Windows 11 Update: Start Menu Recommendations May Become Optional

Exciting Updates to the Windows 11 Start Menu: A Focus on Pinned Apps

The Start menu has emerged as a key area of focus during recent Windows 11 feature updates. With thrilling developments underway, users can expect enhanced user experiences through multiple personalization options, including a potential new layout for the Pinned Apps section. This could allow users to disable the Recommendation feed entirely or even expand the Start menu’s height, delivering a more streamlined interface.

Recently, a user under the handle Phantomofearth identified a new toggle feature in a Windows 11 preview update. This toggle, named “Show all pins by default, ”is poised to offer users enhanced control over how their pinned apps are displayed.

Current Layout Options: A Quick Overview

As it stands, users can choose from three layout options in the Start menu’s Personalization settings:

More Pins: Prioritizes pinned apps but can lead to having to scroll to see all entries.
Default: A balanced choice that offers a mix of pins and recommendations.
More Recommendations: This layout emphasizes the recommendations section, reducing the visibility of pinned apps.

While the “More Pins”option tends to be popular, users often find themselves frustrated with having to scroll through multiple pages to view additional pinned applications.

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Envisioning the New Pinned Apps Layout

With the “Show all pins by default” toggle, users might see an interface adjustment that displays all pinned icons on the first screen, eliminating the need to scroll. Achieving this ambitious layout would likely require Microsoft to either remove the recommendation section entirely or reduce icon sizes significantly. Should users have a large number of pinned apps—say more than 30—the reduction in size could lead to illegibility for app names and icons, impacting usability.

Another possible improvement involves increasing the height of the Start menu to accommodate more pinned apps. However, there’s an important consideration: a logical limit on the number of applications that users can pin. An overcrowded menu can lead to chaos, reminiscent of an overloaded desktop, which can really detract from user experience.

Although Microsoft could theoretically eliminate the recommendation section to provide more room for pinned apps, their recent feature updates indicate a lack of emphasis in this direction. Instead, the last few updates have focused on maintaining the balance between pinned apps and recommendations.

Even with all personalization settings disabled, users still encounter recently accessed apps in the recommendation area, and, frustratingly, there is no existing option to permanently hide them. This raises the question: could the upcoming features indeed allow users to toggle off the Recommendation section for a more app-centric view? There is a possibility, but it may hinge on Microsoft’s intent to redesign the Start menu’s height instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the latest improvements to the Windows 11 Start menu?

The latest improvements focus on Pinned Apps, including a new toggle to view all pins by default and the potential to adjust the height of the Start menu to display more apps without scrolling.

2. How can I customize my Start menu layout in Windows 11?

You can customize your Start menu layout through the Personalization settings, where you can choose from options like More Pins, Default, and More Recommendations, tailoring the view according to your preferences.

3. Will I be able to disable the Recommendation section in the Start menu?

While there is hope that upcoming features may allow users to disable the Recommendation section, current settings do not provide a permanent hiding option for recently accessed apps.

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