Windows 11 Start Menu
The next thing everyone will notice about Windows 11 is how the Start Menu has changed to provide a different approach to the type of information presented there. Because of this new approach, it will be necessary to reconfigure the items visible on your Start Menu as outlined below.
By default, the start menu now has two sections "Pinned" and "Recommendations." While "Pinned" is generally self-explanatory and contains only items you directly put there, recommendations takes a look at items you use frequently and/or recently and places them there for you. This might be useful if a user works with the same folders and documents on a regular basis. Both of these sections have the ability to click expandable options to either show all of your apps or significantly more recommended items.
As in Windows 10, it's fairly easy to pin items to the start menu by simply right clicking on the application and selecting "Pin to Start". This can be done by going into the "All apps" expandable section near the top right of the start menu.
Unfortunately, for those who prefer the Windows 10 Start Menu, there is no combination of options to allow that to be recreated. Because most used the start menu as a place where they "know where everything is", I've provided the settings below to minimize the tendency for the start menu to look a little bit different every time it gets used.
Open the start menu either using the Windows key on the keyboard or by clicking on it. What you'll see is the default settings version of the start menu as mentioned previously and shown below.
Right-clicking anywhere in the open space of the start menu will provide you with the option to change the "Start Settings".
Click "Start settings" and you'll be presented with a page in the "Settings" app "Personalization > Start". This is where we'll make the changes we want.
Under the "Layout" section there will be different graphical representations of the start menu under different biases towards pins versus recommendations as well as a few options about what Windows will place in the start menu areas. I've included settings for what would be the most static version of the start menu with the requirement that users manually pin the apps, folders, or documents they need. Again, you may choose to keep any of these selections on to use or try out.
Below these options there's also a tab called "Folders" and a description. This may also be a useful tool to provide shortcuts to a very specific set of folders. Clicking on the arrow at the right end of the tab, you can select to have these appear next to the power button on the start menu near the bottom right. Below is an image of the "Folders" selection menu with the three most potentially useful selections shown.
And below is where they will show up.
Once you've made you desired changes, the start menu should perhaps feel a little more roomy and provide you with enough space to pin several apps, folders, and documents. If you've made all the selections above your start menu will look similar to the example below.
