Microsoft Overhauls Windows 11 Start Menu with Customization and Speed Boost

11 articles · Updated · Windows Central · Apr 17

Microsoft is rebuilding the Windows 11 Start menu to improve customization and performance.
The update will let users manually select menu size and toggle off sections like Recommended or All Apps, with settings accessible in Windows Settings.
Aimed at addressing user complaints, the new Start menu will also be more responsive under heavy system load, as part of Microsoft's Windows K2 project.

Beyond the Start menu, how will 'Project K2' change the core frustrations of using Windows 11 day-to-day?

Is Microsoft's Start menu overhaul a genuine fix or a temporary retreat from unpopular features like ads?

Will the new Start menu truly prioritize user choice, or will it find new ways to integrate AI and ads?

After a year of buggy updates, can this quality-focused initiative actually restore user trust in the Windows platform?

With its move to native WinUI 3, is Microsoft signaling the end of web components in the Windows shell?

Is removing the 'Recommended' feed a step forward for usability or a step back from cloud integration?