On Windows 11 build 22635.3420, the Start menu hides a new design for the “All Apps” menu, and in this guide, I’ll show you the steps to enable the new design.
Microsoft is working on updating the “All Apps” menu with a new design that arranges the apps like the “Pinned” section of the Start menu, with larger icons and a left-to-right alignment instead of the list menu design style and without the speed dial option to jump to a specific section in the menu.
If you have a device enrolled in the Beta Channel, you can get early access to the design using the ViveTool to enable the experimental design (via @PhantomOfEarth).
In this guide, I will teach you the steps to move the Widgets experience to the right side on Windows 11.
Enable new Start All Apps menu design on Windows 11
To enable the new All Apps menu design on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable the new All Apps menu.
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Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.
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Click the Extract all button.
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Click the Extract button.
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Copy the path to the folder.
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Open Start.
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Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Type the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:
cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x
In the command, remember to change the path to the folder with your path.
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Type the following command to enable the new All Apps menu design and press Enter:
vivetool /enable /id:47205210 /variant:2 vivetool /enable /id:48433719
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Restart the computer.
Once you complete the steps, the All Apps menu will show the new app arrangement.
If you change your mind, you can revert the changes with the same instructions, but on step 10, make sure to use the vivetool /disable /id:47205210 /variant:2 and the vivetool /disable /id:48433719 commands and then restart the computer.
If you look closer, it even resembles the macOS Launchpad experience since it includes the same arrangement. The only difference is that the macOS interface is a full-screen experience.
This is the new All Apps menu design hidden in the latest preview of Windows 11.
I recently published a video highlighting the new changes for build 22635.3420, and one thing that stood out from the comments was the dislike of the design changes for the All Apps menu.
I agree with the complaints since the new icon arrangement makes it more difficult for users to find apps, and there are no sorting options or settings to revert to the legacy view.
However, it’s important to point out that Microsoft hasn’t even officially mentioned the existence of this visual change. Perhaps, if the company ends up rolling these changes to users, it’s likely that the “Start” settings page may include an option to revert the changes to the legacy view.
Do you like the new design for the All Apps menu? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].