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My Start Menu isn't showing Categories even though I'm on Windows 11 25H2. How can I get them to appear in the Start Menu?
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(118.4, 43%, 21%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EJK%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
How do you disable it in 25H2? I don't want it and it just looks ugly, same as the recommended portion that just never truly goes away.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(204.8, 25%, 29%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ESS%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The new Category View finally appeared on my start menu! Although, I would like to point out that this change didn't happen until I get the Security Update (KB5074109) (26200.7623).
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(80, 68%, 17%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ER%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Any idea how to disable this feature? I had only pinned apps on my start menu but after update this 'category' thing appeared and it looks very ugly. I looked in menu start settings but couldnt find anything.
Answer accepted by question author
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(182.40000000000003, 36%, 27%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EPG%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hi,
This feature is being rolled out gradually, so not all users will get it immediately even after updating to version 25H2. I also haven’t received the redesigned Start menu yet, so you’re not alone. But if you want to force enable it, you can check this. Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft site. The information seems reliable, but be careful with ads. Research any product before downloading.
Thanks, I thought this feature was already available on Windows 11 25H2.
I don't want to use the third party tool. I hope I get the new start menu by the end of the year. I have the same build no. as the OP.
I do not like this change and the lack of customization options. I prefer to have a longer list of recently used files and icons for a bunch of apps I don't use regularly or at all. If this is a replacement for not being able to view a list of apps easily on the M365 home page anymore cuz Copliot has taken it over, this isn't a useful alternative.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(92.8, 23%, 18%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ESS%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Categories won’t appear automatically; but could be enabled through Start Menu customization or policy configuration.
Categories only appear when there are ≥3 apps in a category, you can try installing a few apps of the same type-like, Edge, Chrome etc
There are third part tools available which are not officially supported by Microsoft and I can't comment on them either.
Settings → Windows Update
Enable “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available”
Click Check for updates and install any pending ones
