Pin or unpin apps by right-clicking them in the Start Menu; 2. Show or hide recently added apps via Settings > Personalization > Start; 3. Control app suggestions and frequent apps by toggling options in Start settings; 4. Reorder pinned apps by dragging them; 5. Use desktop or Programs folder shortcuts as a workaround for folders; 6. Reset the Start Menu layout using PowerShell or Apps settings; 7. Optionally, use third-party tools like StartAllBack or ExplorerPatcher for advanced customization, all to create a more personalized and efficient workflow within Windows 11’s design limitations.

Customizing the Windows 11 Start Menu lets you personalize your workflow and make frequently used apps more accessible. While Microsoft has simplified the Start Menu compared to older Windows versions, there are still several ways to tailor it to your preferences. Here’s how:

1. Pin and Unpin Apps

The most basic customization is managing which apps appear on the Start Menu.

• To pin an app:

  
  • Open Start.
  • Scroll through the app list or search for the app you want.
  • Right-click the app and select Pin to Start.

• To unpin an app:

  • Open Start.
  • Right-click any app tile on the Start Menu.
  • Choose Unpin from Start.

Note: Unlike Windows 10, Windows 11 doesn’t support resizing tiles or creating folders directly on the Start Menu.

2. Show or Hide Recently Added Apps

You can control whether the Start Menu shows a list of recently installed apps.

• Go to Settings > Personalization > Start.
• Toggle Show recently added apps on or off.

This helps keep the Start Menu clean if you frequently install and test apps.

3. Control App Suggestions and Frequent Apps

Windows 11 suggests apps and shows frequently used ones under "Recommended." You can disable these if you prefer a minimal view.

In Settings > Personalization > Start, you can:

• Turn off Show recommendations.
• Disable Show most used apps.

This removes the Recommended section entirely.

4. Reorder Pinned Apps (Limited)

You can slightly rearrange pinned apps:

• Open Start.
• Click and drag a pinned app to reposition it among other pinned apps.

Note: You can’t move apps into folders or group them visually like in Windows 10.

5. Use Folders and Shortcuts (Advanced Workaround)

Since Windows 11 doesn’t support folders on the Start Menu, you can create a folder on your desktop or in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs, then pin that folder to Start.

• Create a folder (e.g., "Productivity Tools") and add shortcuts to your preferred apps.
• Right-click the folder > Pin to Start.
• It will appear as a folder shortcut in the Start Menu’s Recommended section.

Clicking it opens File Explorer with your grouped apps.

6. Reset or Restore Default Layout

If things get messy, you can reset the Start Menu:

• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features).
• Find Start Menu Experience Host (or search for it in PowerShell).
• Alternatively, use PowerShell:

  Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

  This rebuilds the Start Menu and taskbar.

7. Third-Party Tools (Optional)

If you want more control, consider tools like:

• StartAllBack – Restores a Windows 10-style Start Menu with full customization.
• ExplorerPatcher – Brings back classic elements, including a customizable Start.

Use third-party tools with caution and only download from official sources.

Customizing the Windows 11 Start Menu is limited out of the box, but combining built-in settings with smart folder use or trusted tools can give you a cleaner, more efficient layout. Basically, work within Microsoft’s design—or bring your own.

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