Windows 11 24H2 Start Menu Adapts Size According to Screen Resolution

Windows 11 24H2 Start Menu Adapts Size According to Screen Resolution

The Adjustable Start Menu in Windows 11 24H2: A Game Changer for UI Flexibility

With the recent rollout of Windows 11’s 24H2 update, users are greeted with an innovative and responsive Start menu that dynamically adjusts to fit varying screen sizes and resolutions. After testing this exciting feature in earlier preview builds, I am thrilled to share my thoughts on its impact. Personally, I find the adaptability of the Start menu to be incredibly beneficial, as it optimizes user experience across diverse setups.

Understanding the Fixed Nature of the Previous Start Menu

Prior to this update, the Start menu in Windows 11 had a consistent size, which often resulted in awkward visual proportions on larger screens. For users with high-resolution monitors, the Start menu appeared disproportionately small, forcing them to alter screen resolution or scaling settings—a process that could disrupt how other applications were displayed.

Conversely, on smaller screens or at lower resolutions, the previous version of the Start menu tended to dominate the screen real estate, taking up as much as 70-80% of visible space. This imbalance made navigating the menu somewhat cumbersome, diminishing the overall experience. Fortunately, Microsoft has implemented an effective solution with the new adjustable Start menu.

Exploring the Features of the New Start Menu

Start menu high resolution large screen
The Start menu adapts effectively on high-resolution, low-scale settings

The new Start menu impressively utilizes screen space on larger displays. Users can now appreciate a layout featuring:

  • Eight columns for pinned applications.
  • Four columns for categorized items.
  • Six recommendations if the feature is activated.

For instance, as illustrated in the above image, at a resolution of 2307×1337 and scaling set to 100%, the Start menu efficiently expands to fill the available space. This adjustment is crucial for enhancing productivity by facilitating easier access to applications and information.

Dynamic Adjustments: Testing Different Screen Scenarios

Start menu display scaling

The screenshots above document a significant transformation that occurs when adjusting display settings. When increasing the scaling to 150% from the default of 100%, the Start menu recalibrates itself seamlessly:

Start menu low resolution

During the test conducted at a lower resolution, pinned applications adjust to a maximum of six items, while the recommendations section scales down to four items, accompanied by three columns of categories. This variability highlights the responsive design of the Start menu, which remains user-friendly on both ends of the resolution spectrum.

Customizability and User Preferences

One notable aspect of the new Start menu is that individual sections, such as Pinned and Recommended apps, are also responsive. For users with fewer pinned apps, it’s possible to see just one row displayed. If recommendations aren’t useful to you, there’s also an option to turn off the feature through Settings, tailoring the Start menu to personal preferences.

While I commend Microsoft for introducing such beneficial adjustments, I believe an additional feature that allows users to manually resize the Start menu—similar to the options available in Windows 10—would further enhance usability.

What are your thoughts on these changes? Share your feedback in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the new adjustable Start menu enhance user experience?

The adjustable Start menu optimizes the user interface by dynamically changing its size based on screen resolution and scaling, making navigation easier and reducing clutter on both large and small screens.

2. Can I customize the recommendations shown in my Start menu?

Yes! You can easily turn off the recommended apps feature in the Settings menu, allowing you to personalize your Start menu according to your needs and preferences.

3. Is there a way to manually resize the Start menu like in previous versions?

Currently, there isn’t an option to manually resize the Start menu in Windows 11 as you could in Windows 10. However, users are encouraged to provide feedback to Microsoft regarding this feature for potential future updates.

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