Microsoft Unveils New Start Menu: Exciting Update Coming to Windows 11

In a blog post published on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Microsoft announced a redesign of the Windows 11 Start Menu, first spotted by a user in an early version of Windows 24H2 in early April. This update, initially available to members of the Windows Insider program, will also introduce several AI-based features to Microsoft’s new line of PCs. The rollout in Europe is expected later this year.

Revamped Design and Features for the Windows 11 Start Menu

Previously criticized for its lack of coherence, ergonomics, or customization, the Windows 11 Start Menu has been redesigned to be more personal, according to Microsoft. This larger and now big-screen friendly version (see cover image) will offer more customization options. The All Apps view is now sorted by category (productivity, gaming, social media, etc.) and will be more accessible, automatically organizing your apps based on frequency of use, the company explains.

The most notable new feature is the introduction of a new panel dedicated to your synced iOS or Android smartphone. Located at the top right of the Start Menu, this panel will provide access to your contacts, messages, calls, and information like your phone’s battery level, as demonstrated in the video below.

Microsoft Integrates More AI-Enhanced Features

Alongside this redesign, Microsoft is progressively adding AI-powered features to its operating system. Currently, these are exclusively available on Copilot+ PCs, its new range of desktops and laptops optimized for artificial intelligence. Here are some of the key new features unveiled by the Redmond-based company:

• An integrated AI agent in settings: Microsoft announces that it will be possible to summon an intelligent agent “to find, modify settings or troubleshoot your PC issues”. Users can describe their problem, and the AI agent will autonomously adjust settings.
• A Perfect Screenshot tool: particularly promising, as shown in the video below, this feature will “automatically detect the main content on the screen” and adjust the capture area. Users will have the option to manually crop the screenshot or extract text from it.
• New tools for Paint and Photos: Paint now includes a sticker generator and an object selection tool that allows users to isolate, remove, or alter a visual element, while Photos introduces a feature called Relight, which enables users to “reposition up to three light sources on an image, define their color, and adjust their intensity,” according to Microsoft.