Hi Bruce
I am Dave, I will help you with this.
Currently there is no method to set the Start menu to 'All Apps' by default, the Start Menu in Windows 11 s vey limited when compared to the Start Menu in Windows 10, I have not seen an indication on the Insider builds of any extra functionality being added to it yet.
In the meantime, please open the feedback hub (Windows Key + F) and provide your feedback on the lack of functionality on the taskbar in Windows 11 to the developers there.