My Start Menu

How to Fully Customize My Start Menu in Windows You can fully transform your Windows Start Menu from a cluttered default screen into a streamlined command center by adjusting built-in personalization options, organizing your apps into custom folders, and modifying system colors. Taking control of this central hub directly removes unnecessary recommendations and adds instant shortcuts to your most critical local files. 🛠️ Access the Built-In Customization Menu

Every core change to the layout begins inside your native system settings.

Open Settings: Press the Windows Key + I keyboard shortcut to load the system menu instantly.

Navigate to Personalization: Select the Personalization tab from the left sidebar panel.

Open Start Settings: Click on the Start sub-menu to view your native layout toggles. 📂 Declutter Your Layout and Toggles

The default layout often allocates significant space to broad recommendations. You can reclaim this screen space by adjusting these specific toggles inside Settings > Personalization > Start:

More Pins Layout: Choose the More pins grid layout at the top of the page to maximize the number of applications you can see at once without scrolling.

Turn Off Recommendations: Toggle off Show recently added apps, Show most used apps, and Show recently opened items to clear out algorithmic clutter.

Clean the Grid: Right-click any factory-preset application you do not use on your main view and select Unpin from Start. 🗂️ Organize Apps with Folders and Pins

Grouping your software ensures you never waste time scrolling through the massive “All Apps” list.

Pin New Software: Open your All Apps list, right-click any vital program (like your browser or editor), and select Pin to Start.

Create Folders: Drag one pinned application icon directly on top of another icon to create a folder instantly.

Name Your Folders: Click on the newly created folder to expand it, select the text field at the top, and type a clean category name (e.g., “Work,” “Gaming”).

Rearrange Order: Left-click and hold any icon or folder, then drag it to the top row for faster muscle-memory access. 🔗 Add Custom System Folders to the Bottom Bar

You can add direct shortcut icons right next to your physical Power button for lightning-fast local navigation. Windows Start Menu Tips and Tricks