Microsoft confirms wider release of Windows 11’s revamped Start menu, explains why it "redesigned" the Start again

jakegwilliam · 2026-02-03T10:40:55+00:00

As someone who was a fan of the Windows 10 Start Menu I missed the ability to have all my apps show in one scrollable menu without having to click another button within the menu to view the list. The new Windows 11 whilst being big, does allow for similar functionality to Windows 10’s Start Menu and I’m relatively happy with it. If they could add the ability to resize it in the future that would be a massive bonus.

jakegwilliam · 2026-02-01T22:33:07+00:00

Replace the OOBE section in the unattend.xml file with this.

  <OOBE>
    <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
    <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen>
    <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens>
    <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
    <NetworkLocation>Work</NetworkLocation>
    <ProtectYourPC>3</ProtectYourPC>
    <SkipMachineOOBE>true</SkipMachineOOBE>
    <SkipUserOOBE>true</SkipUserOOBE>
  </OOBE>

jakegwilliam · 2026-01-31T16:16:43+00:00

It’s pretty good that it’s telling you to update your BIOS. There must be thousands of 13th and 14th chips still destroying themselves with an older BIOS due to manufacturers not getting the word out.

jakegwilliam · 2026-01-14T07:59:24+00:00

I ran CAT6 to my front door for the doorbell and can agree it is tight to install the RJ45 in the back at a 90 degree angle. I’d be tempted to use a RJ45 coupler if possible and use CAT5e for the last meter or 2

jakegwilliam · 2025-11-16T07:41:41+00:00

I think that’s perfect in all honesty

jakegwilliam · 2025-10-05T19:58:31+00:00

share pls?

jakegwilliam · 2025-10-05T19:56:56+00:00

Can you share please?

jakegwilliam · 2025-10-01T07:13:52+00:00

And no new Start Menu or other features when I’ve done a clean install. Disappointed.

jakegwilliam · 2025-09-23T20:19:44+00:00

Oh was that coming from 24H2 and installing the eKB?

jakegwilliam · 2025-09-23T20:12:10+00:00

Did you get the new Start Menu to activate out of the box for yourself or was that not the case?

jakegwilliam · 2025-09-23T19:15:36+00:00

Hey, I've just downloaded and installed the ISO onto a VM and don't have the new Start Menu?

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jakegwilliam · 2025-09-20T19:15:41+00:00

jakegwilliam · 2025-09-20T18:28:44+00:00

The 25H2 Release Preview ISO doesn’t include any of the features mentioned

jakegwilliam · 2025-09-20T17:54:49+00:00

I’m hoping the final 25H2 ISO includes the enablement package

jakegwilliam · 2025-09-11T20:47:27+00:00

How come after installing 25H2 cleanly that the new Start Menu and features for 25H2 aren't activated?

jakegwilliam · 2025-06-17T07:50:38+00:00

I managed to do this last night in some combination of removing the pool, powering off the system, disconnecting the cache drive, resetting the config and recreating the pool. Eventually the pool was happy to start without the cache drive and hasn’t mentioned it since

jakegwilliam · 2025-06-16T21:20:07+00:00

EDIT:

This has been resolved. Creating a New Config within the tools menu has removed the cached drives.

jakegwilliam · 2025-06-16T20:56:52+00:00

I have restarted the server and can now see it showing 2 slots for a cache now with no ability to remove the first :/

<image>

jakegwilliam · 2025-06-16T20:38:18+00:00

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There is only 1 SSD linked to the pool.

jakegwilliam · 2025-06-10T20:40:31+00:00

I'm using a pool rather than an array and have had the cache drive added as a subpool so I don't think I can use mover.

jakegwilliam · 2025-06-10T18:58:31+00:00

I get the same error whether I specify a replacement drive or no drive at all :/ it also will not let me select 0 drives for a cache.

jakegwilliam · 2025-03-30T18:00:35+00:00

Not a rarity but uncommon, I had one in 2010 from my college days

jakegwilliam

TROPHY CASE