Microsoft began rolling out a redesigned Windows 11 Start menu with the optional, non-security preview update KB5067036 on October 28, 2025. The update applies to Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, but Microsoft phased in the feature, so installing the update—or checking Windows Update—did not guarantee that the new menu would appear immediately.
What changed in the Start menu
Microsoft described the redesign as “built to help you access your apps more quickly and smoothly.” That is the company’s stated goal, not a measured performance claim. The main practical change is that app browsing moves into the Start menu’s main page rather than a separate All apps page.
All apps now scrolls on the main page
The redesigned menu adds a scrollable All apps section to the main Start page. You can browse installed apps there without first switching to a separate page.
Choose a way to browse apps
The All section offers three presentations. The menu remembers the last view you selected.
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| View | How it presents apps |
|---|---|
| List | Displays apps in a list. |
| Category | Groups apps into categories and can surface frequently used apps within those groups. |
| Grid | Displays an alphabetical grid of apps. |
The layout adapts to the display
The menu adjusts its layout to screen size and available content. Microsoft’s early Insider notes described larger screens showing more pinned apps, recommendations, and categories; those were preview examples, not a promise of fixed counts on every device.
Sections and connected phones
Sections such as Pinned and Recommended can be expanded, collapsed, or customized, and users can hide sections they do not want. The redesign also adds a mobile-device button beside Search to expand or collapse Phone Link content for a connected phone. Microsoft said Android and iOS support was generally available in most markets, but availability was not identical everywhere; the company’s Insider announcement said EEA availability was planned for later in 2025.
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How to check for the update
KB5067036 is an optional non-security preview update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Microsoft lists Windows Update and optional updates as installation paths. To check from Windows Settings:
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available if you want to receive eligible updates sooner.
- Select Check for updates and install any available update that applies to your device.
Microsoft says a gradual rollout makes availability vary by device. Enabling the setting or checking for updates does not force the Start menu onto every PC at once. Microsoft may also apply a safeguard hold when an application or driver compatibility concern could affect a device. See Microsoft’s KB5067036 release notes and its guidance on getting the Windows 11 2025 Update for rollout and update details.
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Why the new menu may not appear yet
- The rollout is phased. Eligible devices may receive the feature at different times, even if they are on a supported Windows version.
- A compatibility hold may apply. Microsoft can delay an update offer for devices with a potential application or driver incompatibility.
- The update and the visible feature are not the same guarantee. Having installed an update does not mean every phased feature will be available on that device immediately.
Repeatedly checking Windows Update or manually downloading an update package cannot guarantee an immediate rollout. If the feature is not available, wait for it to be offered to your device rather than assuming the PC is broken.
Later Start menu changes are separate
Microsoft documented additional Start settings in the September 22, 2026 preview notes for KB5124006. These are later changes, not part of the October 2025 redesign’s initial announcement.
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| Later control | What Microsoft documented |
|---|---|
| Menu size | Choose small, large, or automatic. |
| Recommended label | Renamed to Recent. |
| Profile details | Option to hide the user’s name and profile picture. |
| Section visibility | Redesigned Start settings page with independent section toggles. |
These settings are described in Microsoft’s KB5124006 preview notes. Their presence on a particular PC depends on receiving the applicable later update.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Does installing KB5067036 guarantee the redesigned Start menu will appear?
No. Microsoft phased in the feature, so it could arrive at different times on different devices.
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Which Windows 11 versions was the October 2025 rollout for?
Microsoft identified Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 for KB5067036.
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