Customizing Your Start Menu in Windows-11: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
The Start Menu is a central component of the Windows operating system that allows users to access applications, documents, settings, and more. With Windows-11, Microsoft has introduced a new design for the Start Menu that offers customization options to make it suit your personal preferences. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through various methods to customize your Start Menu in Windows-11.
Step 1: Accessing the Settings
To begin customizing your Start Menu in Windows-11, you need to access the Settings menu. You can do this by clicking on the "Start" button located at the bottom left corner of your screen or by pressing the "Windows key" on your keyboard. From there, click on the "Settings" icon (shaped like a gear) from the pop-up menu.
Step 2: Navigating to Personalization Options
Once you are in the Settings menu, locate and select "Personalization" from the left-hand sidebar. This will open up various customization options for personalizing your Windows experience.
Step 3: Customizing Layout and Appearance
Within Personalization settings, click on "Start" from the left-hand sidebar. Here you will find several options to customize how your Start Menu looks and functions.
a) Choose a Layout:
Underneath "Start", select either "Centered", which centers icons and apps within panels or folders for a more organized look; or choose "Left-aligned", which aligns items along with icons towards one side of your screen.
b) Adjust Transparency:
Use toggles such as “Make start taskbar transparent” and “Make app tiles transparent” to toggle transparency effects for different sections of your Start Menu.
c) Change Accent Colors:
Clicking on “Colors” lets you customize accent colors used throughout Windows interface including tiles within start menu by selecting a color or enabling "Automatically pick an accent color from my background" to match your wallpaper.
Step 4: Rearranging and Resizing Tiles
Windows-11 offers flexibility in rearranging and resizing tiles within the Start Menu.
a) To move a tile, simply click and hold it, then drag it to the desired position. You can also drag it to other groups or folders for better organization.
b) For resizing tiles, hover over the tile you want to resize until you see a double-arrow cursor. Click and drag this arrow horizontally or vertically to adjust the size according to your preference.
Step 5: Adding or Removing App Tiles
Customize which apps appear as tiles in your Start Menu for easy access.
a) To add an app as a tile, open the "Start" menu by clicking on the "Start" button or pressing the Windows key. Locate the app you want to add, right-click on it, and select "Pin to Start". The app will appear as a tile in your Start Menu.
b) To remove an app tile from your Start Menu, right-click on it and select "Unpin from Start".
Step 6: Organizing Apps into Folders
If you have multiple apps installed but want a more organized start menu layout, creating folders is a useful option:
a) Drag one app icon onto another within your Start Menu. This action creates a folder with both apps inside.
b) To rename a folder after creating it, right-click on its title bar and select “Rename”.
Step 7: Showing Recently Added & Most Used Apps
In Windows-11's Personalization settings under “Start”, toggle options like “Show recently added apps” or “Show most used apps” based on whether you wish those categories displayed prominently within Start Menu for quicker access.
Step 8: Searching Within Your PC using Search Box
The search box located at the top of the Start Menu allows you to search for files, apps, settings, and more. Simply type in your query, and Windows will display relevant results.
Step 9: Resetting Start Menu to Default
If you wish to revert your Start Menu customizations back to their default settings:
a) Open "Settings" using the "Start" menu or by pressing Windows key + I.
b) Navigate to "Personalization" > "Start".
c) Scroll down and click on “Reset” under “Reset layout”, then confirm when prompted.
By following these steps, you can customize and personalize your Start Menu in Windows-11 according to your preferences. Enjoy a customized user experience tailored specifically for you!