Microsoft Reveals the Redesigned Start Menu for Windows 11, and Here's How It Helps

Microsoft unveiled a redesigned Windows Start menu on May 13, 2025, promising a cleaner look and faster access to apps. The new design prioritizes simplicity, replacing the current tile-based system with a streamlined, icon-focused layout. According to the company’s design team, the update reduces clutter and improves usability by highlighting frequently used apps and removing less relevant content.

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The update rolls out initially to Windows Insiders in June 2025, with general availability expected later this year. Microsoft stated the redesign addresses long-standing feedback that the existing Start menu feels crowded and overwhelming. User research led the team to simplify visuals and enhance search speed, making the menu more responsive.

The redesign also integrates AI-powered app recommendations based on user behavior, dynamically displaying the most relevant apps. Users retain the option to customize their Start menu, pinning apps according to preference.

Microsoft’s last major Start menu overhaul came with Windows 11 in 2021, which itself had mixed user reactions due to the drastic shift from Windows 10’s layout. This latest change aims for broader acceptance by focusing on ease of use and efficiency.

Microsoft’s decision to ship a simpler, more conventional Start menu reflects its ongoing focus on familiarity and usability over experimentation. Still, some of the abandoned ideas may hint at future directions. A refresh expected later this year is set to combine the “All Apps” view with the main Start screen and allow users to turn off the controversial “Recommended” section.