Microsoft revamped the Windows 11 Start menu design last year, a redesign that’s still gradually rolling out to users on versions 24H2 and 25H2. While an evolution on the Start menu is sorely welcome, there’s been widespread criticism of its new look and behavior, including the fact that it’s simply too big and takes up too much screen space.
So maybe it’s no surprise to hear that Microsoft is planning yet another redesign of the Start menu for later this year, having taken the criticism to heart and moving forward with another iteration that will hopefully be better received—and more in line with its Windows goals.
According to an Insider build of Windows 11 (spotted by Windows Latest), several changes to the Start menu are already being tested, going “considerably further than what reached regular users in 2025.”
One big change will be the option to resize the Start menu, with a Large preset that shows more pinned apps and bigger category sections, and a Small preset that shrinks down for a more compact view that’s better suited for smaller resolution screens.
Another change will be additional toggles that let you hide the pinned section, apps list section, and recommended section. You’ll also be able to hide your account name and profile image.
And it’s not just visual changes. The once-more-revamped Start menu will come with some performance boosts as well, helped in part by the new Low Latency Profile feature that revs up the CPU when performing certain repetitive tasks (like opening the Start menu), but also in part due to Microsoft rebuilding the Start menu with native WinUI.
These Start menu changes and benefits are expected to arrive when Windows 11 26H2 releases in October of this year.
