Windows 11 Testing New Look for Start Menu: Unified List & Flexible Options

Windows 11 Insiders on the Dev Channel are getting first dibs on a revamped Start menu. The big change? Separate tabs are gone, replaced by one unified, scrollable list. That means all your apps — pinned ones and everything installed — are now on a single page without needing to jump between sections.

Instead of tabs, you just scroll vertically. No more clicking between "Pinned" and "All apps" — the full list is right there. The menu also adapts better, automatically resizing to fit your screen. The "Recommended" section is now customizable: you can hide it completely in Settings, and if it's empty, the menu smartly collapses itself to free up more room for your apps.

There are also two new sorting options. The first groups apps automatically into categories like "Office" or "Games." The second sticks with the classic alphabetical list but adds a smarter layout for widescreen displays. Plus, the "All apps" list isn't tucked away on a separate tab anymore — it's built right into the main view, making it quicker and easier to access.

Build 26200.5641 includes several related improvements. Lock screen widgets are now customizable — you can add, remove, and rearrange them. Another new feature is the Narrator's "Screen curtain" mode: it blacks out your screen while keeping the voice feedback active, boosting privacy when using your device.

It's important to note: these features are currently only available to Dev Channel Insiders who have the "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" option turned on in Windows Update settings. A final release date hasn't been announced yet, as testing continues. Microsoft's core focus with these changes is speeding up app access and making the interface adapt better across different devices.