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Windows 11 Start Menu Personalisation

Muir 20 Reputation points
2026-03-06T10:16:12.25+00:00

Hi there,

I have an issue with my windows 11 Start menu (I know a lot of people have been talking about categories section recently) my issue is in regards to its personalisation.

If I right click in my start menu > Start Settings, this takes me into Settings > Personalisation > Start.

My issue is last night, above the recommended section I had the ability to switch between More pins, Default and More recommendations. I had selected more pins, but after booting up pc today the setting seems to have reverted and that menu that was above recommended in Personalisation > start has disappeared.

The Menu I am talking about - https://youtu.be/2CyPK3CwzKc?si=OlXpVEr11qKNhGBi&t=51

Is this a bug or has there been a background update I am unaware of that has made this setting unavailable?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Start Menu
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Answer accepted by question author

DaveM121 883.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-03-06T10:54:11.17+00:00

If the settings you mention are now missing from the Start Menu personalization settings, that indicates you have received the new Windows 11 start menu, and it is not as configurable as the previous version of the Start Menu.

Do you now have the Category section as shown below on your Start Menu, if so, that is the new Start Menu and currently there is not method available to change that new menu back to the previous version or to adjust the Pins or Recommended section and the registry edits that previously worked, no longer work on the new Start Menu.

2026-03-06_105213

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  1. Eian 0 Reputation points
    2026-05-31T18:37:33.3833333+00:00

    I created this tool until Microsoft releases more customization options for the new Start Menu.
    It safely toggles the “All Apps / All Programs” section using a Windows policy key - no third‑party tools, no installers.
    Includes an optional Start Menu shortcut for instant switching.

    GitHub: Windows 11 Start Menu All Apps Toggle

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  2. AI answer

    2026-03-06T10:16:25.9533333+00:00

    The layout choice between More pins / Default / More recommendations in Start is controlled by a registry setting. If that UI toggle disappeared and the layout reverted, the underlying value was likely reset by an update, a policy, or another configuration tool.

    The layout mode is stored here:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

    Value:

    • Start_Layout (REG_DWORD)
      • 0 = Default
      • 1 = More Pins
      • 2 = More Recommendations

    To restore “More pins” behavior:

    1. Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
    2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    3. Locate Start_Layout.
      • If it does not exist, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named Start_Layout.
    4. Set its value to:
      • 1 (hex or decimal) for More Pins.
    5. Sign out and sign back in, or restart Explorer / the PC.

    If the setting keeps reverting or the UI toggle remains missing, check whether:

    • A Start layout policy is being applied (for example via Group Policy or MDM/Intune) using a JSON layout. When such a policy is active, it can override user Start layout behavior and reapply a configured layout at each sign-in.
    • A provisioning package or management policy is configuring Start via the Start Policy CSP.

    For unmanaged home systems, the most common fix is simply setting Start_Layout back to the desired value and rebooting. If the value changes again after a reboot, that indicates some policy or tool is reconfiguring Start.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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