Microsoft is rolling out a comprehensive overhaul of Windows 11's Start menu through its latest Beta preview build, introducing a more customizable interface alongside enhanced mobile integration and accessibility improvements. The update represents one of the most significant changes to the Windows start experience since the operating system's initial release.
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| This interface showcases the keyboard layout settings in Windows 11, highlighting the operating system's customization features complementing the new Start menu design |
Revolutionary Start Menu Design
The redesigned Start menu features a three-tier layout that fundamentally changes how users interact with their applications. The top section displays user-pinned applications, while the middle area showcases recommended content, and the bottom portion introduces a new categorized application navigation system. This bottom section supports two distinct viewing modes: a category view that automatically groups applications by type and prioritizes frequently used programs like Outlook and Solitaire, and a grid view that arranges applications alphabetically in a traditional format.
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| The login screen exemplifies Windows 11's modern and user-friendly design, reflecting the new interactive elements in the Start menu's revamp |
Adaptive Interface for Different Devices
Microsoft has implemented intelligent scaling that adjusts the Start menu's size based on screen dimensions. Larger devices display eight columns of pinned applications, six recommended items, and four category columns, while smaller screens show a more compact layout with six pinned application columns, four recommendations, and three category columns. The interface remembers user preferences for viewing modes and allows dynamic expansion or contraction of recommended and pinned sections.
Streamlined Phone Integration
A notable addition is the enhanced Phone Link functionality, which now includes a dedicated panel attached to the Start menu's right side. This panel provides quick access to messages, calls, recent phone activity, and device status information including battery life. The most significant improvement allows users to initiate Android screen mirroring with a single click on their smartphone icon, eliminating the need to launch the full Phone Link application.
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| The lock screen settings illustrate the integration of mobile features in Windows 11, showcasing Microsoft's advancements in bridging desktop and mobile experiences |
Enhanced Accessibility Features
The update introduces a Screen Curtain feature for the Narrator accessibility tool, designed to enhance privacy protection. When activated using the Caps + Ctrl + C shortcut, this feature completely blacks out the screen while maintaining audio output through Narrator, ensuring information security in public or shared environments.
Gaming and Input Improvements
Microsoft has refined the GamePad touch keyboard with enhanced controller navigation capabilities and improved focus handling for sub-keys, pop-up menus, word suggestions, and language switching. A new gaming-optimized keyboard specifically designed for controller use supports PIN code entry on the Windows lock screen, complete with controller shortcuts for users who prefer not to use traditional keyboard shortcuts.
Rollout and Compatibility
The new features are currently available to Windows Insider Beta channel participants through build 26120.4250. The Phone Link screen mirroring functionality supports select Android devices including Samsung Galaxy models, Asus ROG phones, Honor, OnePlus, Oppo, Surface Duo, Vivo, and Xiaomi devices. Microsoft indicates that broader availability should commence throughout June 2025, though the rollout will be gradual as not all users have received the Phone Link panel integration yet.