How to resize new Start menu layout on Windows 11

Windows 11 now includes a new Start menu layout that feels oversized, even though it auto-scales by screen size.
You restore the original size of the Start menu or use a custom size using the Windhawk mod.

On Windows 11, recent updates introduce a redesigned Start menu that builds on the original concept by merging the Pinned, Recommended, and All sections into a single, scrollable layout. The interface automatically adapts to different screen sizes, creating a more unified and fluid experience.

While the new design is cleaner and even lets you remove the “Recommended” section, it comes with a drawback. The menu feels oversized, particularly on smaller displays. Although it scales dynamically, Windows 11 no longer provides a manual option to resize the Start menu as previous versions of the operating system once did.

If the larger layout does not work for you, third-party tools can help. For example, Windhawk allows you to restore a more compact Start menu size.

Windhawk works as a modular customization platform. Instead of installing a single, bloated application that attempts to modify every aspect of the system, you can browse, download, and apply individual mods to fine-tune specific behaviors and visual elements in Windows 11.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to the “Start Menu Size” mod in Windhawk to restore the original size of the Start menu on Windows 11.

Warning: Before proceeding, it’s crucial to acknowledge you’ll be making system changes. As such, it’s recommended to create a full system backup before making any changes. Proceed with caution and understanding.

Change the Start menu size on Windows 11

To resize the Start menu layout on Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open Start on Windows 11.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to install Windhawk and press Enter:
```
winget install --id RamenSoftware.Windhawk
```
Open the Windhawk app from the Start menu.
Click the Explore button in the top-right corner.
Search for “Start Menu Size” and click the Details button.
Click the Install button.
Click the “Accept Risk and Install” button.
Open the Home tab.
Turn on the toggle switch for the “Start Menu Size” mod (if applicable).
Click the Details button.
Click the Settings tab.
(Option 1) Set the width and height (in pixels) to resize the Start menu.
(Option 2) Set the width and height to 640 and 720 pixels to replicate the original layout size for 100 percent scaling.
(Option 3) Set the width and height to 0 (zero) to reset and use the default settings.
Click the Save settings button to apply the changes.

Once you complete the steps, you’ll be able to restore the original size of the Start menu, or anything you want in the layout.

Windows 11 Start menu resize / Image: Mauro Huculak

This is a comparison between the new and legacy layouts for the Start menu.