Start Menu

Bonnie S 0 Reputation points
2026-10-16T21:01:34.2666667+00:00

I would like to organize the start menu "within" the category list (not the quick access area at the top)

Example;

My games are all listed in alphabetical order. In previous Win OS versions I could create folders and have them listed in alpha. order within the new folder. The games are listed individually by title, some with a folder and some not.

I would like to create a Game Folder and put all games in that folder within the start list. This makes it much easier especially if I don't remember the technical name for the game.

Is this feature still available in Windows 11 64 bit?

Again; create folders in the start list menu, move apps etc ( create shortcut, copy and paste into the start list) and still maintain the alphabetical order for easy finding...

I hope I expressed what I want to do well enough for you to understand。

Regards，
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Start Menu
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  1. Bonnie S 0 Reputation points
    2026-10-16T21:10:46.6433333+00:00

    Thank you for the response--

    I had a feeling I could no longer do this. That said, I wish I knew why Microsoft decided to no longer support this feature, and some other's as well. Every time a new Windows OS is introduced it's like learning how to use a computer all over again...this last one for sure.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-16T21:01:47.7766667+00:00

    No. Windows 11 does not provide a built-in way to create custom folders inside the All apps/category list and manually move apps into those folders while keeping that list alphabetized.

    What Windows 11 does support:

    1. Pinned area folders only
      • Folders can be created in the Pinned section of Start by dragging one pinned item over another.
      • More pinned apps can be dragged into that folder.
      • This applies to the pinned area at the top of Start, not the All apps list.
    2. All apps views
      • The All section can be viewed in Category, Grid, or List view.
      • Grid and List views are ordered alphabetically.
      • The Start menu remembers the last selected view.
    3. No classic Start menu mode
      • There is no built-in option in Windows 11 to switch to a classic Windows 7-style Start menu or fully customize Start to work that way.

    So for the specific scenario described—creating a Games folder inside the alphabetical Start app list and moving game shortcuts into it—this feature is not available as a built-in Windows 11 feature.

    References:

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