Windows 11 Redesign: The New Start Menu Focused on Customization and user Feedback

With the digital landscape in a perpetual state of evolution, Microsoft’s continual refinement of Windows is a relentless effort to anticipate the needs and expectations of its vast user base. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the unveiling of the redesigned Start menu for Windows 11—a feature at the very heart of the Windows user experience. The latest iteration, preceding general availability, is set to roll out to Windows Insiders by the end of this month, serving as a public testament to Microsoft’s deep investment in user-centric design. To arrive at this final design, the company embarked on an unusually transparent journey, revealing not only key features and improvements, but also the deliberate process of experimentation and user testing that shaped every pixel and option.

The Start Menu’s Role in Modern Windows​

For decades, the Start menu has symbolized the gateway into the Windows operating system. In Windows 11, its redesign is more than mere visual polish—it’s an attempt to balance tradition with innovation, productivity with personalization. The stakes are high; missteps in Start menu design have proven costly in the past, most notoriously with Windows 8’s Start screen, which prompted vocal user pushback and hasty revisions. Windows 11’s new Start menu aims to avoid such pitfalls, drawing on extensive feedback and iterative prototyping to land at a solution that feels both familiar and refreshingly modern.

Behind the Curtain: The Road to Redesign​

The development of this Start menu was marked by methodical experimentation. According to an official Microsoft blog post, the design team explored five distinct prototypes, each reflecting different priorities and philosophies about how users access their digital lives. These early concepts included:

• A prominently rounded Start menu integrating widget functionality—a nod to the resurging popularity of modular, glanceable information panels.
• A “For You” section, aggregating personalized recommendations like Teams meetings, YouTube videos, and recently accessed files, aiming to contextualize daily productivity.
• A vertically scrolling menu, breaking from the traditional paginated or static approaches in favor of a more adaptable, scrollable experience.
• Categorized layouts with shortcut clusters to optimize rapid navigation and surface high-use items.
• Variations in companion panel integrations, which explored pop-out and side-by-side models for multitasking and information access.

This level of transparency is somewhat unusual in Microsoft’s history. By publishing not only the end result but also insights into what was tested—and ultimately rejected—the company fostered greater trust and anticipation among its vocal enthusiast community. While readers were invited to examine these scrapped prototypes, real decision-making was rooted in hard data, not aesthetics alone.

Data-Driven Design: How User Feedback Shaped the Menu​

Perhaps the most consequential facet of the process was Microsoft’s commitment to empirical feedback. Over 300 Windows 11 users participated in hands-on testing, providing direct commentary in addition to biometric and behavioral data. Microsoft’s design labs utilized tools such as:

• Eye-tracking: Measuring what elements drew attention, which clusters were overlooked, and how efficiently users located key features.
• Scroll analysis: Determining the ideal orientation, length, and density for lists in the Start menu.
• Contextual surveys and structured interviews: Allowing testers to articulate preferences, pain points, and wish-list items.

Notably, the final design incorporated changes inspired by both qualitative feedback (“I wish I could get rid of the clutter in Recommended”) and quantitative evidence (data showing which feeds and shortcuts improved navigation speed). The iterative approach also uncovered unexpected behaviors; for instance, some testers consistently ignored personalized “For You” feeds, illuminating the need for greater customization and information control.

What’s New: Key Features of the Redesigned Start Menu​

The new Start menu, as showcased in Microsoft’s latest announcements and hands-on previews, brings with it a suite of enhancements focused on flexibility, personalization, and mobile-device connectivity.

1. Customizable Layout and Optional Recommended Feed​

One of the most persistent criticisms of previous Windows 11 Start menu versions was the “Recommended” feed—a dynamic panel surfacing recently used apps and files. For many, this feature cluttered the interface and exposed personal content at awkward times, particularly in shared or professional settings.
Microsoft’s redesign allows users to fully disable the Recommended feed, resulting in a cleaner, more focused Start menu. For those who appreciate real-time recommendations, granular controls remain; users can opt to limit which apps or document types, if any, appear.

2. Persistent App List and Companion Panel​

While earlier concepts flirted with replacing the traditional app list, the new design keeps it at the forefront, reaffirming user demand for a predictable, navigable roster of installed applications. However, accompanying this is a companion panel on the right side—a feature reminiscent of sidebar paradigms in classic productivity apps.
This panel offers quick access to recent phone calls, messages, and files, particularly benefitting users with Android devices connected via Microsoft’s Phone Link integration. The goal is to further break down the walls between PC and mobile, surfacing cross-device activity contextually and securely.

3. “Bigger” Start Menu and Enhanced Accessibility​

In line with broader Windows 11 design philosophies, the new Start menu embraces larger touch targets, improved spacing, and scalable UI elements. This approach particularly aids users on touch-enabled devices and those who rely on assistive technologies, reflecting Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to accessibility.

4. Modern Aesthetic and Animation Improvements​

Visually, the menu adopts a subtler transparency effect, with softened corners and smooth transition animations. For users who value snappy responsiveness and contemporary design cues, this refinement should feel both delightful and unobtrusive.

5. Under-the-Hood Optimizations​

Though Microsoft remains coy on the specifics of performance improvements, early benchmarks from Insider builds suggest that opening and interacting with the Start menu is quicker and more resource-efficient, even on older hardware. However, until large-scale deployment, these performance gains should be considered provisional.

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Notable Improvements​

The iterative, user-centered approach taken with the Windows 11 Start menu redesign reflects a mature understanding of modern computing habits. Several strengths stand out in Microsoft’s process and final product:

Prioritizing User Feedback​

Microsoft’s willingness to not only solicit but meaningfully incorporate feedback from a wide swath of testers represents a high watermark for user-driven design, especially compared to the impositions of previous versions. This iterative development is likely to inspire greater satisfaction and reduced friction upon rollout.

Embracing Customization​

Allowing users to fully hide the Recommended feed is a nod to demands for privacy and decluttering—an increasingly important concern as work and home boundaries blur. Customization is now more intuitive, ensuring the Start menu adapts to the user, not the other way around.

Strengthening Continuity and Integration​

The companion panel’s Android connectivity, combined with the persistent app list, further cements Microsoft’s desire to serve as the central hub for digital activity. This design invites users to streamline cross-device workflows without the friction or redundancy of third-party utilities.

Accessibility Improvements​

Larger hit targets, careful use of color contrast, and attention to touch input support make the new menu a win for accessibility. For users with diverse needs, these incremental enhancements translate into tangible day-to-day benefits.

Transparency in Prototyping​

By sharing rejected prototypes and the rationale for their exclusion, Microsoft fosters goodwill and reassures its most passionate users that their input directly impacts final designs. This transparency is relatively rare in the history of interface development at this scale.

Potential Weaknesses and Risks​

While the redesign addresses long-standing issues and showcases a responsive approach to user criticism, some uncertainties and risks remain:

Ambiguity in Rollout Timeline and Functionality​

As of the latest update, only Insiders will receive the new Start menu immediately, with broader release to the general public occurring “in the coming months” without a precise timetable. Such ambiguity can frustrate users who are eager to adopt the changes or administrators seeking to plan large-scale deployments.
Additionally, Microsoft has yet to specify the update size or detail certain “enhanced functionalities” beyond the headline changes, making it challenging to evaluate potential resource impacts for organizations or users with bandwidth constraints.

Risk of Over-Customization​

While the introduction of more customizable options is a net positive, it also complicates support and documentation—not every user will instinctively understand how to tailor the Start menu, nor may they realize what’s possible. This can paradoxically lead to a more fragmented or confusing user experience for some cohorts, especially those who prefer set-and-forget defaults.

Performance Claims Require Cautious Optimism​

Though Insider reports on improved speed and efficiency are promising, these remain anecdotal until the features roll out at scale. Historically, the introduction of new UI paradigms has sometimes led to unexpected performance regressions or incompatibilities, and the real-world impact may differ across hardware generations.

Mobile Integration Limitations​

While the companion panel deepens Windows’ ties to Android, the degree of seamlessness can hinge on users’ willingness to adopt Microsoft or partner apps on their phones. Users invested in other platforms, such as iOS, may find the benefits more limited, raising questions about the universality of the Start menu’s new features.

Balancing Legacy and Innovation​

With every major redesign, a contingent of users is likely to prefer the “old way.” By maintaining the app list and core structure, Microsoft appears sensitive to this, but any shift—no matter how well-researched—is inevitably disruptive to some. The challenge: innovate without alienating a segment of the longtime fanbase.

Industry and Community Reaction​

Initial community reaction, as sampled from early Windows Insider discussions, Reddit threads, and feedback hubs, is cautiously optimistic. Many laud the newfound ability to tame or disable the Recommended feed; others express enthusiasm for richer device integration. Design purists and accessibility advocates also note the more spacious layout and improved legibility as standout improvements.
There remain, however, pockets of concern about unnecessary change for change’s sake and a desire for even deeper customization—such as true Start menu theming or alternate layouts for power users. Microsoft’s design team has signaled a willingness to further iterate in response to sustained feedback, but how fast these refinements arrive—or whether they address less mainstream requests—remains to be seen.

Looking Ahead: Release, Adoption, and Future Directions​

With Microsoft planning a phased release via the Windows Insider program, IT professionals and enthusiasts alike will have time to evaluate and provide feedback on the new Start menu. Assuming a favorable reception, rollout to all Windows 11 users will likely follow in a more ambitious servicing update later this year.
Pending additional details about update size and compatibility, organizations and advanced users may wish to begin familiarizing themselves with the new customization options and integration features, particularly if they manage mixed device fleets. Early adopter feedback will play a crucial role in surfacing any hidden bugs or mismatches in real-world contexts.
Meanwhile, the deliberate openness of Microsoft’s prototyping process suggests a broader shift in the company’s philosophy—a move toward real-time co-creation with its global user base, rather than insular development followed by post-hoc reactions. Should this model prove successful, it could set a precedent for how future Windows features are developed, tested, and refined.

Conclusion: A Start Menu for the Next Generation​

The Windows 11 Start menu redesign, finalized after months of exhaustive prototyping and rigorous user testing, underscores Microsoft’s commitment to marrying form, function, and user agency. The option to disable the Recommended feed, the introduction of a companion panel, and broader accessibility improvements all reflect a careful balancing act between legacy and progress. Though some uncertainty lingers about rollout specifics and longer-term impacts, this update stands as an encouraging sign that Microsoft remains deeply invested in listening to its audience and refining the Windows experience for years to come.
The Start menu may always be a lightning rod for impassioned opinions, but in its latest guise, it emerges as both a canvas for personalization and a bridge to an ever-blurrier world of cross-device collaboration—the kind of digital foundation modern users increasingly expect, and deserve, from their operating system.

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Source: digit.in Microsoft finalised new Windows 11 Start menu design after testing 5 prototypes: Key changes revealed

 

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Microsoft’s evolution of the Windows Start menu has always been more than cosmetic—it’s central to the operating system’s identity and daily usability. As Windows 11 matures, Microsoft has begun previewing a bold redesign for one of its most beloved yet controversial UI elements. Driven by feedback and an appetite for modern design sensibilities, the road to the new Start menu is paved with a medley of radical concepts, intensive user testing, and tough choices that speak volumes about the company’s vision for the future of Windows.

Unveiling the New Start Menu: Wider, Customizable, and User-Centric​

Microsoft’s latest iteration of the Windows 11 Start menu builds on the core principles that have defined Windows for decades: familiarity, efficiency, and flexibility. The proposed visual overhaul is not only more spacious—offering a wider layout for easier navigation—but also hands users more control than ever before. In fact, one of the most user-requested options is now center stage: the ability to disable the “recommended” feed of files and apps entirely. For those who found the feed distracting or irrelevant, this represents a notable UX improvement.
But the journey to this new form was anything but straightforward. Microsoft has been remarkably transparent about its internal design process, publicly sharing five of the boldest, and ultimately rejected, concepts that helped shape the final Start menu.

Radical Concepts: What Could Have Been​

Design iteration at Microsoft is not a solitary affair; it’s a process involving dozens of design professionals, rigorous user surveys, and sometimes surprising experiments. According to an in-depth blog post from the Windows design team, Microsoft put forward a series of concept designs exploring not just tweaks, but, in some cases, a complete rethink of how the Start menu could function in Windows 11.

1. Widget-Like Start Menu with Rounded Corners​

One early candidate reimagined the Start menu as a floating panel with heavily rounded edges and integrated widget-like functionality. The aim was to offer quick snippets of information—calendar appointments, weather updates, to-dos—directly in the main Start interface. This vision reflects ongoing trends in mobile and web UIs, where dashboards and glanceable content take priority over static lists.

2. Full-Height Vertical Experience​

Perhaps the most dramatic departure from tradition, another prototype stretched the Start menu to fill the entire vertical space on the left, echoing the navigation bars seen in some modern Mac and Linux desktop environments. A scrollable design, it was intended to place everything—apps, documents, settings, and even news—just a flick away. While it maximized screen real estate, testers felt it risked overwhelming everyday users and breaking long-standing muscle memory developed since Windows 95.

3. Personalized “For You” Section​

Leaning heavily into AI and user personalization, Microsoft envisioned a Start menu featuring a bold “For You” section. This area would aggregate personalized content: recent Teams meetings, YouTube video recommendations, frequently used files, and other contextually relevant items. One variation placed this section front and center, maximizing quick access but potentially cluttering the main interface. In another version, “For You” was off to one side, leaving the main area reserved for app categories and utility features.

4. App Landing Page with Integrated Phone Features​

A favorite among testers looking for broader platform integration, this design concept transformed the Start menu into a kind of dashboard. It combined not only shortcuts to key apps and recently used files, but also one-click access to Android phone integration, quick-creation tools, and productivity widgets. This vision directly responded to a growing segment of users who expect seamless continuity between their phone and PC experiences.

5. Streamlined Scrolling Menus​

Finally, some exploratory prototypes considered a fully scrollable, compact vertical Start menu. Echoing certain tablet UIs, this setup promised speed and extensibility at the cost of a steeper learning curve for traditional desktop users. Some feedback highlighted the risk of “out of sight, out of mind”—that critical but less-used apps might be buried deeper than before.

Rigorous User Testing: Behind the Scenes of Microsoft’s Design Lab​

What sets this redesign apart is the level of user-centered validation behind each iteration. The Windows design team didn’t just speculate; they built out sketches, Figma frames, and even hand-crafted paper prototypes to test their ideas in both digital and physical forms.
To track genuine user sentiment, Microsoft invited 300 Windows enthusiasts to run through daily tasks and explore each prototype. Eye-tracking heat maps revealed which parts of the designs drew focus and which elements users missed altogether. Co-creation calls—a relatively recent addition to Microsoft’s design arsenal—let testers join live feedback sessions, voice frustrations, and suggest refinements in real-time.
All this data informed the most critical decisions: How much should the Start menu change? Where do users genuinely want greater customization, and where does familiarity outweigh novelty? According to Microsoft’s blog, these debates often came down to the fine balance between power-user flexibility and broad accessibility.

Key Features and Practical Changes in the New Start Menu​

Following months of design experimentation and numerous rounds of feedback, Microsoft’s incoming Start menu introduces several notable changes:

• Wider Layout: The Start menu is now bigger horizontally, which means more pinned apps, easier navigation, and less scrolling.
• Optional “Recommended” Feed: Users who prefer a cleaner look can now turn off the often-criticized recommended section, making for a more straightforward app launcher.
• Customizable Layout: The number of app rows, widget visibility, and arrangement of menu elements are all more user-definable than ever.
• Phone Companion Panel: With phone integration high on many users’ wish lists, a new panel offers one-click access to calls, messages, and device files for those with Android devices linked to their PC.
• Modern Styling: The interface adopts Windows 11’s signature Fluent Design system—translucent backgrounds, subtle animations, and softer edges create a pleasing visual effect without sacrificing performance.

Analyzing the Impact: Strengths, Shortcomings, and the Road Ahead​

Strengths: A Clear Response to User Demands​

The new Start menu design is a direct result of years of community clamoring for more control and less unsolicited content. By making the recommended feed optional, Microsoft acknowledges that one size does not fit all—a point echoed by countless Reddit threads, forum complaints, and Windows Insider blog comments.
The phone companion panel is another strong addition, offering practical, immediate benefits for cross-device users. The increased customizability aligns with Windows’ reputation as a flexible OS, especially valuable at a time when rivals like macOS and ChromeOS are betting on locked-down, simplified menus.
Eye-tracking and community feedback loops also ensure that the most common usage patterns are prioritized—a strategy more likely to produce a broadly satisfying outcome than any amount of internal theorizing.

Potential Risks: Muscle Memory and Fragmented Experience​

Progress is rarely pain-free, and any significant Start menu change carries the possibility of backlash. Decades of muscle memory mean users often resist even beneficial changes—witness the fierce debates sparked by the Start screen in Windows 8 or the infamous “missing” Start button in early builds.
Another risk lies in customization itself. Paradoxically, the more options Microsoft presents, the more likely it is some users will find themselves confused or overwhelmed. Maintaining a strong default experience—elegant for casual users, efficient for power users—will be vital.
The “For You” personalization concept, though not part of the immediate rollout, still looms as a possibility for the future. AI-driven recommendations can generate privacy concerns or simply fail to surface genuinely relevant content. Microsoft will need to remain transparent about what data is used and give users granular control over personalized features.

Comparing with Competing Systems​

In the world of desktop OS design, Microsoft’s choices do not exist in a vacuum. Apple’s macOS has generally opted for stability, rarely changing its launchpad and dock over the years. ChromeOS has gone the opposite direction, opting for simplicity with its grid of web apps but adding more dynamic widgets and search integration in recent releases.
By offering a wider, more flexible Start menu, Windows 11 might be walking the line between these two philosophies. It provides the customizability and power that advanced users demand, but the core experience still echoes the Start menus of old.

User Feedback Drives the Future of Start​

Community involvement is at the core of this release. Microsoft has made clear that the new Start menu isn’t static; it’s currently being tested by members of the Windows Insider Program—Microsoft’s beta channel for early adopters—before rolling out to the general public.
Feedback cycles are shorter and more responsive than ever. Early tester screenshots show users embracing the ability to declutter their menus. Others express hope that future updates will allow even more personalization, such as themes, font choices, or elements drawn directly from their most-used third-party apps.
Microsoft seems genuinely committed to evolving the Start menu in line with these needs. Your feedback matters—whether voiced on forums, through crash reports, or during Insider surveys, it helps shape the Windows experience.

What This Means for Everyday Windows Users​

For the average user, what shows up in the Start menu often sets the tone for the entire OS experience. Corporate customers require quick access to a predictable set of tools; home users want an interface that adapts to their daily media and productivity needs. By offering a design that is both bigger and more modular, Microsoft is betting that it can satisfy both camps.
Removing the recommended feed or decluttering the interface is especially welcome in professional environments, where information overload is a real productivity concern. On the flip side, younger users or those with extensive app libraries will appreciate the wider menu and the option to pin more items on the first pane.

How to Try the New Start Menu Today​

For those eager to get hands-on with the new Start menu, enrollment in the Windows Insider Program is your best route. Joining the Dev or Beta channel allows you to test the latest OS builds, including UI changes as soon as they’re available outside Microsoft’s labs.
Once the changes roll out broadly, updating Windows 11 through the standard Settings app is expected to bring the redesigned Start menu to millions of PCs. Microsoft has stated that it will monitor feedback closely during this phased launch, with the possibility of further tweaks before the new menu becomes standard.

Looking Forward: The Future of UI Customization in Windows​

Microsoft’s recent transparency in design is a refreshing change from past eras, where major UI changes could appear with little warning or explanation. By showing users both accepted and rejected concepts, the company encourages a sense of participation in the platform’s ongoing development.
This approach is likely to continue, as Microsoft looks to integrate future technologies—such as Copilot AI, cross-device continuity, and cloud-driven workspaces—into its core OS experience. Expect the Start menu to remain a living canvas where radical ideas and user-led refinement continue to shape the daily rhythm of work and play.

Key Takeaways​

• The redesigned Windows 11 Start menu is more customizable, optional in its clutter, and ready for cross-device integration.
• Microsoft explored multiple radical designs, from a full-height scrollable menu to widget-heavy dashboards, before settling on a balanced new default.
• Intensive user testing, including eye-tracking and live co-creation, ensured that the menu aligns with real-world needs rather than designer intuition alone.
• Allowing removal of the recommended feed and adding a phone companion panel directly address long-standing user requests.
• Risks remain: changes to such a central Windows feature must be carefully managed to avoid confusion or resistance.
• The process isn’t over—future Start menu evolution will continue to be shaped by Windows Insider feedback and advances in personalization technology.

Windows 11’s new Start menu is the product of both audacious design thinking and real-world pragmatism. Whether you’re a power user seeking efficiency, a designer valuing aesthetic improvement, or a casual user looking for less clutter, Microsoft’s latest approach signals a keener awareness than ever of what Windows users want—and why they keep coming back.

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Source: NoMusica.com Microsoft Reveals Bold Concept Designs for the New Start Menu in Windows 11