Microsoft has confirmed that the redesigned Windows 11 Start menu is now rolling out more broadly as part of the January update, marking one of the most noticeable interface changes to the operating system in recent months. In a statement shared with Windows Latest, the company said the new Start experience is being introduced in phases, which means many users may not see it instantly even after installing the latest patch.
Users who want to receive it sooner can enable the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option inside Windows Update. Microsoft says this setting can help prioritise delivery, while everyone else should see the refreshed Start menu automatically over the coming days or weeks as the rollout expands to more devices.
Also read: Microsoft adds new features to Excel: All details
The updated Start menu is the result of nearly a year of experimentation inside Microsoft, with several radical concepts reportedly tested and later discarded before the company finalised the current design. Rather than introducing a drastic overhaul, Microsoft has focused on refining what already exists, meaning the overall structure remains familiar to long-time Windows 11 users.
According to the company, the goal was to make the Start menu feel faster, calmer and more personal without losing its original identity. Feedback gathered from the Windows Feedback Hub influenced many of the final decisions. The redesigned layout now follows a clearer hierarchy, starting with a large search bar at the top, followed by pinned apps, recommended items and then the complete apps list.
Search has been given top priority so users can quickly jump to files, applications or images without navigating multiple layers. The Recommended feed, which has often divided opinion among users, continues to be enabled by default. However, Microsoft now allows it to be disabled completely, something that was not possible in earlier versions of Windows 11.
While users finally have the option to turn off the Recommended section, the setting comes with a compromise. Disabling it also switches off recent files in File Explorer and items that appear in Jump Lists on the taskbar. This combined toggle limits customisation and has already drawn criticism from users who want separate controls for each feature.
Microsoft has also changed how the full apps library is accessed. Instead of being hidden behind an additional click, applications are now easier to reach directly from the Start menu home screen. A new category-based grid layout reduces endless scrolling and improves app discovery. The visual approach is intentionally similar to smartphone home screens, which may remind some users of iOS-style organisation.
Another adjustment is the Phone Link integration, which now appears as an optional slide-in panel rather than occupying permanent space in the Start menu. Microsoft describes it as a slimmer and less intrusive addition that stays out of the way when not needed.
Despite highlighting user feedback as the driving force behind these updates, Microsoft continues to resist certain long-standing requests such as allowing the taskbar to be moved. The company argues that repositioning the taskbar would disrupt animations and overall interface flow. Users who prefer the older Start menu are largely dependent on third-party open-source tools, many of which may become unreliable as Windows 11 continues to evolve.
Also read: Google accidentally leaks first look at Android PC OS online: What to expect