This article will show you how to change the classic Windows 11 Start menu to make your desktop look more like Windows 10. It involves adding a registry value to the Windows registry, but it's very simple and easy to accomplish.

The Windows 11 Start menu looks quite different from the one in Windows 10. As you can see, pinned items are displayed at the top, with everything else accessible via an All Apps button. Featured and Recent items occupy the bottom half. The Power button lets you put your computer to sleep, shut it down, or restart it.

Performing the registry tweak described below will restore the classic Start menu. It works almost exactly like the Windows 10 Start menu, with recently added items on the left and pinned apps on the right. The power button is on the left side of the classic menu, and unlike Windows 10, there are no links along the left panel for Settings, Documents, Pictures, etc. unless you tweak the settings (more on that below).

Windows 11 sets a new standard for the Start menu. It’s not exactly the same as the menu you’re used to in Windows 10, but fortunately a little registry tweak can make it feel more like the classic Start menu you might prefer.