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Ever felt the Windows 11 Start Menu is just… too small? You’re not alone and surprisingly, Microsoft still doesn’t let you resize it.
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What’s Going On
In Windows 11, Microsoft redesigned the Start Menu and added some helpful features like:
Alternative Start Menu layouts
The option to disable the Recommended section
But one big limitation remains: you still can’t resize the Start Menu.
Fortunately, there’s a powerful customization tool called Windhawk that fixes this problem.
With a simple mod, you can adjust the Start Menu’s width, height, layout, and even the app grid.
Why You Should Care
The default Start Menu can feel restrictive if you:
Pin many apps
Use large monitors
Want better layout control
Prefer a more spacious interface
Resizing the Start Menu makes navigation faster and cleaner.
And the best part? It only takes a few minutes.
What Is Windhawk?
Windhawk is an open-source customization platform for Windows.
It lets you install lightweight mods that tweak system UI features without editing risky registry settings or replacing system files.
Key benefits:
Modular customization (install only what you need)
Safe and reversible changes
Active developer community
One of its most popular mods is Start Menu Styler, which lets you fully customize the Windows 11 Start Menu.
Resize the Windows 11 Start Menu (6 Steps)
Step 1: Download and Install Windhawk
Open your browser
Visit the official Windhawk website
Download the latest version
Run the installer
Follow the setup instructions
The installation usually takes less than two minutes.
⚠️ Always download from the official site to avoid modified versions.
Step 2: Launch Windhawk
Right-click Windhawk
Select Run as Administrator
Accept the security prompts
Running it as administrator ensures system-level interface changes work properly.
You’ll now see the Windhawk dashboard and mod library.
Step 3: Search for “Start Menu Styler”
Click Explore
Use the search bar
Type Start Menu Styler
Select the mod from the results
This mod allows you to:
Resize the Start Menu
Adjust layout height and width
Change app grid spacing
Hide the Recommended section
It’s one of the most widely used Windhawk mods.
Step 4: Install the Mod
Click Install
Wait for the installation to finish
Click Settings
You’ll see configuration options where you can adjust layout values — no coding required.
Step 5: Adjust the Start Menu Size
Inside the settings panel, look for options such as:
Width
Height
MaxHeight
App grid columns
To make the Start Menu larger:
Increase the Width value
Adjust Height if needed
Add grid columns to pin more apps
Press the Windows key to preview the changes instantly.
Keep tweaking until it fits your screen perfectly.
Step 6: Restart Windows Explorer (If Needed)
Sometimes changes apply instantly. If not:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Open Task Manager
Find Windows Explorer
Click Restart
After restarting Explorer, press the Windows key again to see the updated Start Menu.
Is Windhawk Safe?
Yes - Windhawk is widely trusted in the Windows customization community.
Unlike risky theme tools, it:
Doesn’t replace system files
Lets you disable or uninstall mods easily
Allows updates when Windows changes
If something breaks after a Windows update, simply disable the mod until compatibility is restored.
Pro Tip
If you use a large monitor or ultrawide display, increasing the Start Menu width and grid columns makes pinned apps much easier to access.
Install Windhawk from the official website
Use the Start Menu Styler mod
Increase width for better visibility
Add grid columns for more pinned apps
Restart Explorer if changes don’t appear
Wrapping up!
While Microsoft hasn’t added Start Menu resizing to Windows 11 yet, tools like Windhawk make it easy to customize the interface exactly how you want. With just one lightweight mod, you can expand the Start Menu, organize apps better, and create a layout that actually fits your workflow. Sometimes the best Windows features come from the community.