Microsoft shares a glimpse of rejected Windows 11 Start menu designs

Microsoft has been testing new Start menu designs for Windows 11 for a long time now. We’re now getting a glimpse of all the rejected designs. The company has shared several concept images showing different approaches to how the Start menu could have looked.

While the final design is rolling out this month to Windows 11, these concepts reveal that Microsoft explored radically different layouts before settling on the current update. The new Start menu brings a wider design, making it more spacious and customizable.

One key feature Windows 11 users have been waiting for is the ability to disable the recommended feed of files and apps from the Start menu. This was a feature that annoyed many users before. The update also adds quick access to your Android or iPhone content directly from the Start menu.

Microsoft tested a few designs for the Start menu before finalizing one, and here are all of them

However, before finalizing this design, Microsoft experimented with some other Start menu designs too. The company gave us a glimpse of all of them in a recent blog post.

One of the designs featured a rounded Start menu with a “For You” section. This would have shown things like Teams meetings, recent files, and YouTube videos.

Another Windows 11 Start menu design placed the “For You” section on the side, giving more room for categories of apps in the main area.

The company even redesigned the Start menu into a full-page layout. It had dedicated sections for apps, files, and direct phone access, designed for larger screens.

Not to forget, Microsoft also tested a version that would have filled the entire vertical space of the screen, adding more scrolling. These Start menu redesigns were tested with feedback from over 300 Windows 11 fans through unmoderated studies and live co-creation calls.

Microsoft wanted to make the Start menu faster and easier to use, while respecting users’ familiarity with previous versions. The final design aims for a balance between customizability and simplicity. The new Start menu will be available to all users soon.

It’s expected to roll out over the coming months, with Insiders getting an early look. Whether you love or hate the minimalist look of Windows 11, these design changes will likely be a welcome update for many.