Microsoft has introduced one of the most exciting updates for Windows 11 in a long time with Insider Preview Build 27.965 in its earliest test channel. The focus is on a completely redesigned Start menu and a new text editor for the command line, which together show where the operating system is headed: more clarity, more flexibility, and better tools for advanced users.
Windows 11: A Start Menu That Grows With You
The Start menu hasn’t just been visually refreshed; it has been structurally rethought. The most important change is a scrollable “All” view that makes all programs installed on Windows 11 directly accessible. Instead of navigating through nested levels, applications can now be found much more quickly.
Within this view, according to the Windows Insider Blog, two display options are available:
- The category view automatically groups programs by type and moves frequently used categories to the top. If you regularly switch between your email client and your favorite game, you’ll find both more quickly in the future.
- The grid view maintains alphabetical order but makes better use of the screen width, making long app lists easier to scan.
Windows remembers the selected view and opens the menu in your preferred mode next time.
Another new feature is that the Start menu adapts to the screen size. On large displays, more pinned apps, recommendations, and categories are shown simultaneously, while the layout is more compact on smaller devices. Individual sections like recommended or pinned apps can automatically shrink or be hidden entirely when not needed. You can specifically disable recommendation elements in the settings, freeing up more space for installed programs.
A new button for mobile devices next to the search field is also practical. It allows you to easily show and hide content from connected Android or iOS devices without leaving the desktop. Those who frequently switch between their computer and smartphone will benefit from a more seamless workflow.
New Text Editor for the Command Line
In addition to the visual innovations, Build 27.965 brings a tool that should particularly please developers and power users: a modern text editor for the command line, simply called Edit. It is integrated directly into Windows and can be launched via the Terminal application or the classic Command Prompt. A simple command – “edit” followed by the file name – opens the desired file immediately, without the detour through Notepad or an external development environment.
Interestingly, Edit is open source. Its development takes place publicly on GitHub, and Microsoft provides extensive documentation. With this, the company continues its course of opening up Windows more to developers – a trend that already began with the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
The update is currently being rolled out gradually via the Canary Channel. Members of the Windows Insider Program will receive it automatically through Windows Update. If you are not yet part of the program, you can sign up in the settings and activate the Canary Channel:
- Open the Start menu and go to “Settings” → “Windows Update” → “Windows Insider Program”.
- Click on “Get started”.
- Select “Link an account” and sign in with the Microsoft account you use for the Insider Program. If you want to use a different account, select “Use a different account” and enter the corresponding login details.
- You can then select the Insider channel through which you want to receive builds – in this case, the “Canary Channel” – and click “Continue”.
- Review the agreements displayed for your device and also confirm by clicking “Continue”.
- Finally, click “Restart now” for your device to receive the selected builds immediately. Alternatively, you can restart later; from then on, you will receive the Insider versions.
However, switching back later requires a fresh installation of Windows 11.
Source: Windows Insider Blog
This article was translated with the help of AI and carefully reviewed by our editorial team.