Microsoft Tests New Start Menu Interface on Windows 11, Inspired by iOS

Microsoft is still experimenting with various layouts for the Start Menu, even making it resemble Apple's mobile iOS operating system.

Windows 11 has been out for nearly three years, yet Microsoft continues to add new features, with the Start Menu being one of the most frequently modified components. After all these years, it seems Microsoft has yet to settle on a final design for the Start Menu in Windows 11. The company is still testing various layouts, even incorporating elements reminiscent of Apple's iOS.

A recent change involves a new layout for the "All Apps" section of the Start Menu, featuring a category-based view. Instead of listing installed apps alphabetically, Microsoft is testing an iOS/iPadOS-style system that automatically groups apps into categories such as Work, Photos & Videos, Entertainment, etc.

Screenshots shared reveal a grid interface with square tiles, each representing a different category. Each category displays up to four apps, with an option to expand and show more.

This experiment first appeared in a July build, but at that time, each category showed color blocks instead of specific apps. Although the display is now clearer, the functionality still seems to be lacking, according to Windows Latest.

This change might be a welcome improvement compared to the current default "All Apps" layout, which has too much wasted space. It's still unclear when Microsoft will officially release the new layout, but it seems likely that Windows will offer users a choice between the old and new options.

Constantly tweaking the Start Menu is nothing new for Windows. Microsoft has been making changes to this core navigation component since Windows 8 introduced a grid-style Start Screen. Windows 11 returned to a more traditional Start Menu, but the company continues to experiment with changes to this element.