In the Pinned section, you’ll see a list of apps that are designated to the Start menu.
But the Pinned section will, by default, only show you a list of mostly Microsoft apps.
Right-click any app in thePinnedsection and choose the Unpin from Start option.
Go to theAll Apps section, right-click any app you want to pin, and choose Pin to Start.
after you snag pinned everything you want, drag and drop to rearrange the apps however youd like.
Thankfully, Microsoft has made removing this bloatware easy.
Go to Pinned section and right-click any app that you want to uninstall.
ChooseUninstallfrom the context menu, and then clickUninstallagain from the popup.
Repeat this for all unwanted apps.
This section will show you recent files, new apps, and app suggestions.
But its not always on point.
Theres no way to remove this section entirely, but you could at least make it less prominent.
Go toSettings>Personalization>Startand disable Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists and File Explorer.
Its so lonely out there, though.
Go toSettings>Personalization>Start>Folders.
fire up the features or folders that you want to see.
(We recommend adding configs, File Explorer, Downloads, and Personal Folder.)
Put the Start menu back on the left
Its not just the Start menu design thats new.
Its the placement as well.
Go toSettings>Personalization>Taskbar>Taskbar Behaviors.
Here, from the Taskbar alignment option, switch to Left.
Right-hit the Start button, and youll get a list of options.
If you just cant make the Windows 11 Start menu work for you, its time to go back.
Install theStart11app (its free to use for 30 days, then costs $5.99).
This app will give you the familiar Windows 10-style start menu back.
Plus, you’re able to customize this as much as you want.
It’s a very simple, one-click utility that’s also immensely customizable.
you might use it to go back to a small and simple Start menu.
Clickhere for more detail on how to use ExplorerPatcher.
There are also themes available for Windows 7 and Windows 10-style start menus.
Ask yourself, how useful is it anyway?
For this, we recommend thePowerToys keyboard launcher.
