How to Enable Expanded Start Menu in Windows 11

What is the Expanded Start Menu?

What is the Expanded Start Menu? This feature displays all your pinned apps in one place, cutting down on the need to scroll. It’s a larger view that makes accessing your favorite programs directly from the Start menu much faster. This improved navigation lets you find what you need without digging through different sections.

The expanded Start Menu in Windows 11 shows all pinned items at once. This feature eliminates the need to scroll through different sections of the Start Menu to find your favorite apps, making navigation quicker for users.

How to Enable the Expanded Start Menu

You can enable the Windows 11 expanded Start menu by using a free tool called ViVeTool to activate a hidden setting. This involves downloading ViVeTool, then using Command Prompt or Windows Terminal to run a specific command that turns on the feature.

Step 1: Get ViVeTool

First, you’ll need to download and use ViVeTool in Windows. Instructions for this are covered in another guide. Windows Settings

Step 2: Open Command Prompt or Terminal

Next, open Command Prompt or Windows Terminal on your computer.

Step 3: Run the Command

Now, copy and paste the command below, and then press Enter:

vivetool /enable /id:49402389,49221331,47205210,48433719

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Turning On “Show All Pins by Default”

After enabling the bigger Start menu, you can set Windows 11 to automatically show all your pinned apps by default. To do this, open Settings, go to Personalization, and then click on Start settings to find and change this option.

Click on the Start menu and select Settings. Or press Windows key + I to open Settings app directly.

Step 2: Go to Personalization

In the Settings app, click Personalization on the left side.

Step 3: Click Start Settings

On the right side, click the Start tile to open its settings.

Step 4: Enable “Show All Pins by Default”

Toggle “Show all pins by default” on or off. When it’s on, your new larger Start menu will display all your pinned apps at once.

Step 5: Close Settings

You’re all set! You can now close the Settings app.

What Happens When You Enable It?

Once enabled, your Start menu becomes bigger and shows all your pinned applications at the same time. No more scrolling to find apps. Everything appears in one expanded view.

Want to Switch Back?

Don’t like the bigger menu? Go back to Settings and toggle “Show all pins by default” off. Your Start menu will return to its original layout.

Summary

The Windows 11 expanded Start menu lets you see all your pinned apps without scrolling. You can enable it using ViVeTool, and then further configure the setting within the Windows Settings app.