Start menu.
We will show you the default behavior in the Windows 11 Start menu and how to change it in the operating system.
1. Disable Translucent Effect
Default Windows 11 elements such as the Widgets panel, new notification area, quick toggles, and Start menu have a translucent effect. It’s part of Microsoft’s Fluent design system that the company carries over to other first-party apps.
While it looks great with the default Windows 11 wallpaper, it may not go well with some third-party wallpapers.
You can open the Settings menu and go to the Personalization > Colors menu. Then disable Transparency effects from the menu below.
No reboot required here. You will immediately see the applied effect in the Start menu.
2. Change Start Menu Theme
You can change the start menu theme individually. However, the suggested method will change the entire view across the OS.
The default Start menu is set in white theme with blue accent color. To change this, follow the steps below.
Stage 1: In Windows 11, open the Settings menu (Windows + I keys).
Step 2: Go to Personalization > Colors menu.
Stage 3: Choose the default theme mode from Light, Dark or Custom.
Step 4: From the same menu, you can choose the accent color that appears in the Windows 11 Start menu and throughout the operating system.
3. Change Start Menu Location
As we mentioned above, Microsoft is centering the Start menu location in Windows 11. However, if you keep coming back to the lower left corner, you can change the location due to old habits.
Stage 1: Open the Windows Settings app and go to the Personalization menu.
Step 2: Select Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors.
Stage 3: From the taskbar alignment menu, select left.
Windows 11 will scroll the taskbar with the Start menu and application icons on the left.
4. Pin/Remove Apps in Start Menu
Quick live tiles are gone, and pinned apps in the Start menu have replaced them. As expected, Microsoft has filled the Start menu with its own apps and services.
You can right-click any app and uninstall it from the Start menu. Likewise, users can right-click any app from the apps menu and pin it to the Start menu.
Similarly, users can drag and drop apps on the Start menu to change the location. As a result, you can pin up to 18 apps in the Start menu.
5. Disable Windows Suggestions
With the move to Windows 11, the Windows Timeline is gone. You now have Suggestions in the Windows 11 Start menu. As of now, they only work with Microsoft apps and services.
If you don’t want to try everything Microsoft recommends, you won’t find it useful. You can disable Start menu suggestions from the Settings menu. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Open the Settings app in Windows 11.
Step 2: Go to Personalization > Start and disable Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer.
We hope Microsoft opens the Recommended API for third-party developers. Imagine a scenario where you can open a WhatsApp chat or Twitter homepage directly from the Windows 11 Start menu. Productive, right?
6. Add Folders to the Start Menu
Microsoft has added File Explorer, Pictures, Downloads, etc. to the Start menu. Provides the option to add shortcuts such as This is quite useful for opening frequently accessed folders directly from the Start Menu.
Go to Windows Settings > Personalization > Start and select Folders. Next, select the folders you want to add to the Start menu.
For example, we added Downloads and File Manager shortcuts to the Start menu.
Open the start menu and you will see the newly added shortcuts next to the Power menu. Now you can pin and open your favorite folders with one click.
Customize the Start Menu in Windows 11
It’s good to see Microsoft’s approach to Windows 11. But unlike Windows 10, you can customize the new Start menu experience even more. Make the necessary adjustments and feel at home with the new Start menu in Windows 11.
