How to Customize Start Menu in Windows 11
The redesigned Start Menu of Windows 11 is quite handy as it shows exactly what you want to be shown. From pre-installed apps to most/recently opened files, you can find almost everything included in theStart Menu. The best thing about the new Start Menu is that you can customize everything as per your requirements. Therefore, if you haveupgraded to Windows 11, here are some customization tips and tricks to help customize the Start Menu.
Table of Contents
1. How to Pin or Unpin an App in Start Menu
When you click the Start Menu, a list of apps appears under the titlePinned. It includes some useful pre-installed apps such as Microsoft Edge, Calculator, Mail, Microsoft Store, etc. However, if you do not use all the pinned apps frequently and want to hide some of them, here is how you can do that.
1.Click on the Start Menu to expand it completely.
2.Right-click on a pinned app and select theUnpin from Startoption.
On the other hand, it is possible to pin an app that you want to see in the Start Menu. For that, click on theAll appsbutton and choose an app that you want to pin to the Taskbar.
Right-click on it and select thePin to Startoption.
2. How to Move an App to the Top or Rearrange Icons
At times, you might not like the default arrangement of pinned apps and may want to rearrange them. For example, let’s say you want to pin Calendar on the top to check the schedules frequently but do not want to see Solitaire next to it.
There are two things you should know about rearranging icons. First, you can change the position as per your requirements – you have a free hand. Second, you can use the context menu option that lets you move only one app to the Top position.
To move an app to the top, right-click on a pinned app and select theMove to topoption.
However, if you want to change other apps’ positions, click on an app. Click and hold the app using mouse pointer and move the app to the desired position.
3. How to Show/Hide Recently Installed and Most Used Apps
Like Windows 10, Windows 11 shows recently installed and most-used apps, allowing users to find an app quickly. At times, you might not want to display your recently installed or most used apps in the Start Menu but instead, you want to show it as you set things up. In such situations, the following steps would help:
1.PressWin+Ito open the Windows Settings.
2.Go toPersonalization > Start.
3.Toggle theShow recently added appsandShow most used appsbuttons.
Now you won’t find these two things in the Windows 11 Start Menu.
4. How to Show Library Folders in Start Menu
By default, the Start Menu shows the power button. However, you can include more options such as Library folder (Documents, Music, Videos), Network, Personal folder, etc.
2.Navigate toPersonalization > Start.
3.Click on theChoose which folders appear on Startoption.
4.Toggle the respective button that you want to show in the Start Menu.
Once it is done, you will view the folders like this:
The biggest change you will notice after installing Windows 11 is the Start Menu and Taskbar icons that are now aligned center. If you like Windows 10’s left-aligned Start Menu and don’t want that to change, you can move the Start Menu towards the left.
1.Right-click on your Taskbar and select theTaskbar settingsoption.
2.Expand theTaskbar alignmentdrop-down list and selectCenter.
This change moves all the Taskbar icons, including Start Menu, to the left like in Windows 10.
6. How to Uninstall Pre-Installed Apps From Start Menu
The biggest problem with Windows 10 is that there are a lot of pre-installed apps that you might never use. For example, you’re able to see Netflix, Messenger, Microsoft To Do, Photoshop Elements, and so on. If you want to uninstall those apps, here is how you can do that.
1.Right-click on an app that you want to uninstall.
2.Choose theUninstalloption.
3.It asks you to confirm the removal. To do that, click on theUninstallbutton on the popup window.
After that, you cannot find the app anymore.
7. How to Enable Dark Mode in Start Menu
If you have seen theWindows 11 featureslist, you might have noticed that the dark mode is more enhanced than before. Even if you haven’t activated your copy of Windows 11, you may stillchange the themeand switch between dark and light modes. However, the following steps are for those who have an activated copy of Windows 11.
1.PressWindows key+Ito open the Windows Settings.
2.Go toPersonalization > Colors.
3.Expand theChoose your colorlist, and selectDark.
It will enable the dark theme in Windows 11 Start Menu. The only problem with this method is that it turns on dark theme system-wide.
However, you can choose dark theme/color for Start Menu, Taskbar, and Action Center only.
1.ChooseCustomfrom theChoose your colorlist.
2.Select theDarkoption from theChoose your default Windows modeoption.
8. How to Make Start Menu Transparent In Windows 11
Transparent window or Start Menu background enhances the overall appearance to some point. The good news is that you’re able to apply the transparency effect on your Start Menu in Windows 11. Here’s how:
1.PressWindows key+Ito open the Windows Settings panel.
3.Toggle theTransparency effectsbutton.
That’s all! This setting changes the opacity level of the Start Menu, Taskbar, Action Center, Title bar, etc.
Wrap Up: Customize Start Menu in Windows 11
As of now, a few things are missing or deprecated that were available in Windows 10. For instance, you cannot enable the full-screen Start Menu and live tiles are gone. However, the existing options are still handy when you want to add or remove a few things from the Start Menu.
Also Read:15 Best Start Menu Customizations for Windows 10
Sudip is a freelance writer who has over nine years of experience in content writing. He loves to write about almost anything related to PC and mobile apps, how-to guides, tricks, and more.
