How to enable new Start menu design on Windows 10 2004

You can now enable the new Start menu design coming with version 20H2 – if you're running the Windows 10 version 2004 with the preview of the next cumulative update – here's how.

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@Pureinfotech
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Enable Start menu on WIndows 10 2004
Enable Start menu on WIndows 10 2004

If you’re already running Windows 10 version 2004 with update KB4568831, it’s possible to enable the new Start menu design coming with version 20H2. Microsoft recently made available a preview of cumulative update KB4568831 for devices running Windows 10 version 2004 (May 2020 Update) coming in August 2020, and alongside a slew of fixes, the update is also preparing the operating system for the arrival of version 20H2 later this year.

As a result, if you install the update KB4568831 manually, you can enable some features expected to arrive with Windows 10 20H2 (via Deskmodder), including the improved Alt + Tab experience, and the new Start menu design that reduces the color of blocks using transparency to match the menu color scheme and uses traditional icons designs that should help to make easier to scan and find an app quickly.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to enable the update version of the Start menu on Windows 10 May 2020 Update before it becomes officially available on version 20H2.

Warning: It’s very important to note that modifying the Windows Registry can cause serious problems if not used properly. It’s assumed you know what you’re doing and that you have created a full backup of your system before proceeding.

Enable new Start menu on Windows 10 May 2020 Update

To enable the new Start menu on Windows 10 version 2004 (update KB4568831 install is required before proceeding), use these steps:

  1. Open Start on Windows 10.

  2. Search for regedit, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Browse the following path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides

  4. Right-click the Overrides (folder) key, select the New submenu, and click on Key.

    Registry Overrides key
    Registry Overrides key

  5. Name the new key 0 and press Enter.

  6. Right-click the 0 (folder) key, select the New submenu, and click on Key.

    Regedit key 2093230218
    Regedit key 2093230218

  7. Name the new key 2093230218 and press Enter.

  8. Right-click the 2093230218 key, select the New submenu, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  9. Name the new key EnabledState and press Enter.

  10. Double-click the newly created key and set its value from 0 to 2.

    EnabledState key
    EnabledState key

  11. Right-click the 2093230218 key, select the New submenu, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  12. Name the new key EnabledStateOptions and press Enter.

  13. Double-click the newly created key and make sure the value is set to 0.

    EnabledStateOptions key
    EnabledStateOptions key

  14. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, the new Start menu design with tiles that match the system color scheme will enable on your installation. If you don’t see the changes, you may need to restart the device a few times, or repeat the steps again.

In you want to revert the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 4, make sure to right-click the 0 key and select the Delete option.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

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 14 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 20 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].