Start menu Windows 10: How to activate it in Windows 11 as well

Instead of Windows 10X as the successor to the popular Windows 10 Pro microsoft has come up with something completely new: Windows 11 with new features and, above all, a completely revamped design. But it is precisely this that is already meeting with little approval from some users. Those who are used to the Windows 10 start menu will find the changeover to the Windows 10 successor difficult. But with a few tricks, you can work with the Windows 11 beta version as usual.

This is different from Windows 10 Pro

As early as the end of June 2021, users could download the test builds of Windows 11 via the Windows Insider Programme (the final version is expected to be available by the end of 2021). And anyone who has tried out Windows 11 Beta will quickly realise that many an element has been taken over from Windows 10X. Particularly striking is the start of the Operating system. Unlike the Windows 10 start menu, it floats slightly above the taskbar in the 11 version and can also be placed in the middle of the desktop. The live tiles, which had caused some annoyance, have disappeared. In their place, you will now find the pinned programmes in the upper area of the screen, and the most recently used ones just below them. The controls are also placed there – and everything has elegant rounded corners. Microsoft has retained the light and dark modes in the latest version – but without the conspicuous Windows logo. Another innovation is actually old hat – but a popular one! Because with Windows 11, the widgets return. The small snippets of information with the latest news, weather forecast or share prices are still familiar to users from Windows Vista. Tip: Computers running the current Windows 10 version can be updated to Windows 11 free of charge. The prerequisite for this, however, is that the hardware is suitably fit.

Requirements:

  • Dual-core CPU (1GHz) with 64-bit support
  • 4 GByte RAM
  • 64 GByte memory
  • UEFI firmware
  • Secure Boot with TPM 2.0
  • DirectX 12 compatible graphics card
  • Display with at least 720p resolution

If you prefer to return to the Windows 10 start menu: This is how to do it

Microsoft obviously shows understanding for the habits of its loyal fans. That’s why Windows 11 includes an option that allows users to return to their beloved Windows 10 start menu in the blink of an eye. However, the programmers have hidden this option a little. But searching is supposed to be fun, as they say.

These are the steps to return to the Windows 10 Start menu:

  1. First, right-click on an empty space on the Taskbar on the taskbar.
  2. Then "Taskbar settings activate.
  3. If not set automatically, now in the left-hand bar "Personalisation in the left-hand bar.
  4. Now in the window "Taskbar behaviours or "Taskbar behaviours".
  5. Select the word " left " with the function " Taskbar alignment". This puts the start button, the fold-out start menu and other icons back in the usual place.

Those who like them can also bring back the tiles

Windows 10 Pro has caused a huge amount of displeasure among some users. The reason for the anger were the tiles that housed the apps in the Windows 10 Start menu. Some, however, found this to be more elegant and clear than the old design. Windows 11 does without the „tiling“. However, those who love them can also activate the design with a few steps and a few clicks:

  • Open the registry editor with the search term "regedit".
  • Now enter the command "ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced" in the navigation bar.
  • Now select "Advanced" in the sidebar with a right mouse click.
  • A context menu appears in which "New - DWORD value (32-bit)" is selected.
  • This new DWORD value is named "Start_ShowClassicMode".
  • Double-click to open this new value, now enter a 1 under the password "Value" and save with "OK".
  • To return to the tile start menu, you now only have to restart the computer.

Header Image: © monticellllo, stock.adobe.com