Though the new Start menu isn’t as customizable as the one in Windows 10, there are ways to make it look and work the way you want. If that’s not enough, you may want to consider jumping ship to a Windows 11 Start menu alternative, like Start 11 and StartAllBack, to restore a more traditional Start menu and set the look, layout, colors, and other elements. Microsoft’s new Start menu for Windows 11 has been a divisive feature. Some people like it; some hate it. Either way, the new Start menu doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility and customization as the one in Windows 10. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it as is.

How to Use StartAllBack to Replace Windows 11’s Start Menu

•  Download and install StartAllBack from its official website.
•  Select a theme. I recommend Proper 11. All of the menus have a Windows 7 size and layout but Proper 11 has more rounded corners and the Windows 11 Start button.
•  Select Windows 10 Ribbon UI from the Explorer tab if you want to get the ribbon menu in File Explorer.
• Check Classic context menus on the Explorer tab if you want the full context menus.

How to put the Windows 11 Start menu back where it belongs

• Right-click on the taskbar and click on “Taskbar settings”
• Select “Taskbar behaviors”
• Look for “Taskbar alignment” and click on the button on the right where it says “Center.” Select “Left” instead.
• Close the settings window, and you’ll see that the app icons in the taskbar have moved to the left, with the Start menu icon in the corner.

How to Change the Start Menu Back to ‘Normal’

• Select the search button from the taskbar and type regedit.
• Select Open when Registry Editor appears.
• Navigate here by expanding the folders from the left pane:
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
• Right-click Advanced from the left pane and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Double-click the same value and change the data to be 1, and then select OK.
• Restart your computer.  choose Shut down or sign out > Restart. Logging out and back in will also work.

How to customize Windows 11 Start Menu

• Move Start Menu to the left side
• Change Start Menu color
• Pin or unpin apps
• Remove apps from the Recommended list
• Hide recently opened items/apps in Start Menu
• Show or hide Library folders

How do I change my Windows 11 wallpaper?

• Click the on-screen Windows button or press the Windows button on your keyboard.
• Click Settings.
• Go to Personalization.
• Choose Background.
• Select an already available image or click Browse to search for an image you’ve saved to your PC.