How to Customize the New Windows 12 Start Menu 2026 Guide
Hello my techie friends! Welcome back to Technical Kachhua. So, you finally installed Windows 12 and the first thing you see is that big, shiny new Start Menu. It looks very modern, almost like a mix of a smartphone and a classic PC. But let’s be real—everyone has their own style. Some people like it clean and empty, while others (like me!) want every important app right there in front of them.
In 2026, Microsoft has given us way more power to change how things look. You don’t have to stick with what they give you. Today, I am going to show you how to master the Windows 12 Start Menu and make it look exactly how you want. Let’s make your PC feel like your PC!
1. Changing the Basic Layout
Windows 12 doesn’t just have one look for the Start Menu. You can actually choose how much space you want for pinned apps vs. recommended files.
Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select Personalize.
Go to the Start section on the left.
Here you will see three options:
More Pins: This is best if you use a lot of apps and want them all on one screen.
Default: A balanced mix.
More Recommendations: Great if you are a student and want to quickly jump back into your recent AI-generated documents or school projects.
My Tip: I personally use “More Pins” because I hate scrolling through a long list to find my video editing software.
2. Using the New "AI Folders"
One of the coolest things in 2026 is that the Start Menu is now “smart.” You can create folders just like on an iPhone, but Windows 12 takes it further.
To create a folder: Just drag one app icon and drop it on top of another.
The AI Twist: If you name your folder “Work,” Windows 12 will automatically suggest other apps you might want to add there, like Excel or Slack.
Customizing Folder Icons: You can now right-click a folder and choose a specific color or even an emoji. It makes finding things so much faster!
3. Personalizing the "Floating" Effect
You might have noticed that the Windows 12 Start Menu “floats” above the taskbar. In 2026, you can actually change how much it floats!
Go to Settings > Personalization > Start.
Look for “Floating Gap”. You can use the slider to make the menu stick to the taskbar or float high like a tablet interface.
You can also change the Transparency (Acrylic effect). If you have a beautiful wallpaper, you might want to make the menu more transparent so you can still see the art behind it.
4. Customizing the "All Apps" List
In older versions of Windows, the “All Apps” list was just a boring alphabetical list. In Windows 12, you can change this.
Grid View vs. List View: You can now switch the “All Apps” section to a Grid View (like an iPad). It’s much easier to use if you have a touch-screen laptop.
Hide Recently Added: If you hate seeing that “Recently Added” section taking up space, you can turn it off in the Start settings. It keeps the menu looking very clean.
5. Adding System Folders Near the Power Button
Did you know you can add shortcuts right next to the Power button? This is a huge time saver.
Go to Settings > Personalization > Start > Folders.
Here you can toggle on icons for Settings, File Explorer, Downloads, Network, and even your Personal Folder.
Now, when you open the Start Menu to shut down your PC, you can quickly jump into your Downloads folder first. I use this every single day!
6. The "AI Recall" Integration
Since we are in 2026, the Start Menu has a small search bar that is powered by Windows Recall.
If you type “that blue car photo I saw yesterday,” the Start Menu will actually find that specific moment for you.
You can customize how much of this “AI History” shows up in your Recommended section. If you want more privacy, you can set it to “Only show pinned files.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people try to install 3rd-party “Classic Start” softwares. In Windows 11, that was okay, but in Windows 12, it can sometimes break the NPU features or cause the system to crash. I suggest sticking with the official settings. Trust me, with enough customization, the native Windows 12 menu is much better!
Conclusion
The Windows 12 Start Menu is all about balance. Whether you want a minimal look or a heavy productivity setup, the options are all there. Spend 10 minutes today playing with these settings, and I promise you will enjoy using your PC much more.
So, how did you customize your Start Menu? Do you like the floating look or do you prefer it stuck to the bottom? Tell me in the comments! I love hearing from the Technical Kachhua community.
Thanks for reading, stay techy, and keep exploring!
