Microsoft lets insiders choose their Windows 11 start menu size

At a glance:

• Insiders can switch the Windows 11 Start menu between a Small and a Large layout
• New section‑level toggles let users show or hide Pinned, Recommended and All items, plus a separate file‑recommendations switch
• The taskbar can be moved to any screen edge with selectable icon alignment (left, centered, or top‑aligned)

What the changes are

Microsoft is rolling out a set of Start menu customisation options to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel as of today. Users will now see a simple size selector in the Start menu settings, offering a Small version that trims down the menu’s footprint and a Large version that retains the current layout. The choice is persisted across multiple displays, so a dual‑monitor setup will keep the same size on each screen.

In addition to size control, the Insider build introduces section‑level toggles for the three default groups that populate the menu: Pinned, Recommended, and All. Turning off Recommended and All leaves only the apps you have explicitly pinned, creating a minimalist view. These toggles will be phased in over the next few weeks. A dedicated switch for file recommendations also appears, allowing users to silence file suggestions in the Start menu without affecting other parts of Windows.

Privacy‑focused tweaks accompany the visual changes. Insiders can now hide their name and profile picture from the Start menu, a useful option for screen‑sharing or streaming scenarios where personal information might otherwise be exposed.

How it affects the taskbar

The same Insider update expands taskbar flexibility. The bar can be anchored to any edge of the screen – top, bottom, left, or right – breaking away from the traditional bottom‑only placement. When docked on the left or right, icons can be aligned top‑aligned or centered; on the top or bottom edges, the alignment choices are left‑aligned or centered. This granular control lets power users tailor their workspace to ergonomic or aesthetic preferences.

Rollout and participation details

The features are being delivered to members of the Windows Insider Program who have opted into the Experimental channel. To join, users must register with a Microsoft account and accept the Insider terms. Once enrolled, they receive the latest Windows builds, can test experimental features, and provide feedback directly to Microsoft before the changes are considered for a broader release.

Microsoft acknowledged earlier feedback that the Start menu had grown almost twice as large after a November update to Windows 11. The company confirmed it is aware of the issue and is using Insider input to fine‑tune the new size options and related controls.

The rollout will continue throughout the coming week, with the section toggles and file‑recommendation switch arriving in subsequent updates. Microsoft expects the broader public release to depend on the volume and nature of Insider feedback, following its typical iterative approach to Windows feature development.