How to Force Enable the New Start Menu in Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 If It Doesn’t Automatically Activate

Windows 11 has introduced a significant redesign of its Start menu for the first time since 2021. This update features a revamped categories layout and integrates a new Phone Link panel on the right side of the Start menu. However, it’s important to note that this feature is being rolled out gradually, meaning it may not be immediately accessible even after installing all updates. Fortunately, there is a method to manually enable the new Start menu.

The redesigned Start menu is available in Windows 11 Build versions 26200.7019, 26100.7019, or newer, yet it is typically deactivated by default for most users. Microsoft has implemented this strategic phased rollout to ensure it can halt the deployment if any issues arise for early adopters.

If you’re eager to explore the new features, a third-party tool named ViVeTool can be utilized to enable the redesigned Start menu.

Enabling the New Start Menu in Windows 11

To get started, first download the October optional update for Windows 11, specifically KB5067036. Next, download the ViVeTool package from GitHub and extract the contents to a specific folder.

Create a folder named Vive and move it to the C drive for easy access. Although you can use a different drive, the C drive is generally more convenient. Follow the steps outlined below:

Ensure that Build 26200.7019 or 26100.7019+ is installed. This can be verified under Settings > System > About.
Open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
Navigate to the folder where you have extracted ViVeTool and copy the path from the address bar.
In Command Prompt, use the command cd followed by path_location to reach the folder where ViVeTool is located.
Type vivetool and press Enter. If correctly positioned, details about the tool will be displayed in the output.
To activate the Start menu, enter the command vivetool /enable /id:47205210.
Reboot your system.

Upon restarting, the new Start menu should be visible. If at any point you wish to revert to the previous Start layout, you can do so using the command vivetool /reset /id:47205210.

Comparing the New Start Menu with Previous Designs

Before addressing the shortcomings of the Windows 11 Start menu, let’s briefly contrast it with the design from Windows 10. The prior operating system featured a singular, scrollable page with Windows 8-style tiles positioned on the right. While it might not meet today’s “mobile-first”criteria, it was notably functional.

Windows 11 has transformed the Start menu into a dual-section layout. The upper segment displays pinned applications alongside a Recommended section, which many users criticize for being redundant, as it often mirrors information already accessible through the taskbar.

**Current Start menu in Windows 11 before revamp**

The latter section lists all installed applications but requires an additional click on the All button to access it, which is not well-received by users familiar with Windows 10’s accessibility.

all apps section windows 11 24h2 start menu

Introducing the Revamped Start Menu

Windows 11 new Start menu on larger screen vs smaller screen

The new design returns to a single-page layout, featuring a collapsible Pinned area, a dedicated Recommended section, and an enhanced All apps area with various layout options.

This unified layout is especially appealing as it allows for seamless scrolling. Importantly, users can now completely hide the Recommended section, a feature that previous versions lacked.

disable recommened section windows 11 start menu 25h2

The latest update introduces a completely revamped All apps section, now offering Category, Grid, and List display options, a welcomed improvement over the previous single-list format that many found cumbersome.

The addition of the Grid layout optimizes horizontal space, while the Category layout is highly recommended for reducing the need for scrolling, as it organizes apps into intuitive groups like Productivity and Tools.

This feature further allows for nested folders, enabling all related applications to be grouped neatly in a single box. While users currently cannot create new categories, it’s a feature that may very well be on Microsoft’s roadmap for future updates.

Today, users frequently organize apps into folders on mobile devices, suggesting that enabling custom folders and allowing manual placement of app icons could enhance personalization options for the Start menu in Windows 11.

What are your thoughts on the newly redesigned Start menu? We invite you to share your feedback in the comments below!

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