How to use Start menu folders in Windows 11

Creating and managing Start menu folders in Windows 11 is straightforward, but if you’re not familiar with the process, I’m here to guide you. Let’s explore this feature so you can get up to speed.

Prerequisites

Before we start, ensure you have Windows 11 version 22H2 installed on your computer. To check this:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down to About on the main page.
3. Under Windows specifications, verify that you have version 22H2 and build number 22621 or higher.

If you need the update, visit the Windows Update section in Settings. All laptops running Windows 11 support the update, though it may take time to roll out to everyone.

Creating a New Start Menu Folder

To create a Start menu folder, you’ll need items pinned to your Start menu. If you haven’t already pinned apps:

1. Go to the All apps list.
2. Right-click an app and select Pin to Start.

Once you have the desired apps pinned:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Click and drag one app icon over another app icon you want to group with. Align it carefully until an animation indicates that a folder will be created.
3. If you have multiple pages of pinned items, drag the icon to the top or bottom edge of the pinned area to scroll to a different page.
4. You’ll now have a folder with the two chosen apps. Drag more apps onto the folder to add them.

Clicking the folder will expand it, giving you access to the apps inside. You can drag and drop apps to organize them within the folder or drag them outside the folder to return them to the main pinned area.

Naming Your Folder

At the top of the folder, there’s a text field where you can edit the folder’s name. This name will also be displayed on the main Start menu page.

Click any area outside the folder to return to the main Start menu view. Repeat these steps to create more folders as needed. You can create as many folders as you want, and they can be rearranged just like individual apps.

Deleting Start Menu Folders

To delete a Start menu folder:

1. Open the folder.
2. Drag all items out of the folder area until it’s empty. The folder will automatically disappear if it contains fewer than two items.

Alternatively, right-click an app icon to unpin it from Start or uninstall the app if you no longer need it. This will also remove the app from the folder.

And that’s all you need to know to manage Start menu folders in Windows 11. Enjoy organizing your Start menu more efficiently!