Excerpt
How to Use the Start Menu
The Start menu has been given a big makeover for Windows 11, simplified in some ways and expanded in others. It will quickly become your go to way to access your device, as it is the main way to access your installed apps, software and games.
Get to Grips with the Start Menu
If you have used Windows before, the Start menu shouldn't hold too many surprises for you, but it is still a good idea to familiarise yourself with its features.
The completely redesigned Start menu is opened by clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar, or by pressing the Windows Key on your keyboard. It opens above the taskbar icons, floating in the middle of the screen. It will appear over the top of any open windows.
The Start menu is arranged into four main sections: Search, Pinned Apps, Recent or Recommended Files and Account/Power. Clicking in the Search field will switch to the dedicated Search panel, rather than letting you type your search term directly into the Start menu.
If the app you want to open is shown, click the icon to open it. If not, you can click the "All Apps" button to open the full, scrollable list of apps. You can change the apps that appear here by right-clicking on the icon and choosing "Unpin/Pin to Start" from the action menu.
In the app menu, apps are sorted alphabetically, except for a Pinned section at the top. By clicking the All apps links, you will open a complete list of yours will can be scrolled through alphabetically, to open any of them simply click on their icon.
The Recommended section shows files that have been recently opened, or that have been opened frequently. Click on any icon to open the file in whatever app/ program it is associated with. Click the "More" button to the right to open a larger list of files.
The bottom section contains a link to the Microsoft Account menu. Click this to change account settings, lock your computer or sign out of the current account. At the other end of the section is the power button. Click this and choose from the available power options.
It is also possible to display your most used apps and a selection of folders in the Start menu. To enable these features, open the main settings menu (you should see the icon for this in the pinned apps) and click on the Personalisation section. Then choose the Start option.
Use the sliders to enable or disable Start menu features you want or no longer want. To add folders to the Start menu, click the folders option in the Start settings and then use the slider switches to add any of the preset folders you want or need quick access to.
Open the Start menu again to see the newly added (or removed features). You may not initially notice any difference to the apps list if you have not yet used any apps repeatedly. The folders you added can be found next to the power button in the bottom section.
It is not possible to resize the Start menu, nor is it possible to change the style of it. You can change the overall colour mode (light, dark or custom), which will change the colour of the Start menu along with other main elements of the interface such as the taskbar.