How to Customize Windows 11 Start Menu for Your Workflow

Get Started with Your Start Menu

Begin by understanding the basics of your Windows 11 Start Menu ⊞ and how to make initial adjustments. These guides are for anyone new to customizing the Start Menu or looking to grasp its core features.

1 Windows 11 Taskbar: What is the Start Feature Hey there, fellow Windows explorers! Ever looked at your Windows 11 taskbar and wondered about those little icons? We've got you covered.… 5 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

2 How to Hide or Show Account Name and Profile Picture on Start Menu in Windows 11 Hiding your account name and profile picture on the Windows 11 Start menu removes personal details from view. The Start menu is… 4 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

3 How to add Mobile Device in Start Menu on Windows 11 Adding your mobile device to the Windows 11 Start menu creates a quick shortcut to your phone's information and apps. This feature… 3 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

Organize and Personalize Your Apps and Content

Tailor the Start Menu ⊞ to show the apps and information you use most often. These steps are for users who want to arrange their pinned apps, view recent files, or manage app previews.

1 How to change Start Menu all apps view in Windows 11 Windows 11's Start Menu offers several ways to display your installed applications, and you can change the "All apps" view to a… 5 min read

2 How to Customize the ‘All’ Apps View in Windows 11 Start Menu This article details how to modify the 'All' apps view in the Windows 11 Start menu. The new build introduces grid and category views for better app organization. Users can enable this feature using ViVeTool, enhancing usability by allowing customization of app listings. Staying updated with Windows builds ensures access to new features. 1 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

3 How to show or hide Recent Files on Start Menu in Windows 11 Showing or hiding recent files on the Windows 11 Start menu lets you control what appears in the "Recommended" section. The Start… 2 min read

4 How to Add or Remove Pinned Section on Start Menu in Windows 11 The Pinned section on your Windows 11 Start menu lets you choose which apps appear at the very top. This area displays… 3 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

Adjust the Look and Feel

Change how your Start Menu ⊞ and taskbar look and behave to better suit your preferences. This section is for those who want to alter the size of the Start Menu or reposition the taskbar 🖥️ itself.

1 How to Change Start Menu Size in Windows 11 This guide shows you how to change how big your Start Menu appears in Windows 11. The Start Menu has three parts:… 3 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

2 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,… 5 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

3 How to Change Taskbar Position to Top or Side in Windows 11 Windows 11 lets you move the taskbar from the bottom of your screen to the top, left, or right side. The taskbar… 6 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

Manage User Accounts and Notifications

Control how user accounts and notifications appear in relation to your Start Menu. These guides help you manage switching users and seeing alerts from your mobile devices.

1 How to Add or Remove Switch User on User Tile in Start Menu in Windows 11 Adding or removing the "Switch user" option on the Windows 11 Start menu lets you control how easily you can access other… 4 min read

2 How to Enable or Disable Mobile Device Notification Previews on Hover in Start Menu on Windows 11 Mobile device notification previews in the Windows 11 Start menu let you see alerts from your phone directly on your PC. These… 2 min read

Understand Future Changes

Stay informed about upcoming changes to the Windows 11 Start Menu and taskbar. This guide is for users curious about Microsoft's plans for personalization.

1 Microsoft is Making Taskbar and Start more personal in Windows 11 Windows 11's Start menu and taskbar are getting a personal touch with new improvements from Microsoft. These updates give you more control… 5 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

Common questions

Can I make the 🪟 Windows 11 Start Menu bigger?

How do I add my frequently used apps to the Start Menu?

Where did my recent files go in the 🪟 Windows 11 Start Menu?

By default, Windows 11 may show recently opened files. If this is not appearing, you can enable it through the Start Menu settings. Guide [2] shows you how to turn this feature on or off.

Can I move the 🪟 Windows 11 Start button to the left side?

Yes, you can change the position of the taskbar, including the Start button. Guide [9] provides instructions on how to move the taskbar to the top or side of your screen.

How can I remove the 'Recommended' section from the Start Menu?

The 'Recommended' section can be hidden or managed through the Start Menu settings. Guide [5] details how to show or hide account information, which might influence what is displayed.