Windows 11 Gets Major Update with Redesigned Start Menu
Microsoft has released a new test version of Windows 11, featuring a significant change to the start menu, now available to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel with Build 26120.961. This change also comes with the optional update KB5039302.
The new start menu design centers the Microsoft account, putting it at the top of the start menu when you click on the profile picture or username. This "Account Manager" gives users quick access to their various Microsoft accounts, such as Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, or OneDrive cloud storage, along with a recovery method for their Microsoft account.
The redesign of the start menu comes with a promotion of Microsoft’s services. The user is practically forced to take out a paid Microsoft 365 subscription, a feature that is not immediately noticeable at first glance.
Comparison of the old and new start menu
Microsoft justified the decision for the new user account menu as follows:
"With this update, we begin rolling out the new Account Manager in the Start menu. When you sign in with a Microsoft account, the new design gives you a quick overview of your account benefits and makes it easier to manage account settings."
However, the new design of the user account menu has significant side effects: the previously immediately accessible items "Lock", "Logout" or "Switch user" are no longer immediately accessible in the new menu. Instead, users now have to click on the three dots in the top right of the new user account menu to reach the menu items "Logout" and "Switch user" and "Lock" can also only be reached with an additional click.
It is still unknown when this change will come to all Windows 11 users, but the next major fall update, 24H2, could be a likely candidate.
