Windows 11 Start Menu Can Now Be Resized by Users in Testing

Microsoft is letting Windows 11 users test resizing the Start menu. This is a big change after years of users wanting more control over the layout.
By Newsroom | Technology, Software |

As of May 17, 2026, Microsoft has initiated a testing phase within the Windows Insider program that grants users control over the dimensions and layout of the Windows 11 Start menu. Following years of negative feedback regarding the "one-size-fits-all" design, the software developer is introducing manual resizing options—allowing for 'Small' or 'Large' configurations—alongside new section-level visibility controls.

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Core technical adjustments include the ability to hide the 'Recommended' feed and toggle between specific menu sections like 'Pinned' and 'All' applications. Additionally, users are gaining limited agency over taskbar positioning and icon alignment, moving away from the previously locked interface standards.

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Functional Scope of Changes

The current testing deployment allows for the following modifications to the desktop environment:

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FeatureControl Mechanism
Start Menu SizeToggle between 'Small' and 'Large' presets
Section VisibilityAbility to hide 'Recommended' or 'Pinned' areas
Taskbar PlacementRepositioning on top, bottom, left, or right edges
Icon AlignmentSwitch between centered or left-aligned configurations

These adjustments are currently restricted to the Experimental channel of the Windows Insider program. Access requires registration with a valid Microsoft account, and these features remain in a preview state rather than a stable production release.

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Background and Context

Since the release of Windows 11, the Start menu has served as a primary point of friction for many users. The design initially favored a fixed, immutable layout that often failed to scale correctly across diverse hardware, such as small-form-factor laptops versus high-resolution monitors.

Previous attempts to modify the environment included a 2025 effort to implement auto-scaling based on resolution, which failed to address the desire for user-driven manual customization. These new controls appear to be a direct response to a sustained period of criticism regarding the removal of the customization options that were historically present in earlier versions of the operating system. By reintroducing these controls, the firm is effectively walking back its earlier decision to enforce a strictly streamlined, rigid interface.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What new features can Windows 11 Insiders test for the Start menu and taskbar?
Insiders in the Experimental channel can now test resizing the Start menu to 'Small' or 'Large' and hide sections like 'Recommended'. They can also change taskbar alignment and icon position.
Q: Why is Microsoft testing these changes for Windows 11?
Microsoft is testing these changes to address years of negative feedback from users who disliked the fixed 'one-size-fits-all' design of the Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar.
Q: Who can access these new Windows 11 features right now?
These features are currently only available to users in the Windows Insider program's Experimental channel who are signed in with a Microsoft account.
Q: When will these Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar changes be available to everyone?
These features are still in the testing phase and are not yet part of a stable release, so there is no set date for a public rollout.
Q: What specific layout options can Windows 11 users change in the testing phase?
Users can change the Start menu size, hide the 'Recommended' feed, toggle app sections, and reposition the taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or right edges of the screen.