This week, Microsoft distributed build 26300.8553 for the Experimental channel of Windows 11. The update brings direct changes to the Menu Iniciar interface. Usuários now has more control over what appears and how the menu appears on the screen.
Essas changes respond to frequent complaints from those who migrated from Windows 10. The company adjusted the approach after collecting feedback on usability of Barra, Tarefas and Menu Iniciar. The new compilation advances the visual redesign initiated throughout 2025.
Menu Iniciar gets granular visibility controls
The settings panel allows you to independently manage three main parts of Menu Iniciar. Usuários enable or hide pinned applications, the full list of all programs and the recommendations section, officially renamed to “Recent”.
Essa flexibility reaches the point of allowing all divisions to be deactivated at the same time. The menu then just displays a simple warning and a shortcut to the personalization settings. Muitos find this option useful for those who prefer a minimalist look.
Outra possibility keeps only pinned items visible. The layout is cleaner. Novos programs can still be added directly from the Windows search results.
Short Frases help to summarize the practical gain. The user decides what they see. The interface no longer imposes a rigid structure.
Adaptive Tamanhos for Menu Iniciar and Barra from Tarefas
The update introduces predefined size profiles. The options are Grande, Pequeno and Automático. Grande mode expands the space to up to eight horizontal columns of applications and four cross-organized categories.
Já Pequeno mode reduces the area to six columns of pinned items and three simultaneous categories. The Automático remains the default and adjusts according to the display configuration.
Essa change represents progress compared to the previous version, which offered a fixed size. Ainda thus differs from the total freedom of Windows 10, where it was possible to drag edges freely to adjust in real time.
- Opção Grande: eight columns and four categories
- Opção Pequeno: six columns and three categories
- Opção Automático: dynamic adjustment according to screen
The list above shows the three profiles available in build 26300.8553. Testes initials indicate good adaptation to different monitor sizes.
Privacidade gains prominence with option to hide profile name
Microsoft added a simple but relevant feature for those who frequently record screens. Agora is possible to hide user profile name and photo in the bottom corner of Menu Iniciar.
The aim is to protect identifying data in presentations, video calls or live broadcasts. Profissionais and content creators gain more control over what appears publicly.
Essa tool appears at a time when privacy gains weight in discussions about operating systems. The change is subtle in the interface, but reinforces the company’s attention to real usage scenarios.
Persistent Limitações still require future attention
Nem all rough edges have been resolved in the current update. The search field within Menu Iniciar continues to behave inconsistently. When clicking on the bar, the interface often opens the separate Busca window from Windows, interrupting the flow.
The organization by categories also shows rigidity. Third-party Softwares like Steam, Slack, WhatsApp and Affinity suite often fall into the generic “Other” section. The automatic cataloging mechanism still fails to correctly classify common everyday tools.
Esses points indicate that Microsoft has room to evolve the feature with smarter classifications, possibly using lightweight AI models in the future. For now, build 26300.8553 already delivers concrete customization gains.
What changes in practice for common users
Muitos professionals who use the Windows in their daily work should notice an immediate difference. The ability to remove unwanted sections reduces distractions. Quem prefers to focus on the essentials and gains a more direct menu.
Estudantes and home users also benefit from adaptive sizes. On smaller screens, Pequeno mode may leave more space for other elements. On large monitors, Grande better explores available real estate.
Renaming “Recommended” to “Recent” seems small, but it improves clarity. The term new better reflects the content displayed, which mixes recently opened files and usage-based suggestions.
Distribution of build 26300.8553 began at the end of May 2026 to participants in the Experimental channel. Common Usuários must still wait a few weeks or months until the stable version arrives, depending on the Microsoft timeline.
Especialistas follows how these changes influence the general perception of Windows 11. Após years of criticism about rigidity in the interface, the adjustments signal greater openness to community feedback.
The path remains open for additional refinements. The company has already demonstrated a willingness to adjust the system based on real usage reports.