How to Customize the Start Menu in Windows 10
Getting Started
The Start menu in Windows 10 is a great way to quickly access your favorite apps, files, and settings. However, the default design may not be to everyone’s taste. With some simple tweaks, you can customize the Start menu to fit your needs and preferences.
Changing the Layout
One of the first things you can do is change the layout of the Start menu. By default, the menu is divided into three sections: Pinned, Recent, and Frequent. Pinned shows the apps you have pinned to the Start menu, Recent shows the apps you have recently used, and Frequent shows the apps you use most frequently.
But you can change this layout to suit your needs. To do this, right-click on the Start button and select Settings. Then, click on Personalization and select Start. Here, you can toggle the various sections on and off to create a layout that suits your needs.
Customizing the Taskbar
The Taskbar is the strip at the bottom of the screen that shows your open apps and other information. You can also customize it to your liking. To do this, right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Here, you can:
- Show taskbar: Toggle this on or off to show or hide the Taskbar.
- Auto-hide the taskbar: Select this option to make the Taskbar automatically hide when you’re not using it.
- Use small icons: Select this option to use small icons on the Taskbar.
- Taskbar location: Select where you want the Taskbar to appear (bottom, top, or never).
Adding and Removing Tiles
The Start menu is made up of small tiles, which represent your apps. You can add and remove these tiles to customize the menu to your liking. To add a tile, follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu and click on All apps.
- Scroll through the list and find the app you want to add.
- Right-click on the app and select Pin to Start.
To remove a tile, right-click on the tile and select Unpin from Start.
Organizing Your Tiles
By default, the tiles are arranged in a grid. But you can group similar tiles together into folders to make them easier to find. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu and click on All apps.
- Right-click on the tile you want to move and drag it to the group where you want it to go.
- Release the mouse button to drop the tile in the group.
Customizing the Appearance
You can also customize the appearance of the Start menu. To do this, right-click on the Start button and select Settings. Then, click on Personalization and select Colors. Here, you can:
- Accent color: Select a color to use for the Start menu.
- Simplified Start: Toggle this on to simplify the Start menu and hide some of the sections.
- Show transparent Start menu: Toggle this on to make the Start menu transparent.
Additional Tips and Tricks
- Live tiles: Some apps, like Microsoft Outlook, can display live tiles that update in real-time.
- Multiple Start menus: You can have multiple Start menus open at the same time. To do this, press the Win + Tab keys to open the Task View.
- Customize the context menu: Right-clicking on the Start button opens a context menu that shows various options. You can customize this menu by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Customize.
Conclusion
Customizing the Start menu in Windows 10 is a great way to personalize your experience and make it work for you. With these simple tweaks, you can change the layout, add and remove tiles, and even customize the appearance of the menu. Whether you’re a power user or just looking to make your Windows 10 experience more enjoyable, these tips are sure to help.
Reference Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pinned | Shown by default, displayed apps |
| Recent | Shown by default, recently used apps |
| Frequent | Shown by default, frequently used apps |
| Taskbar | Customizable, shows open apps and info |
| Auto-hide | Hide Taskbar when not in use |
| Small icons | Use small icons on Taskbar |
| Taskbar location | Choose where Taskbar appears |
| Add tiles | Pin apps to Start menu |
| Remove tiles | Unpin apps from Start menu |
| Organize tiles | Group similar tiles together |
| Customize appearance | Change accent color, simplified Start menu, and more |
| Live tiles | Some apps display live tiles |
| Multiple Start menus | Open multiple Start menus at once |
| Custom context menu | Customize the right-click menu on the Start button |
I hope this article helps you to customize the Start menu in Windows 10 to your liking!