Are you one of those who have been holding off on upgrading to Windows 11 simply because you despise the Start menu? Well, there might be a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
- Recent Windows 11 betas have hinted at a new “category” view for the Start menu. This view organizes your apps in a manner reminiscent of the classic Windows 10 Start menu. While it may not be entirely customizable, with options like creating your own category of “awesome stuff,” the apps will reportedly self-organize into categories such as “entertainment” and “music.”
- Twitter/X user @phantomofearth discovered this latest revision buried within Windows 11 Build 22635.4082 in the Beta Channel. This discovery suggests that these beta features may eventually become available on your PC.
-
However, the caveat is that, at present, the new category view is only accessible through special tools that enable hidden registry entries. Microsoft has yet to officially acknowledge this development, leaving its future uncertain. Nonetheless, this improvement addresses one of the common criticisms of the Windows 11 Start menu’s lack of flexibility in customization.
Additionally, the recent beta version has introduced media controls on the lock screen. This allows users without a Windows Hello camera to access controls without unlocking their PC. If you do possess a Windows Hello camera, it is likely to recognize you and unlock the PC automatically.
As Windows 11 edges closer to a broader release with Windows 11 24H2 expected this fall, the anticipation for the potential inclusion of the Categories feature in the Start menu grows.
In conclusion, while the Windows 11 Start menu may have faced criticism for its inflexibility, the introduction of a category view along with other improvements signals a positive step towards enhancing user experience. Stay tuned for further updates on these exciting developments in the world of Windows.
