[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "how%20do%20i%20make%20the%20windows%2011%20start%20menu%20smaller"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are a few ways you can make the Start menu feel smaller/fits better in Windows 11\u2014some are built-in tweaks, others use third-party tools. Which ones you can use depends on which version of Windows 11 you have. I\u2019ll start with what Microsoft lets you do without extra software, then move on to what mod tools can do.\n\n---\n\n## Built-in tweaks\n\nThese don\u2019t let you drag the Start menu to resize like in older Windows, but they help reduce how much space it takes up visually and functionally.\n\n1. **Hide the Recommended items**  \n   The \u201cRecommended\u201d section shows recently opened files/apps and adds clutter that pushes the Start menu taller. You can completely turn this section off.  \n   Go to **Settings \u203a Personalization \u203a Start**, then toggle **off** or disable the Recommended items. ([windowscentral.com](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/whats-in-the-new-start-menu-on-windows-11-for-versions-25h2-and-24h2?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Disable the Phone Link / mobile-device panel**  \n   If the Phone Link panel (a sidebar showing mobile device info) is shown, hiding it helps narrow the \u201clook\u201d of Start.  \n   In **Settings \u203a Personalization \u203a Start**, toggle off \u201cShow mobile device in Start.\u201d ([windowscentral.com](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/whats-in-the-new-start-menu-on-windows-11-for-versions-25h2-and-24h2?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Use fewer pinned apps, switch app-list views**  \n   - Reduce the number of pinned apps to make the Pinned section less tall.  \n   - If your version lets you, collapse the All apps list or set it to \u201cShow less\u201d instead of the full list.  \n   - Change between views for All apps (e.g. list, grid, or category view) to see which looks more compact. ([windowslatest.com](https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/06/14/windows-11-24h2s-new-start-menu-auto-changes-size-based-on-screen-resolution/?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. **Adjust display scaling or resolution**  \n   The Start menu size in Windows 11 (especially recent builds, e.g. 25H2) adapts to your screen resolution and scaling settings. If you change those, the Start menu will often appear smaller or less overwhelming.  \n   E.g. raising scale can make individual elements larger; lowering scale means more space but smaller interface elements. ([windowslatest.com](https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/06/14/windows-11-24h2s-new-start-menu-auto-changes-size-based-on-screen-resolution/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## What Windows cannot do natively\n\n- There is **no built-in setting** to manually drag to resize the overall Start menu window (height/width exactly like Windows 10/7) in newer 25H2/24H2 updates. ([windowsforum.com](https://windowsforum.com/threads/shrink-windows-11-start-menu-built-in-tweaks-and-windhawk-mods.403167/?utm_source=openai))  \n- You can\u2019t permanently revert to the older Start menu once updated to the newer layout\u2014Microsoft is rolling it out gradually and new features (like the layout) aren\u2019t optional after they install. ([windowscentral.com](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/whats-in-the-new-start-menu-on-windows-11-for-versions-25h2-and-24h2?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Third-party tools / community mods\n\nIf the built-in options still leave Start too large for your liking, there are popular mod tools that give you more control\u2014at your own risk. Use these only if you\u2019re comfortable tweaking system UI, and always back up first.\n\n- **Windhawk**: a mod framework. There\u2019s a \u201cStart Menu Size\u201d mod you can install that lets you set custom pixel values for Start menu width and height. Eg defaults are around 834 px wide and full screen height for the redesigned Start, and the classic menu (~642\u00d7726) for size reference. You can shrink those. ([windowsforum.com](https://windowsforum.com/threads/shrink-windows-11-start-menu-built-in-tweaks-and-windhawk-mods.403167/?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Styler / themes with Windhawk**: These let you get rid of visual elements (search bar, profile button, recommended feed, etc.) so even if the window is large, it looks simpler and less busy. ([windowsforum.com](https://windowsforum.com/threads/shrink-windows-11-start-menu-built-in-tweaks-and-windhawk-mods.403167/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me your **exact Windows 11 version** (go to *Settings \u203a System \u203a About* and look at the version like 25H2 or 24H2), I can give instructions tailored to your setup so you can make it look like *your* Start menu feels smaller."
    }
]