The Full-Screen Start Menu
The Windows 11 Start Menu is designed to be a compact, floating pane that appears in the center of your screen, displaying a grid of pinned apps and a short list of recently opened files. However, depending on how your system was configured (especially if you are using a 2-in-1 convertible laptop or a tablet), Windows might automatically force the Start Menu to open in a massive, full-screen view. When you hit the Windows key, the menu abruptly consumes your entire display, hiding your open applications, your wallpaper, and your taskbar. This tablet-optimized view is jarring and highly inefficient for users operating with a traditional mouse and keyboard.
How to Disable the Full-Screen Start Menu in Settings
You can force Windows 11 to always use the compact, floating layout by disabling the full-screen setting in the personalization menu.
1. Click the Start button on your taskbar, then click the gear icon to open the Settings app.
2. In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Personalization.
3. In the main pane, scroll down and click on Start.
4. You will see several layout options at the top (More pins, Default, More recommendations). Look below these layout examples for a list of toggle switches.
5. Locate the toggle switch labelled Use Start full screen (on some Windows 11 versions, this may be under a slightly older Windows 10 legacy menu depending on your update track, but it is generally found here).
6. Click the switch to turn it Off.
The next time you press the Windows key, the Start Menu will appear as a small, manageable overlay rather than a disruptive full-screen dashboard.
How to Adjust the Layout Grid
Once you have returned the Start Menu to its compact size, you might still find the layout annoying if it dedicates too much space to “Recommended” files rather than the apps you actually use.
1. Stay on the same Personalization > Start settings page.
2. Look at the visual layout choices at the very top of the window.
3. Click the box labelled More pins.
This setting significantly shrinks the bottom “Recommended” section, expanding the top grid to allow you to pin many more application icons directly to the first page of the compact Start Menu, further improving your desktop workflow.