01
Open Start settings
Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and pick **Taskbar settings**, then in the left sidebar switch to **Start**. All layout controls live here.
Pin apps into **groups** on Start, enable **folders next to Power** and rebalance **Pinned vs Recommended** space in **Settings** then **Personalization** then **Start**.
Requirements
- Windows 11 25H2
- Admin account (only required for folder pinning changes)
- No third-party Start menu replacers active (StartAllBack, Start11)
Instructions
02
Choose the pin/recommendation balance
Pick one of three layouts: **More pins**, **Default**, or **More recommendations**. **More pins** gives you four rows of pinned apps instead of three - the right choice if you launch apps from Start.
03
Enable folder shortcuts next to the Power button
Still on the **Start** page, scroll to **Folders** and toggle on the ones you want: **Settings**, **File Explorer**, **Documents**, **Downloads**, **Pictures**, **Network**, **Personal folder**. They appear as icons next to the power button.
tipDownloads and Settings are the two most useful - one click instead of three.
04
Hide recommendations if you want more room
Turn off **Show recently added apps**, **Show most used apps**, **Show recently opened items** and **Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps and more**. The Recommended section stays but the row shrinks.
05
Pin apps and arrange them into groups
Open **Start**, click **All apps**, right-click an app and pick **Pin to Start**. Back on the Pinned grid, drag one icon on top of another to create a folder. Click the folder, pick **Edit name** and label it (e.g. **Creative**, **Dev**, **Games**).
06
Pin a specific folder from File Explorer
In **File Explorer**, right-click any folder and pick **Pin to Start**. It appears as a tile in the Pinned area. Great for a project folder, OneDrive subfolder or network share.
07
Verify the layout survives a reboot
Sign out and back in. The pinned grid, folders and groups should all be in the same place. Start layout is tied to your user profile and syncs across devices if you sign in with the same Microsoft account.
Common issues
Pinned folders section is empty under Start settings
Update Windows via Settings then Windows Update - the Folders section landed with Windows 11 22H2 and matured through 25H2.
Pin to Start option is missing on a shortcut
Only .lnk shortcuts and installed apps can be pinned. For .exe files, right-click, pick Create shortcut, move the .lnk into %APPDATA%\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs and then pin from the Start All apps list.
Start Menu reverts to default after update
A feature update sometimes resets layout. Reapply - and if it keeps happening, sign in with the same Microsoft account on all devices so the layout syncs back.
Folders in the Pinned grid open the wrong way
Click the folder (not an app inside) and pick Edit name to rename, or drag items out one by one to break the folder.
Frequently asked
Can I move the Start button to the left?
Yes. In Taskbar settings, open Taskbar behaviors and set Taskbar alignment to Left.
Can I remove the Recommended section entirely?
Not with built-in settings. Pick More pins to shrink it to a single row - full removal needs third-party tools.
Does the layout sync across PCs?
Pinned apps sync when you sign in with the same Microsoft account and Settings sync is on.
How to undo this
Open Settings then Personalization then Start and pick Default layout. Turn all Folders toggles off. Right-click each pinned item in Start and pick Unpin from Start to clear the grid.
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