Windows 11 Start Menu Is Getting Bigger and Smarter

Microsoft has announced a new Windows 11 update that transforms the Start menu and introduces AI-powered features. The first to receive these changes will be Copilot Plus PCs running Snapdragon X processors — including the newly unveiled Surface devices.

The Start menu will become more spacious, with scrollable access to all apps and new categories. A redesigned sidebar will display recent messages, calls, battery levels, and contacts for synced iPhones or Android devices.

The Settings app will integrate an AI assistant capable of adjusting system preferences and helping users troubleshoot problems. According to Microsoft, these features aim to make Windows "more intuitive, accessible, and helpful."

Updates are also coming to Paint, Photos, and Snipping Tool. The Photos app will get a Relight feature that lets users add up to three light sources. Paint will introduce smart object selection, object repositioning, generative fill, and text-to-sticker creation. The Snipping Tool will feature Perfect Screenshot, text extraction from images, and an eyedropper for color picking.

ARM-based Copilot Plus devices will receive the update first, followed by Intel and AMD-based Copilot Plus PCs.