6 tips to customize the Start Menu on Windows 11

Today, I will summarize tips to  customize the Start Menu on Windows 11  for your convenience. Let's discover together!

1. Rearrange app icons

You can change the order or rearrange the applications in the Pinned section   to your liking, just by following these small steps:

Step 1:  Open the Start program  .

Step 2:  Click and hold the icon then move it to the position you want. It's simple, right!

2. Remove or unpin apps

You can remove the apps you don't want to make room for other apps in the Pinned section   by unpinning them with the operations below.

Step 1:  Open the Start program  .

Step 2:  Right-click the unwanted application and select  Unpin from Start . The application will then disappear from the  Start Menu by itself .

3. Pin apps to Start Menu

If you want quick access to apps or folders, pin them to the Start Menu. Proceed as follows.

Step 1:  Open  Start  and select  All apps  at the top right

Step 2:  Right-click the application you want to pin to  Start  and select  Pin to Start.  So your application has been added to the Pinned section   of the  Start Menu .

Step 3:  Then you will see the 3D builder  app icon  on the menu.

4. Hide suggested files.

On the Start menu of Windows 11 there is a Recommended section  .  That section stores the most recently accessed apps or files. However, if you want to hide this section, follow these instructions.

Step 1:  Press the Windows + I key combination   to quickly open the Settings application  .

Step 2:  Select  Personalization.  Then select the Start item  .

Step 3:  In the Start section  ,  turn off the option  Show recently opened items from Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer.

5. Add shortcuts to the Start Menu

Windows 11 allows you to add shortcuts like File Explorer, Setting,. to the bottom left position of the Start Menu. To do this, please do the following.

Step 1:  Open  Settings  and select  Personalization.  Then select the Start item  .

Step 2:  Click on the Folder item   and turn on the shortcuts you want.

6. How to toggle the Transparency effect

You can enable or disable transparency effects for applications on Windows 11 in one of two ways.

Method 1:  Open  Settings > Personalization > Color > turn off Transparency effects.

Method 2:  Open  Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects > turn off Transparency effects.

Good luck. Hope the above tips will be helpful to you. 

Marvin Fry

Update 21 July 2021