Windows 11 Start Menu gets full customization and speed boosts in latest Insider build

Microsoft’s Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8553 introduces a redesigned Start menu with extensive customization: you can independently show/hide Pinned, Recent, and All sections, switch Recommended to Recent, enable a real-time Recent view, hide the user name and profile picture, and choose from three predefined Start menu sizes (including a smaller option); All apps can be viewed in Grid or List and you can disable sections to reduce whitespace. Freeform resizing remains unavailable. Microsoft is boosting responsiveness with the Low Latency Profile and is rebuilding core Windows components with native WinUI 3 to deliver a faster Start menu, though the full native Start menu isn’t done yet.