How to customize the Windows 11 Start menu

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Check How to customize the Windows 11 Start menu

The blank Windows 11 Start menu is oversimplified and cluttered. The moment you upgrade from Windows 10, you lose all Start menu customization and get a lot of pre-installed apps. While you can customize the Windows 11 Start menu, your options are limited. We’ll show you how you can change the Windows 11 Start menu and what to do if that’s not enough.

How to customize the Windows 11 Start menu

Change taskbar and Start menu alignment

Among the first changes you’ll notice in Windows 11 is the taskbar and Start menu location. Microsoft has decided to move it to the center for aesthetic and usability reasons. While I quite like the new location, you may prefer it in the original position. Fortunately, you can revert the changes and move the taskbar to the left. To change the alignment of the taskbar.

  • Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar Settings.
  • You can also go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar to access taskbar settings.
  • Scroll down and click Taskbar Behaviors.
  • Click the drop-down menu for taskbar alignment and select Left. The Windows 11 taskbar will now move to the left.

The Recommended section on the new Start screen works with Microsoft 365. It shows your most recently installed apps, open files, and other recommendations. If you don’t want everyone to know about your recent activities, you can turn it off in settings.

  • Press Win + I to open Settings.
  • Next, open the Personalization tab on the left panel.
  • Click Start.
  • Here, toggle the switch for Show Recently Opened Item on Start, Skip List, and File Explorer to Off.
  • Now if you click Start, you will find a vacant space under Recommended. To fill the gap, you can display recently installed apps.
  • Go to Personalization > Home and toggle the switch for Show recently added apps to On.

Windows 11 comes with a new simplified context menu. It is less cluttered and shows only the most used options.

However, the classic context menu is still part of Windows 11. To access it, right-click in File Explorer and select Show more options to open an additional menu. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Shift + F10 to access this option.

Customize instant windows

With the new Snap Windows feature, you can automatically resize and arrange windows on your screen. If you’re used to the Win + Arrow shortcut in Windows 10, the new iteration takes it a step further. However, the shortcuts are still effective. To fit windows in Windows 11, hover over the Maximize/Resize button and you’ll see a fit template. Choose your preferred template for the active window, and then continue adjusting other windows accordingly.

Where is Task Manager?

In Windows 10, you can access Task Manager directly from the taskbar. However, that has changed in Windows 11. While there are several ways to access Task Manager in Windows 11, one easy way to do so is from the Start menu. To open Task Manager, right-click Start or press Win + X and select it from the WinX menu that appears.

Windows 11 no longer allows you to pin folders to the Start menu. Instead, you can add system folders including File Explorer, Settings, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, and the Personal folder to Start. To pin folders to your Start menu.

  • Press Win + I to open Settings.
  • Click the Personalization tab on the left panel.
  • Next, click Start and then Folders.
  • Here you can choose which folders appear in Start next to the power button. To add, toggle the switch for each folder and set it to On.

Hide widget and chat app

By default, the new taskbar features the Widget and Chat (Microsoft Team) app. The widget app lets you check information related to weather, sports, nearby traffic, Windows app tips, calendars, and more at a glance. However, if you prefer to have more space on the taskbar, you can disable it in the settings.

To hide the Microsoft Team app and widget:

  • Open the Settings panel using Win + I.
  • Then go to Personalization and open Taskbar.
  • In the taskbar items, toggle the Widgets and Chat switch to Off.

Customize the quick settings panel

Microsoft has split the classic Action Center into two separate pop-up windows in Windows 11. Click the Date and Time area to open the notification panel and Calendar. Click the network, speaker and battery icon to access the settings panel. It consists of its brightness and volume controls, connectivity options, and other accessibility features. Click the Pencil icon (Edit Quick Settings) to add more features. Next, click Add and then select the feature to add. Unpin a feature to remove it from the dashboard.

Manage open applications from the desktop

If you work with several applications at the same time, switching between them can be difficult. You can use the Ctrl + Tab shortcut to switch between apps easily. To manage apps, hold down Ctrl + Tab to see all your open apps. To switch between apps, use the arrow or tab key. You can also use the Ctrl + Tab keyboard shortcut to jump between apps in the most recently used order.

Windows Shake title bar

Windows 11 has another cool trick up its sleeve called “title bar window movement”. When enabled, it allows you to minimize all open windows except your active window with a flick. To enable the movement of windows from the title bar.

  • Go to Settings > System > Multitasking.
  • Next, toggle the switch to shake the title bar window and set it to On.
  • To try it out, press and hold the title bar of any open window and shake it a bit to minimize all but one window. Shake it again a bit to restore the minimized windows.

Use Focus Assist to minimize distractions

Windows 11 has borrowed some useful features from its predecessor and made it easier to use. Focus Assist, introduced in Windows 10, helps you minimize distractions and increase productivity by silencing less important notifications during work hours. To enable Focus Assist, go to Settings > System > Focus Assist. Then select Priority only to see some selected notifications or Alarms only to hide all notifications except alarms. You can also set up automatic rules to start Focus Assist during set times and while you’re doing specific activities.

Use Focus Session to increase productivity

The new Windows 11 clock app features a Focus Sessions tab. This tool is a useful productivity-focused feature that can help you develop healthy digital habits, set daily goals, and challenge yourself. When you open the Focus Session tab, you’ll see a focus timer, your daily progress report, and options to sync your Spotify playlist and Microsoft To-Do account. To start your Focus session.

  • Press Win + S to open the search bar.
  • Type clock and open the app from the search list.
  • In the Clock app, open the Focus session tab.
  • Next, set your daily goal of studying or working in hours. Focus Session will automatically include a few five-minute breaks every 30 minutes.
  • Click the Start Focus Session button and start working until the reminder popup asks you to take a few minutes break.

Enable dark mode and night light

Another useful feature that comes from Windows 10 is the ability to choose different display modes for the user interface. You can select Dark, Light, and Custom color mode to change the colors that appear in Windows and its applications. To enable Dark Mode in Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Personalization > Colors. Then click the dropdown menu for Choose your mode and select Dark.

Final remarks: How to customize the Windows 11 Start menu

I hope you understand this article, How to customize the Windows 11 Start menu. If your answer is no, you can ask anything via the contact forum section related to this article. And if your answer is yes, please share this article with your friends and family to give us your support.

James Hogan
James Hogan
James Hogan is a notable content writer recognized for his contributions to Bollyinside, where he excels in crafting informative comparison-based articles on topics like laptops, phones, and software. When he's not writing, James enjoys immersing himself in football matches and exploring the digital realm. His curiosity about the ever-evolving tech landscape drives his continuous quest for knowledge, ensuring his content remains fresh and relevant.

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