Windows 11 is Getting a Smaller Start Menu – Here’s How to Change It!

Windows 11 will soon let you shrink the Start menu. This change aims to make the Start menu display fewer pinned apps, taking up less screen real estate.

Previously, Windows 11’s Start menu offered limited customization for its size. However, upcoming updates introduce a new option to adjust its dimensions.

You can change the Start menu size through Taskbar settings. This allows you to choose a smaller view that shows fewer items or a larger one that displays more.

How to Change Your 🪟 Windows 11 Start Menu Size

Why change the Start menu size?

Your Start menu is where you find your apps. Sometimes, it feels too big or too small for what you need. Changing its size helps you use your screen more effectively and fit your style.

What happens when you change the size?

When you change the size, the Start menu will either take up less space on your screen (smaller) or show more items at once (larger). This can make it quicker to find what you need.

Step 1⚙️ Open Settings

Begin by opening your ⚙️ Windows Settings. This is where you can tweak how your computer looks and functions.

1. 🖱️ Right-click on your Desktop.
2. Click on Personalize from the menu that appears.

Step 2Go to Taskbar Settings

To change your Windows 11 ⊞ Start menu size, head to Taskbar settings. First, open the main Personalization menu on your PC. Then, click on ‘Taskbar’ in the left-hand menu. Scroll down to find ‘Taskbar behaviors’ and click to open it.

1. In the Personalization window, click on Taskbar.
2. Scroll down to find the section called Taskbar behaviors. Click it to open it.

Step 3Find the ⊞ Start Menu Size Setting

Inside 🖥️ the Taskbar settings, the option to change your Windows 11 ⊞ Start menu size is found under ‘Taskbar behaviors.’ Look for a specific setting that lets you adjust the Start menu size. If you don’t see it yet, it might be a new feature that is still rolling out to everyone.

1. In the Taskbar behaviors section, look for a new option related to the ⊞ Start menu size.

A new Windows feature is currently being tested with Windows Insiders. This means it might not appear for everyone right away. However, the feature will be available soon, so make sure your Windows operating system is up to date.

Step 4Choose Your ⊞ Start Menu Size

Once you find the option, changing your Windows 11 ⊞ Start menu size is quite simple. You’ll likely see options like ‘Small’ for a more compact menu or ‘Large’ to show more items without scrolling. Pick the size that works best for how you use your Start menu.

1. You will see options for the ⊞ Start menu size. You might see a dropdown menu or radio buttons.
2. Choose between:

   • Small: This makes the ⊞ Start menu more compact. It’s good if you want more space on your screen.
   • Large: This makes the ⊞ Start menu bigger. It shows more apps and items without needing to scroll as much.
3. Select the size that works best for you.

The change happens right away. You don’t need to 🔄 restart your computer.

Practical Tip: Try both the Small and Large sizes for a few days each. See which one feels better when you use your computer.

Step 5Other ⊞ Start Menu Tweaks (Bonus!)

Beyond changing the ⊞ Start menu size, you can further customize its appearance. You can turn sections like ‘Pinned,’ ‘Recommended,’ and ‘All apps’ on or off to make the menu simpler. You can also choose to hide recommendations for files you recently opened.

• Section Toggles: You can turn on or off sections like “Pinned,” “Recommended,” and “All apps.” This lets you make a very simple ⊞ Start menu.
• File Recommendations: You can stop seeing recent files in the ⊞ Start menu. This setting is separate from the 📁 File Explorer recommendations.
• Hide Name and Profile Picture: If you show your screen to others, you can hide your name and picture from the ⊞ Start menu for privacy.

Remember: These extra features are also rolling out slowly. Keep checking for Windows Updates.

Reference:

https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2026/05/15/improving-windows-quality-making-taskbar-and-start-more-personal

Summary

Change your Windows 11 ⊞ Start menu size to be smaller or larger for better screen use. ⚙️ Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and select your preferred size.