We're only talking about test versions of Windows, but the change is here.
Over the years, Microsoft has always prided itself on maintaining an excellent level of compatibility: applications designed for Windows 8 or even Windows Vista can still run on Windows 11. This is an indisputable asset that has played a major role in the operating system's success... far more so, in any case, than customization options: an aspect that is clearly not Microsoft's forte, as it often imposes major interface changes on its users without giving them much choice. The Start menu is an excellent example of this, but the release of new versions of Windows 11 on the Dev and Beta channels could well change all that, as Windows Latest explains in a very interesting article on the new customization options for the Start menu.
The new Start menu and the old one © Windows Latest
Windows Latest talks about builds 26200.5518 and 26120.3671, which feature a completely redesigned Start menu. The first change is that Microsoft has abandoned the "double view" that required you to open the menu and then click on "All" to see the list of all applications. This list has now been moved to the main screen of the Start menu, accessible from the first click on the Windows icon. At last! This same screen is better organized, offering users greater freedom to choose between three display modes: alphabetical list, categories or grid of icons. Better still, it's now possible - but not compulsory - to completely do away with the "recalled" section, with its recent files and not-always-happy suggestions from Microsoft. These welcome changes are not the only ones, but before we get too excited, it's worth noting that all this is still only under test at Microsoft and that, even for users with access to the Dev and Beta channels, you have to type one line via the CD command to activate all this: vivetool /enable /id:49402389,49221331,47205210,48433719 (including spaces). Fingers crossed that customization is Microsoft's new mania!
