Windows 11 lets you customize Start by changing pinned apps, creating app folders, choosing how the All apps list is displayed, controlling recommendations, and adding shortcuts to personal folders. The exact controls depend on your Windows 11 build: Microsoft is delivering a redesigned Start experience gradually, so one PC may show All while another shows All apps, or may not include older layout options such as More pins.
Most settings are in Settings > Personalization > Start. You can also open Start, right-click an empty area near the bottom, and select Start settings.
Pin an app to the Start menu
Pin frequently used apps so they appear in Start instead of searching for them each time.
Pin an app from Search
- Open Start, or select the Search button on the taskbar.
- Type the app’s name.
- Right-click the app in the search results.
- Select Pin to Start.
To remove the shortcut later, open Start, right-click the pinned app, and choose Unpin from Start. Unpinning does not uninstall the app.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Compact Mouse: With a comfortable and contoured shape, this Logitech ambidextrous wireless mouse feels great in either right or left hand and is far superior to a touchpad
- Durable and Reliable: This USB wireless mouse features a line-by-line scroll wheel, up to 1 year of battery life (2) thanks to a smart sleep mode function, and comes with the included AA battery
- Universal Compatibility: Your Logitech mouse works with your Windows PC, Mac, or laptop, so no matter what type of computer you own today or buy tomorrow your mouse will be compatible
- Plug and Play Simplicity: Just plug in the tiny nano USB receiver and start working in seconds with a strong, reliable connection to your wireless computer mouse up to 33 feet / 10 m (5)
- Better than touchpad: Get more done by adding M185 to your laptop; according to a recent study, laptop users who chose this mouse over a touchpad were 50% more productive (3) and worked 30% faster (4)
Pin an app from All apps
- Open Start.
- Select All or All apps, depending on your Windows 11 build.
- Find the app, then right-click it.
- Select Pin to Start.
On the newer Start experience, the All section can offer Category, Grid, and List views. If you do not see a view selector, your build may still use a different app-list design.
Rearrange pinned apps
Open Start and drag a pinned app to a new position. Windows remembers the order. Put your most-used programs in the first row and less frequently used shortcuts farther down.
Touch navigation and drag-and-drop have had documented issues in specific Insider builds, including limitations when moving items from All to Pinned. Those reports concern the specified preview builds and do not mean the same problems affect every retail Windows 11 installation.
Create folders for pinned apps
Folders reduce clutter when you have several pinned applications.
- Open Start.
- Drag one pinned app directly on top of another.
- Windows creates a folder containing both apps.
- Open the folder and select the name area to rename it.
- Type a name such as Work, Media, or Utilities.
To add another app, drag its pinned icon into the folder. To remove one, open the folder and drag the icon out. When only one app remains, Windows removes the folder automatically.
Pin a folder from File Explorer
You can add a shortcut to a folder, such as Downloads or a project directory, directly to Start.
- Open File Explorer.
- Browse to the folder you want to add.
- Right-click the folder.
- Select Pin to Start.
This standard command applies to folders. Ordinary files do not generally offer the same Pin to Start command in File Explorer.
Pin a website to Start
Microsoft Edge can create a Start shortcut for a website.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Open the website in Microsoft Edge.
- Select Settings and more (the … button).
- Choose More tools.
- Select Pin to Start.
The command is provided by Edge. Other browsers may use a different shortcut method or may not expose a Start-menu pin command.
Rank #2
- The next-generation optical HERO sensor delivers incredible performance and up to 10x the power efficiency over previous generations, with 400 IPS precision and up to 12,000 DPI sensitivity
- Ultra-fast LIGHTSPEED wireless technology gives you a lag-free gaming experience, delivering incredible responsiveness and reliability with 1 ms report rate for competition-level performance
- G305 wireless mouse boasts an incredible 250 hours of continuous gameplay on just 1 AA battery; switch to Endurance mode via Logitech G HUB software and extend battery life up to 9 months
- Wireless does not have to mean heavy, G305 lightweight mouse provides high maneuverability coming in at only 3.4 oz thanks to efficient lightweight mechanical design and ultra-efficient battery usage
- The durable, compact design with built-in nano receiver storage makes G305 not just a great portable desktop mouse, but also a great laptop travel companion, use with a gaming laptop and play anywhere
Choose the All apps view
On the newer Windows 11 Start experience, you can change how installed applications are displayed.
- Open Start.
- Select All.
- Open the view selector.
- Choose Category, Grid, or List.
| View | Useful when |
|---|---|
| Category | You want apps grouped by type. |
| Grid | You prefer an icon-based layout. |
| List | You want a compact, vertically arranged app list. |
Windows remembers the view you last selected. The Category view is associated with Windows 11 version 24H2 and update KB5067036, so it is not available on earlier versions.
Control Start menu recommendations
Windows 11 can display recently added apps, frequently used apps, recently opened items, and other recommendations. To review the available controls, open Settings > Personalization > Start.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteDepending on your build, you may see options for:
- Show recently added apps
- Show most used apps
- Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer
- Recommendation providers for tips, shortcuts, new apps, websites, or recommended files
Turn off the categories you do not want. If you disable all available recommendation providers, the Recommended section can collapse instead of leaving a large empty area.
Important privacy limitation
The setting named Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer is broader than its Start-menu wording suggests. It also affects recent items in Jump Lists and File Explorer. Do not assume that disabling it hides only Start recommendations.
Microsoft has announced a separate control for disabling file recommendations in Start while leaving recent files elsewhere enabled as Insider work. Do not assume that control is available on every retail Windows 11 installation.
Add folder shortcuts beside the Power button
Windows can place shortcuts to common folders beside the Power button in the lower-right area of Start.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Personalization > Start.
- Select Folders.
- Turn on the folders you want to display.
Available choices can include:
- Documents
- Downloads
- Music
- Pictures
- Videos
- Network
- Your personal user folder
The available list can vary by Windows version and account configuration.
Move the Start button to the left
This changes the taskbar position of the Start button; it does not restore the Windows 10 Start layout or move the contents inside the Start menu.
Rank #3
- Compact Mouse: With a comfortable and contoured shape, this Logitech ambidextrous wireless mouse feels great in either right or left hand and is far superior to a touchpad
- Durable and Reliable: This USB wireless mouse features a line-by-line scroll wheel, up to 1 year of battery life (2) thanks to a smart sleep mode function, and comes with the included AA battery
- Universal Compatibility: Your Logitech mouse works with your Windows PC, Mac, or laptop, so no matter what type of computer you own today or buy tomorrow your mouse will be compatible
- Plug and Play Simplicity: Just plug in the tiny nano USB receiver and start working in seconds with a strong, reliable connection to your wireless computer mouse up to 33 feet / 10 m (5)
- Better than touchpad: Get more done by adding M185 to your laptop; according to a recent study, laptop users who chose this mouse over a touchpad were 50% more productive (3) and worked 30% faster (4)
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.
- Select Taskbar settings.
- Expand Taskbar behaviors.
- Set Taskbar alignment to Left.
The default alignment is Center.
Why “More pins” may be missing
Earlier Windows 11 builds included a Start layout choice named More pins, alongside Default and More recommendations. These options are not guaranteed to appear on current installations.
Newer Start experiences may use a scrollable layout with Pinned, All, and Recommended sections instead. Therefore, a missing More pins option does not necessarily indicate a damaged Windows installation.
What Windows 11 does not support natively
You cannot resize Start by dragging its borders
Windows 10 instructions that tell you to drag the Start menu’s edges or enable Use Start full screen do not apply to the current Windows 11 consumer Start menu. Windows 11 uses responsive sizing rather than a freely resizable Start window.
A separate Small/Large Start-size control was announced for Insider rollout, but it should not be assumed to exist on every retail build.
Live Tiles cannot be restored through Windows settings
Windows 11 uses the modern Pinned, All, and Recommended model. It does not natively restore the Windows 10 Live Tiles interface, tile resizing, or the Windows 10 full-screen Start arrangement.
Be cautious with registry tweaks
Many older registry guides refer to controls that belonged to earlier Start implementations. Registry changes are not a dependable way to expose options removed from the newer Start experience. For personal customization, use Settings > Personalization > Start. For company-managed computers, use Microsoft’s documented Start policy settings.
Recommended Free Tools
Configure Start for managed Windows 11 devices
Administrators can deploy a standard set of pinned apps using the JSON-based Configure Start Pins policy.
In Group Policy, the paths are Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Configure Start Pins and User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Configure Start Pins.
The corresponding policy CSP paths are ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Start/ConfigureStartPins and ./User/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Start/ConfigureStartPins.
Rank #4
- Computer mouse for easily navigating a computer interface; click, scroll, and more
- USB-A wired connection; if existing device only supports USB-C, an additional adapter will be required
- High-definition (1000 dpi) optical tracking ensures responsive cursor control for precise tracking and easy text selection
- 3 buttons offer effortless fingertip control
- Plug-and-go ready for instant use
Microsoft documents this GPO for Windows 11 version 24H2 with KB5062660 and later. It is not available in earlier Windows 11 versions.
Export a configured Start layout
On a reference computer, arrange the desired pins and run this command in Windows PowerShell: Export-StartLayout -Path "C:\Layouts\LayoutModification.json".
Use the deployment format documented for your Windows version. Do not automatically substitute older XML-only procedures for the current JSON pin policy.
A full policy-applied layout can prevent users from pinning, unpinning, or uninstalling apps from Start. It can also be reapplied at sign-in and overwrite user changes. On Windows 11 24H2 with KB5062660, administrators can configure the layout to apply only once, allowing users to customize Start afterward.
If the policy references an app that is not installed, Windows may show a blank pin. Microsoft says that the blank pin disappears at the next sign-in.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Fix a Start menu that does not open or keeps reverting
Check the Start process
The main Start process is StartMenuExperienceHost.exe. Open PowerShell and run Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost.
To check whether it is running for current users, run get-Process StartMenuExperienceHost -IncludeUserName.
For crashes, check the Application event log for Event IDs 1000 and 1001 involving StartMenuExperienceHost.exe.
Re-register Start for the affected user
If the package exists but is incorrectly registered, Microsoft documents this command: Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\AppxManifest.xml" -Register -DisableDevelopmentMode.
Best Value
- 【Plug and Play for Home/Office/School】The wireless computer mouse features 2.4GHz connectivity, delivering a stable, interference-free connection up to 32ft. Designed for 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, it ensures comfortable use all day. Simply plug in the USB-A receiver for instant pairing—no drivers needed. 📌📌 If the mouse isn’t suitable, place the USB receiver in the battery compartment and return both.
- 【3 Levels Adjustable DPI】This travel USB mouse offers 3 adjustable DPI settings (800, 1200, 1600), allowing you to customize sensitivity for precise design work. Effortlessly switch to match your task and elevate your productivity. 📌 Please remove the film at the bottom of the mouse before use.
- 【Effortless Browsing】Equipped with forward and backward buttons, this computer mice streamlines your workflow, making it easy to navigate through web pages and files with a simple click. 📌Side button does not work on Mac.
- 【Visible Indicator Light】 The pc mouse features a visual indicator for DPI levels and low battery alerts. The red light flashes once for 800 DPI, twice for 1200 DPI, and three times for 1600 DPI. When the battery level is below 10%, the light flashes red until the mouse is completely out of power.
- 【Click to Wake】With smart sleep mode, it saves power by standby after 10 inactive minutes, just 2-3 clicks to wake. This efficient design delivers 3x longer battery life than motion-wake mice. Engineered for durability, its buttons and scroll wheel are tested for 10 million clicks, ensuring long-term reliability and consistent performance.
Run it from a non-elevated PowerShell window. Running it as administrator can register the package for the administrator account instead of the user who has the problem.
If StartMenuExperienceHost is missing for every user, Microsoft does not support manually installing the Start AppX files. Use a known-good recovery option, reset the PC, or restore a backup instead.
Investigate pins that keep changing
If your pins or layout return to an earlier arrangement after sign-in, check whether the computer is managed by:
- Group Policy
- Mobile device management
- A provisioning package
- An organization-deployed Start layout
Policy results and Start-layout logs can reveal whether an administrator setting is overwriting your changes. On a personal PC, also check whether a work or school account has been added under Settings > Accounts.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Recommended Start setup
For a practical, low-clutter configuration:
- Pin only apps you use several times a week.
- Group related apps into folders such as Work, Creative, and Utilities.
- Use the List view if you install many applications and prefer scanning names.
- Enable Downloads and Documents beside the Power button if you open them frequently.
- Turn off recently added and most-used apps if you want a more consistent layout.
- Review the broader recent-items setting before disabling it for privacy.
FAQ
How do I open Start menu settings in Windows 11?
Go to Start > Settings > Personalization > Start. Alternatively, open Start, right-click an empty area near the bottom, and select Start settings.
How do I add an app to the Windows 11 Start menu?
Search for the app or open All or All apps, right-click the application, and select Pin to Start.
Can I create folders in the Windows 11 Start menu?
Yes. Drag one pinned app on top of another. Windows creates a folder automatically. Open the folder to rename it or add more pins.
Can I make the Windows 11 Start menu full screen?
Not through the current standard Windows 11 consumer settings. The Windows 10 Use Start full screen instruction does not apply to the current Windows 11 Start menu.
Why do I not have the More pins option?
Microsoft has changed Start across Windows 11 builds. Newer Start experiences may use a scrollable Pinned, All, and Recommended layout instead of the older More pins, Default, and More recommendations choices.
How do I move the Start button to the left?
Right-click the taskbar, choose Taskbar settings, expand Taskbar behaviors, and set Taskbar alignment to Left.
Can I restore Windows 10 Live Tiles in Windows 11?
No. Windows 11 does not natively restore the Windows 10 Live Tiles Start menu. It uses Pinned, All, and Recommended sections instead.
The Bottom Line
For most users, the useful Start controls are Pin to Start, drag-and-drop ordering, app folders, the All-apps view, recommendation settings, and folder shortcuts beside Power. If an option described in an older guide is missing, check your Windows 11 build before changing the registry: Microsoft is delivering different Start experiences, and several Windows 10 controls no longer exist in Windows 11.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
