The November 2025 update for Windows 11 has introduced a completely overhauled Start menu, which is now the most customizable version to date. Upon pressing the Windows key, users will notice that the Start menu occupies a significant portion of the screen.
Indeed, the Start menu has seen a significant increase in size, now utilizing approximately 90% of vertical screen space—up from the previous range of 50% to 60%.This change coincides with a redesign that integrates a full app list on a single page. Users with the Phone Link feature activated will find that the Start menu can occupy the entire screen.
If you have upgraded to Windows 11 with the KB5068861 update and do not see an altered Start menu design, it may simply be due to the gradual rollout of this feature. For those who prefer the previous styling, enjoy it while you can, as reverting back to the old design post-update is not an option.
Enhanced Customization in the Start Menu
With the November update, the Start menu has transformed into a more user-friendly interface, although it elicits mixed emotions among users who may be resistant to change. Nevertheless, Microsoft has managed to create a cohesive space where pinned apps, recommendations, and the entire application library coexist without the need for switching between different sections.
Following the update, the default view is now categorized, sorting applications into sections such as Productivity, Entertainment, and Utilities. Users can opt for a Grid view, similar to app icons seen on Android and iOS, although this often leaves gaps that seem inefficient. A standard List view remains available as well. Another notable enhancement allows users to remove the Recommended section, increasing the compactness and usability of the Start menu.
When used on larger displays, the Start menu automatically expands to present additional pinned applications and recommendations, depending on the screen size and resolution. However, real-world usage suggests that many users may not experience the expected compactness.
Space Consumption of the New Start Menu
On a 14-inch screen with a resolution of 1920×1080, the new Start screen appears overwhelmingly large, consuming nearly 90% of the vertical space. The following illustration shows how it looks with the scale set to 100%:
It’s clear that the Start menu occupies an excessive amount of vertical space. While the Recommended section contributes to this, disabling it does not substantially reduce the overall size of the Start menu.
Some users might suggest that removing a row of pinned apps would lead to a more compact Start menu design. However, even with one less row of pinned apps, the overall height remains unchanged, often revealing wasted white space at the bottom of the All apps view.
Changing the view to List or Grid also has no impact on the height of the Start menu, contrary to Microsoft’s claims of a dynamic adaptation to screen size.
This issue becomes more pronounced for users who activate the mobile device feature on the Start menu, further enlarging the screen presence.
Users preferring larger text for improved readability may find themselves with an even larger Start menu if they scale their settings to 125%, further diminishing available screen space.
For users with 720p displays at 100% scale, the Start menu almost reaches the top of the screen, demonstrating its intrusive sizing.
Conversely, users with 4K displays may find relief in a smaller Start menu, particularly at 150% scale. However, reading text on a 14-inch display at this scale can prove challenging.
For optimal usability, increasing the scale to 175% may yield a more comfortable experience on a 14-inch 4K screen, minimizing the Start menu’s overt dimensions.
For a nostalgic reminder, take a look at the previous version of the Start menu:
Clearly, the older version of the Start menu managed space more efficiently. Yet, even then, removing recommended content often resulted in unutilized space.
As you adjust to the latest updates, experiment with your display settings by navigating to Settings > Display > Scale. Maximize your resolution for optimal performance and adjust your text size via Settings > Accessibility > Text size. This can help you achieve a more tailored experience with the Start menu.
Interestingly, Windows 10 allowed users to easily resize the Start menu—a feature many users miss in Windows 11.
Comparing Windows 10 and Windows 11’s Start Menus
In Windows 10, users could resize the Start menu simply by dragging its edges, offering a level of personalization that many found appealing.
This flexibility to adjust sizing was a significant advantage. Additionally, Windows 10 permitted positioning the taskbar on any side of the screen, enhancing user customization.
The capacity to reposition the taskbar vertically has been a widely requested feature for Windows 11. Prominent figures, like Fortnite creator Tim Sweeney, have advocated for its return.
However, Microsoft’s focus has shifted toward integrating more features into the taskbar experience, like the recently unveiled Agent mode. Consequently, adapting taskbar and Start menu positioning appears to be of lesser priority.
As complicated as it may seem to create a more compact Start menu, it’s clear that establishing this functionality is not an immediate concern for Microsoft, perhaps due to its complexity.
Even with its shortcomings, users appreciate the enhanced customization options available in the new Start menu. However, the significant spatial footprint it occupies leaves room for improvement.
The November 2025 update has reached all users, albeit gradually. As your PC transitions to this update, do you find the increased size of the Start menu bothersome? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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