New Start Menu (Out of Nowhere)


win9598xp7

Member
Local time
5:40 AM
Posts
72
OS
Windows 11
I just did a fresh install of Windows 11 a few days ago. Up until about an hour ago, I had the old start menu. But just now, it switched over to the new layout that was apparently rolled out in an update in December (the taller one that now groups things as categories like Productivity, Utilities & Tool, etc).

Why did this just now switch over? I did nothing different (except restarting my computer). Shouldn't that have pushed down with the first setup? I don't think there were any Windows Updates today (far as I know).

Seems weird. Wanting to make sure this doesn't point to some corruption in my original install.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Mine changed today too
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 11Intel i5-10600kf32gb corsair vengerance proAMD RX 6500XT
OS
windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Antec/Case
CPU
Intel i5-10600kf
Motherboard
GIGABYTE Z590 UD AC
Memory
32gb corsair vengerance pro
Graphics Card(s)
AMD RX 6500XT
Sound Card
onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
40" Hisense
Hard Drives
Samsung 850
Samsung 870
Seagate 2TB
PSU
EVGA GQ 750
Mine changed today too

Isn't that strange? For it to just "happen" like that? When I/we did nothing different?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
This is Microsoft’s phased feature update strategy. Instead of just turning it on for everyone it’s rolled out in stages. Feels kind of like we are glorified beta testers.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro10th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700, 2.90GHz32GB, 2x16GB, DDR4, 2933MhzNVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) RTX 2060 SUPER(TM) 8GB G...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 8940 XPS
    CPU
    10th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700, 2.90GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0KV3RP (U3E1)
    Memory
    32GB, 2x16GB, DDR4, 2933Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) RTX 2060 SUPER(TM) 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Onboard, Realtek Codec, NVIDIA Hi Def Audio, Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell UltraSharp U3415W
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD; 2TB Samsung SSD 860 EVO; 2TB Samsung SSD 860 EVO 2
    PSU
    500 W Dell
    Case
    Night Sky Bezel Chassis
    Cooling
    Dell
    Keyboard
    Logi Wireless
    Mouse
    Logi Wireless
    Internet Speed
    111 Mbps Download, 132 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel 13900K Core I9 24 Core LGA 170032GB (2x16) Kingston Fury Beast 6000MHZ DDR5nVidia 4090 Founders Edition
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Falcon Northwest Talon
    CPU
    Intel 13900K Core I9 24 Core LGA 1700
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Z970 Maximus Hero
    Memory
    32GB (2x16) Kingston Fury Beast 6000MHZ DDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia 4090 Founders Edition
    Sound Card
    Motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 34” Curved OLED
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    SSD M.2 Kingston Renegade Fury 4 TB x 2; Western Digital Red Pro 8 TB SATA III
    PSU
    1000W ECGA Platinum Modular ATX
    Case
    Falcon NW Custom
    Cooling
    AIO Falcon NW 280mm Liquid Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Pro Gamer
    Mouse
    Logitech G502
    Internet Speed
    111 Mbps Download, 132 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes
    Other Info
    Noise Blocker Fans
Mine changed today too. I also have the icon at the top next to the field to show and hide the banner for the mobile device.

I've had it for about two months already on a laptop.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 11
OS
windows 11
Mine hasn't changed yet.
But if anyone wants the new Start Menu, and/or the new Battery icon...


 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8875 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2AMD Ryzen 7 3700XG.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8875 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • At a glance

    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
Just to add "Me Too" to the new Start Menu when I started the PC this morning. It was not there yesterday. This has happened several hours before the Second Tuesday Updates are due to land.

Dave.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build 26200.8894AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core ProcessorCorsair Vengeance 32GB (2 X 16 GB, DDR 5)Sapphire Nitro AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, 16GB
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build 26200.8894
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Homemade in Feb 2025.
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core Processor
Motherboard
MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2 X 16 GB, DDR 5)
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire Nitro AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, 16GB
Sound Card
Realtek ALC 4080 on Motherboard
Monitor(s) Displays
LG E2442 on HDMI
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080, 60Hz
Hard Drives
Silicon Power XS70 2TB M2 2280, Western Digital 1TB HDD, Seagate 500 GB HDD, Crucial 250GB SSD.
PSU
Corsair RM850x
Case
Very old ATX
Cooling
be quite! PURE ROCK SLIM 2
Keyboard
Logitech K120 wired USB
Mouse
Logitech M570 wirless trackerball
Internet Speed
300 Mbps down and 70 Mbps up from a TP-Link Archer NX210 5G sim card router
Browser
Firefox 153.0
Antivirus
Just Windows Defender
This is Microsoft’s phased feature update strategy. Instead of just turning it on for everyone it’s rolled out in stages. Feels kind of like we are glorified beta testers.
Don't you just love it when Microsoft shoves unwanted things down your throat when you least expect it?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11I5Too much haha!NVidia 1060
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Cooler master
CPU
I5
Motherboard
Gigabyte
Memory
Too much haha!
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia 1060
You can go back to old start menu with vivetool.

vivetool /disable /id:47205210
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11I5Too much haha!NVidia 1060
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Cooler master
CPU
I5
Motherboard
Gigabyte
Memory
Too much haha!
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia 1060
When MS turns on the new start menu are the registry changes the same keys that Vivetool uses?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 25H212th Gen i9 -12900K64GBIntel UHD Graphics
OS
Windows 11 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell
CPU
12th Gen i9 -12900K
Memory
64GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel UHD Graphics
Monitor(s) Displays
Dual Dell U2717D
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
2TB Lexar SSD, 2TB Crucial SSD, 2TB Kingston SSD
Please Mr. Microsoft may I have the new start menu(and possibly the MPO fix for chromium-based apps please)
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H25800X3D64gb DDR4 3600mhzRTX 3080
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5800X3D
    Motherboard
    Asus B550-F Strix
    Memory
    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3080
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
  • At a glance

    Linux Minti5-4670K OC @ 4.2ghz16gb DDR3MSI GTX 1080
    Operating System
    Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-4670K OC @ 4.2ghz
    Memory
    16gb DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 1080
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1920x1080 VA panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    1x SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 air cooler
    Other Info
    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.
Mine changed today too

Mine too, when I started the computer this morning to get the Patch Tuesday update, it was there. (Before the Update)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H212th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1255U (1.70 GHz16.0 GBIntel iRIS Xe
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP 15s-fq5xxx
CPU
12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1255U (1.70 GHz
Memory
16.0 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel iRIS Xe
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD 512 GB
Mouse
Logitech Pebble
Internet Speed
500/50 Mb/sec
Browser
Chrome
Antivirus
Defender
i have had the new start menu for several weeks and prefer this new menu to the old one
its set with 24 pinned items and the rest of the menu is in grid view.

my wife's system got the new start menu with the Tuesday update
and i have set that system menu up the same, pinned items and grid view.

best of luck Steve ..
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeRyzen 7 5825u64GB DDR4 3200Ryzen 7 5825u
    OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 24" AiO
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5825u
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    64GB DDR4 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Ryzen 7 5825u
    Sound Card
    RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HP AiO
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB WD Blue SN580 M2 SSD Partitioned.
    2x 1TB USB HDD External Backup/Storage.
    PSU
    90W external power brick
    Case
    24" All in One
    Cooling
    Default Air Cooling
    Keyboard
    HP WiFi UK extended
    Mouse
    HP WiFi 3 Button
    Internet Speed
    1GB full fibre
    Browser
    Edge & Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security/Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Mainly Open Source Software
  • At a glance

    Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTSi5 7200u16GB DDR4Intel
    Operating System
    Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 13" Latitude 2017
    CPU
    i5 7200u
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel
    Sound Card
    Intel
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13" Dell Laptop
    Hard Drives
    250GB Crucial 2.5" SSD
    Mouse
    Generic WiFi 3 button
    Internet Speed
    WiFi only
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ClamAV TK
    Other Info
    Mainly Open Source Software
Please Mr. Microsoft may I have the new start menu(and possibly the MPO fix for chromium-based apps please)
Those are actually the first letters of my first name! What an honor!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11I5Too much haha!NVidia 1060
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Cooler master
CPU
I5
Motherboard
Gigabyte
Memory
Too much haha!
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia 1060
February 19th 2026 and still no new start menu for me :eek1:
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3DCORSAIR Vengeance RGB DDR5 2x32GB 6000MHzASUS Dual GeForce RTX™ 4070 Ti SUPER
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom-built
CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Motherboard
B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI
Memory
CORSAIR Vengeance RGB DDR5 2x32GB 6000MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX™ 4070 Ti SUPER
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS ROG Swift OLED -
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160 | 32' | 240Hz
Hard Drives
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
PSU
Corsair rm 850W ATX modular
Case
Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower ATX
Cooling
Corsair iCUE LINK Titan RX RGB 360mm AIO
Keyboard
Corsair K70 CORE
Mouse
G309 LIGHTSPEED
Internet Speed
1Gps up/down
Is there a way to change this back? I've been looking in the settings, and I don't see any way to change this. I don't like it and I want to change it back.

Thanks
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
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