Overview
- The redesign integrates the full All Apps list into the main Start page with three selectable views—Category, List, and Grid—and adapts to screen size to show more pinned and recommended items.
- Microsoft is delivering the changes to Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 through optional update KB5067036, which users can fetch via Windows Update with the expedited toggle or from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
- Some devices may need the prior September update KB5043080 before installing KB5067036, and the Start menu changes will appear in waves even after the update is applied.
- A new Phone Link panel surfaces recent calls, texts, and photos from a paired phone and supports resuming Android apps and moving files between devices.
- Additional tweaks include taskbar thumbnail animations, a color‑coded battery icon with optional percentage display, and optional recommended files in File Explorer; the new Start cannot be fully turned off, though elements like the Phone Link panel and views can be disabled, and power users can force‑enable the menu on builds 26100.7019 or 26200.7019 using ViveTool.