Exploring the Improved Design of Windows 11’s New Start Menu

In recent months, Microsoft has been refining some exciting features for the Windows 11 Start menu, with significant updates revealed in the latest Build 22635.4805. Windows Latest had the opportunity to explore these enhancements firsthand, and the enhancements are indeed noteworthy.

Though an official confirmation from Microsoft is pending, speculations suggest that these intriguing adjustments might be unveiled at the upcoming Microsoft Build 2025 conference, which is expected to spotlight AI advancements. Interestingly, the Start menu itself incorporates AI functionalities into its design.

Users can soon anticipate three distinct options for viewing apps in the “All” apps list: the traditional Name list, alongside the newly introduced Name grid and Category options.

Reimagining the Windows 11 App List

For many years, the app list layout has remained static, necessitating endless scrolling to locate installed applications. This new development aims to change that.

Upon enabling the new app viewing settings on our machine, the Name grid option emerged as a much more intuitive interface. It is reminiscent of layout designs prevalent in other major operating systems, providing a user-friendly experience.

The Name grid operates smoothly without any hiccups during our testing process. Even more engaging is the new Category feature, which organizes apps into customizable folders based on similar functionalities.

By clicking on an app within a category box, users can instantly launch the application, whereas clicking on the smaller clustered app icons prompts a folder view showcasing all apps within that category.

During our testing, the default categories presented included Utilities & Tools, Productivity, Creativity, Entertainment, and Others. However, some inconsistencies were noted, such as the Maps app appearing in the Other category rather than Utilities.

At present, users cannot modify or create new categories which may be understandable, considering the limitations in Windows identifying context. This limitation parallels Apple’s iOS 17, which also employs a similar app grouping method without user customization.

The categorization incorporates AI and Machine Learning to evaluate app names and metadata alongside external data sources to assign them a category, leading to a dynamic experience unique to each user’s setup.

This automated grouping feature draws similarities with the tab organization in Microsoft Edge, which similarly categorizes tabs. The app animations and transitions are additional highlights that run smoothly, enhancing user experience.

While the Categories feature showcases a promising potential reminiscent of Windows 10’s Live Tiles, it leaves one pondering Microsoft’s rationale behind its previous discontinuation.

Windows Live Tiles comparison with categories

Those wishing to explore these new features must be part of the Beta Channel for Windows Insider Preview, particularly starting from Build 22634.4800.

Despite the overall success in our tests, some users have reported complications such as application crashes, stirring curiosity about Microsoft’s commitment to ongoing improvements or if these features will remain under wraps.

Integrating Phone Link with the Start Menu

Additionally, Microsoft’s Phone Link app, under development for nearly seven years, is finally rolling out features that might boost its popularity and reduce the frequency with which users must access the app.

Previously, Windows Insiders in both Dev and Beta channels got a glimpse of Phone Link features embedded directly within the Start menu. Android users gained the ability to view their phone’s battery status, messages, calls, and photos in a dedicated panel alongside the Start menu.

These enhancements are now available for iOS users too, bringing new functionality, including a convenient Share button for seamless file transfers. Moreover, users can easily connect their smartphones to Phone Link right from the Start menu.

You can choose to hide this panel, although it will likely be activated by default. Our testing revealed that with the new Phone Link features on devices running Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 4805, accessing battery status and recent notifications was never easier.

This not only provides a quick glance at essential information but also streamlines the entire user experience, diminishing the need to launch the Phone Link app frequently.

The Recent section conveniently displays the latest photos, calls, and messages. Innovation plans could include incorporating media controls into this feature down the line for even greater usability.

Moreover, the “Send files”functionality directly allows file transfers from your PC to your phone through a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.

Share window for Phone Link in Start menu

Additionally, there are customization options for the Recent activity menu, enabling adjustments to what items appear alongside the Phone Link app itself. This feature embodies Microsoft’s mission of creating more integrated experiences among diverse operating systems, further enhancing Windows 11’s capabilities.

Expectations for new features in Windows 11 remain high as we look forward to more announcements during the Microsoft Build Conference in Seattle, running from May 19 to May 22, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the new viewing options for apps in Windows 11’s Start menu?

Windows 11 will soon provide three options for viewing apps: a traditional Name list, a Name grid for a more compact view, and a Category layout that groups apps by functionality.

2. Is the Phone Link integration in Windows 11 limited to Android users?

No, the Phone Link integration is now available for both Android and iOS users, allowing seamless access to messages, calls, and photos directly from the Start menu.

3. How do I access the new features in Windows 11?

To access the new features, you must be a member of the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Preview, specifically with a version starting from Build 22634.4800.

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