Microsoft toys with new Windows 11 Start menu layout inspired by the iOS App Library
The “All Apps” menu in Start may soon get a couple of new layout options.
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What you need to know
Microsoft looks to be working on a new layout for the all apps list in the Start menu onWindows 11that takes some inspiration from theApp Library found on iOSand iPadOS. On those platforms, the “all apps” list is automatically categorized and grouped by app type, rather than in a traditional alphabetical list.
This kind of layout looks to be exactly what Microsoft is toying with on Windows 11, as the latest preview builds include early work for such a view, firstspotted by phantomofearth on X. While not yet functional, we can see the layout will consist of different categories of apps, along with a preview of four app icons to represent each grouping.
Based on the findings so far, the Start menu will categorize apps into the following groups:
It seems Microsoft is working on multiple new layouts for all apps list in the Start menu on Windows 11. There’s also analphabetized grid view that doesn’t group appsinto categories, which appears to be in a much more functional state. This layout is more similar to the app drawer found on Android.
The Start menu will present a drop-down menu in the apps list letting you switch between each layout on the fly. You can choose between the categorized grid view, the alphabetized grid view, and the traditional all apps list if you prefer.
Microsoft is yet to officially announce these new layouts for the Start menu apps list, so they could still change or be canceled, but it is interesting to see Microsoft thinking about how it can improve or change the Start menu experience. The Start menu on Windows has remained much the same over the last decade, so it’s good to see some potential improvements in the works.
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Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads
