The big picture: Many people continue to complain about the Start menu in Windows 11. While Microsoft has rolled out several updates, they arguably still don't match the beloved Windows 10 version – at least, in terms of flexibility. However, thanks to third-party tweaks, there's now a working solution that could offer the best of both worlds.
The hero here is Windhawk, a veritable treasure trove of Windows 11 mods created by an active community of tinkerers. One standout tweak allows you to enjoy a new, significantly more usable Start menu layout. It combines pinned apps front and center with the full apps list alongside, eliminating extra clicks needed to find a program buried in the list.
Getting this upgraded Start menu up and running is easy. Once downloaded and installed, navigate to the 'Windows 11 Start Menu Styler' mod, install it, and simply paste in the code for whichever custom layout you prefer from the included presets. Within seconds, your new Start experience will be ready to rock.
However, the customization potential doesn't stop there. This mod allows tinkerers to adjust practically every aspect of the Start menu through various settings and parameters. For example, the entire menu can be made much more transparent. Additionally, you can even remove the Recommended section entirely, leaving only your pinned apps visible.
Now, a quick disclaimer: this is a third-party mod we're talking about, so the usual security caveats apply. However, Windhawk has a strong community presence and open-source code, so it should be relatively safe.
Windhawk is also able to tweak app behaviors and overhaul entire elements, such as the taskbar and desktop.
It's worth noting that installing Windhawk provides a hub to browse and add the mods you want. Each mod displays screenshots and the actual code for preview. The transparency extends further, allowing you to fork existing mods and distribute your own custom versions if you have the know-how.
