14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has announced a bunch of new Windows 11 Start menu customization options as part of the most recent preview build released to insiders.
The Start menu has received a massive transformation with the release of Windows 11. Instead of live tiles, the Start menu now uses the approach originally introduced in Windows 10X, with a static approach therefore replacing the previous design.
The Start menu is also centered, just like the rest of the taskbar icons, and Microsoft says this significantly helps improve the productivity on a Windows 11 device.
Thanks to Windows 11 build 22509, the Start menu now comes with additional improvements, with users allowed to change the default layout by opting to see more pins or more recommendations.
Without a doubt, given many people aren’t big fans of recommendations in the first place, there’s a chance the majority of users would just stick with the pins they configured.
Secondary monitor improvements
In addition to the Start menu layout improvements, Microsoft has also announced a refined experience on computers where secondary monitors are enabled.
“When a secondary monitor is connected, your clock and date will now also be displayed on the taskbars of the secondary monitor or monitors for glanceability. [We are beginning to roll this change out, so it isn’t available to all Insiders just yet as we plan to monitor feedback and see how it lands before pushing it out to everyone,” the company said in the official release notes.
The new improvements for the Start menu will most likely make their way to production devices as part of the next feature update for Windows 11. This one doesn’t yet have an ETA, so it’ll probably spend more time in the Insider program, allowing Microsoft to make sure everything is working as planned.