Windows Start Menu is one of the most essential features in navigating your computer. Indeed, it would give you quick access to apps and other important files and settings in your system. If you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11, chances are that you can customize the Start Menu to fit your workflow and preferences. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to customize the Start Menu so that your Windows PC works the way you want it to.
Why Customize the Start Menu?
A customized Start Menu helps boost your productivity and enhances the user experience in a system, thereby:
- Granting quick access to frequently used apps and files.
- Enhancing quick navigation through your system.
- Space organize to your working style.
- Personalize your PC to your way of work.
1. Pin Apps to Start Menu
By pinning the most frequently used apps to the Start Menu, the developers provide quick entry without the need for hunting them down .
How to Pin Apps
- Windows 10:
Open the Start Menu by using Windows key -> Find the app you're looking to pin -> Right-click on the app and select Pin to Start -> The application will now begin to appear as a tile in your Start Menu.
- Windows 11
Open the Start Menu -> Search for the application you wish to pin or find it from the applications list -> Right click on it and select Pin to Start.
2. Resize Start Menu Tiles (Windows 10 Only)
In Windows 10, the Start Menu uses tiles for apps. You can resize these tiles either to attract attention to your most-used applications or use more space for more apps.
How to Resize
- Open the Start Menu.
- On the Start Menu, right-click on a pinned app tile.
- Select Resize and choose between small, medium, wide, or large.
3. Create folders fo better organization (Windows 11)
Windows 11 allows you to group apps together as folders, just like on your smartphone, so the Start Menu appears clean and organized.
How to Make Folders
Open the Start Menu -> Drag one app icon over another to make the folder -> Tap on the folder to rename it and reorder the apps inside
Why Use Folders?
- You can use folders to organize your apps to de-clutter your Start Menu.
- It organizes apps by activity or function, such as work, entertainment, tools.
4. Customize the Layout (Windows 11)
Windows 11 now introduces customization for your Start Menu layout, along with items in the menu.
How to Customize Layout:
Click on the right-side Taskbar and select Taskbar settings -> Scroll down and click on Start -> Here you can just enable or disable a set of options to Show recently added apps, most-used apps, and recently opened items .
5. Customize Appearance of Start Menu
Customize the look of your Start Menu and make it good looking and more according to your taste.
Change Color Scheme:
Click here on the desktop and open Personalize -> Tap on Colors from the left-hand side menu -> Scroll down and select any color for your Start Menu, Taskbar, and Action Center -> Choose from a pre-configured Color theme, or configure your own
Use Light or Dark mode
Settings > Personalization > Colors > Choose one to apply: Light, Dark, or Custom; essentially the two combined
6. Control Recommended Items (Windows 11)
A "Recommended" section is added in the Start Menu containing recently opened files and apps. This feature is a nice addition; if you like this feature you can hide or change what there should be to show on this section.
How to Customize Recommended Section:
Open Settings > Go to Personalization > Start > Uncheck these options: Show recently added apps, Show most used apps, and Show recently opened items.
7. Adding or Removing Folders from Start Menu in Windows 11
You can also add or remove certain system folders, such as Documents, Pictures, and Downloads, to appear next to the Power button in the Start Menu so they're easier to get at.
Add or Remove Folders
Settings > Personalization > Start> Folders > Activate On or Off the folders which you prefer to show alongside the Power button in the menu Start.
8. Position of the Start Menu adjustable (Windows 11)
The Start Menu is now centered by default in Windows 11, but you can easily move it back to the left side of the screen if that's where it typically makes you feel at ease.
How to Move Start Menu
Right-click the Taskbar and click on Taskbar settings > Scroll down to click Taskbar behaviors > In Taskbar alignment, choose Left to place your Start Menu at the left side of the screen.
9. Unpin Unused Apps
There may be apps that you find are automatically pinned, but you would rather they weren't. Unpin them to get rid of some of that extra crap in your Start Menu.
How to Unpin Apps:
Click the Start button > Right-click an app you'd like to remove > Click Unpin from Start.
10. Configure Live Tiles (Windows 10)
Live Tiles shows real-time information such as weather updates, news, and other calendar events on the Start Menu in Windows 10.
Enabling Live Tiles:
Right-clicking a pinned tile > Turn live tile on.
Customizing the Windows Start Menu puts you firmly in charge of your desktop environment. That will probably make your work more efficient and personalized. Whether running Windows 10 or Windows 11, enjoy every minute of these customization tips on creating the perfect workflow and personalized style of your Start Menu. Take a little while to explore these features and make the Start Menu really yours!
Just follow these few steps, and your Start Menu will become a powerful assistant tailored exactly to your needs.
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