Microsoft Overhauls Windows 11 Start Menu: Faster and More Customizable

Microsoft is developing a significant overhaul for the Windows 11 Start Menu. This update aims to address long-standing criticisms regarding its performance and limited customization options. The user community anticipates substantial improvements to their daily operating system experience.

According to Windows Central, the company is actively working on this new Start Menu version. Development leverages WinUI 3, a modern interface framework already confirmed by Microsoft for this update. This approach promises a more robust and efficient foundation for the menu.

While visual changes will not be radical, Microsoft plans to add configuration options users have requested for years. Customization will be a fundamental pillar of this new experience.

The upcoming Windows 11 Start Menu will introduce highly anticipated configuration options. Users will gain unprecedented control over its appearance and functionality:

• Manually select between a compact or expanded layout, rather than the system making the decision.

• Disable entire sections, such as the app list or recommendations, ensuring only useful content is visible.

• Remove pinned apps sections and other elements that occupy unnecessary space.

A major frustration with the current menu is its sluggishness under heavy load. It can take several seconds to appear if the processor is under high demand. The new version is engineered for consistent agility, responding fluidly even when the system operates at its peak.

These changes are part of a broader internal Microsoft project, known as Windows K2. Its goal is to transform Windows 11 into a faster, more stable, and user-friendly platform. Weeks ago, the tech giant acknowledged several operating system issues and promised significant structural changes.

It is important to note that this new Start Menu will not arrive immediately. It will first undergo testing through the Insider program, ensuring every change functions correctly. Microsoft has already announced that initial improvements, focusing on the taskbar, will begin with the April update.