Like Windows 10, can we do grouping in Start in Windows 11?

NndnG 1,101

Hi,

We can do grouping of applications in Windows 10 at Start as below:

Can we do same in Windows 11? If yes, please let me know, how?

With Regards
NndnG

Fred Fisher 36 Reputation points

2021-11-10T18:20:44.567+00:00

That is a deal breaker. Until this is fixed my company and I WILL NOT be using Windows 11. The time, retraining and COST of making this switch is prohibitive.
Nat Del 16 Reputation points

2021-12-22T15:21:25.737+00:00

I agree. I set up my start menu to take up the whole screen and grouped everything that I use. My most frequently used apps are pinned to my taskbar and my 2nd most used apps are in my start menu. I can get used to this I guess, but now I will need to pin more apps to my taskbar. :(
Eric Bohner 11 Reputation points

2022-01-01T04:25:13.75+00:00

It's a common joke that with Microsoft it's never a bug ... it's a feature... but in this particular case... there is a paradigm shift happening in how computers are being used by younger users, that Microsoft is trying to get ahead on.... leaving all of us old-timers scratching our head.

We are used to organizing Files in folders and subfolders, and programs in categories. Then we navigate through the tree to find what we are looking for.

The next generation of computer users grew up using smart phones more than computers and often the apps are in just one large app drawer, so it's easier to search for the app you want. Studies have been done that show that this is how younger computer users are starting programs now. In windows 10 they just typed what they wanted in Cortana and click on the program. They don't bother to categorize or navigate to any of their applications.

Look at the new start menu. The top of the menu... the main part of the menu... is a Search bar. You don't group your icons because you aren't arranging your apps... When you want to open skype you type in sk and there is skype. That is how the youth are using the computer so Microsoft is shifting with it.

I empathize. I'm 44 so I'm definitely old school, but it frustrated me less when I understood the motivation for them making the change. It's not just change for change's sake. There is a method to the madness.
Leon Laude 85,651 Reputation points

2022-01-01T08:51:24.263+00:00

I am fully on the same page as you @Eric Bohner , to likely make a difference I strongly recommend providing feedback or upvoting the existing feedbacks about getting the grouping feature back to Windows 11, the more votes/feedback there is, the higher the chance of this being implemented.

Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/send-feedback-to-microsoft-with-the-feedback-hub-app-f59187f8-8739-22d6-ba93-f66612949332

Here’s also another thread:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-insider-program/i-want-to-be-able-to-group-app-icons-on-start-menu-windows-11/td-p/2723559
tariq sharif 6 Reputation points

2022-01-01T09:01:48.147+00:00

For example, I have a bunch of apps etc i use for my study programme in one "group" in the Win 10 start. In Win 11 , i now have to remember their names and search for them ... why do younger users think this is more efficient ... strange.

I am certain people can explain it to my 53 year brain, but i am struggling to comprehend it....

I wonder if it is possible to try Win 11 and the revert to Win 10, is this an option, this menu issue is the ONLY reason i have no updated - thanks
Laurel Williams 6 Reputation points

2022-01-03T17:59:34.03+00:00

But I can group Icons on my android phone so it sounds like MS is trying to see if anyone is using the feature. They have done this often with new releases. That is why I have 11 on my new computer and have not upgraded any of my older computers. We had a running joke that you always waited two updates before you sent the update to the users.
Bart Kestelyn 1 Reputation point

2022-01-07T09:36:48.977+00:00

While you are certainly correct, giving us "old-timers" (53 here ...) the possibility to do this doesn't take away the "new generation's" way of working ...
Sebastian Forman 1 Reputation point

2022-01-10T07:42:58.417+00:00

I guess I'm somewhat in the early generation shift when it comes to this (30). Like on my phone, I tend to pin and organise my most used apps (just visual hierarchy, without folders) and used the cortana search whenever I need something else. So mixed use depending on the use case.

So although I fully understand the implementation and what you've described, I'm still think it's a step back. Not a deal breaker, I'm adaptable, but it would be nice to have this opportunity reimplemented.

Also I'd prefer if I could hide the recommended section.

On a side note, the overall UI change does look to me like something that would work great on a mobile device. Return of Windows Phone? App drawer, nice UI animation in control panel (settings) and with Android app support, the app selection would be less limited.
Richard Flack 16 Reputation points

2022-01-10T15:56:41.263+00:00

Clearly, there should be a choice.

Grouping of frequently used apps allows one to get the the app in just a couple of clicks. Its the only way to manage a large number of commonly used apps (more than 8 say).
I had four or five groups (System. Productivity, Photography, Media, Games) with up to six or seven apps in each.

Using search, you have to know the correct name.

My interim solution is to just have a small number pinned. I don't quite see this as a deal breaker but would be a factor if there are other issues.
Misc59 6 Reputation points

2022-01-13T17:27:37.563+00:00

LOL...different needs for different people but I like to be able to group my start items...saves time and allows me to be more productive...gonna give Apple a shot and then likely switch back to W10.
Richard Flack 16 Reputation points

2022-01-13T18:00:54.077+00:00

Speaking of other issues ....

What on earth were they thinking putting cut / past etc on a sub menu of rt-click on a file etc? So now two actions for a cut (or paste).
And ... some if the options on the first menu are questionable for frequency of use (the criterion surely for being on the A list) - eg 'pin' , compress, copy as path IMNSHO.
Eric Bohner 11 Reputation points

2022-01-14T20:09:50.127+00:00

Stardock Window 11 Start menu alternative just added this functionality

https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/
Rolf Wendt 1 Reputation point

2022-02-02T00:17:49.23+00:00

It's more than convenience for me, as a consultant. I have several SW development IDEs. several HW development CAD programs, a slew of simulation tools, tons of debugger and test equipment tools. I can never remember the names of them off the top of my head... so I stick them into whatever container suites their function... HW, SW, CAD, Debug, Equipment, Office, etc. The lack of doing this is a deal-breaker.
Juan Borrero 1 Reputation point

2022-02-02T13:47:01.083+00:00

My desktop PC at home which I use for work in Virtual Production updated to Windows 11 and this has been the most frustrating and infuriating feature of the new Windows update. I use phones, tablets, and computers for work. As a multimedia professional I use over 11 different applications on a daily basis. Grouping was an excellent feature that allowed me to group production applications, of which I use over 25 of them including but not limited Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Unreal Engine, Unity, Sublime Text Editor, Notepad++, Visual Studio, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere, Reaper, Audition, Cinema4D, Clip Studio, Black Magic Design Applications, AXIS Studio, AVID Media Composer, Dreamweaver, Android Studio, Marmoset, Flashback Studio, Substance Painter, Substance Designer, Substance Alchemist, Keyshot, Shotgun, Github Desktop, Marmoset Toolbag, and Cura slicer. YES! These are the amount of computer applications someone working the industry of Animation, Virtual Production, and Multimedia Development needs to know or be able to work with. Being able to group my applications was the best feature of windows 10. Removing in windows 11 was and IS the worst step backwards ever. I do not use my computer as a tablet, I use it for work! I will have to clutter my Desktop again with application shortcuts one more time, windows XP style, because although I use these apps weekly, having to type their name on a search bar each time or scrolling to find them makes me lose precious time in an already tight deadline environment.
ld111134 1 Reputation point

2022-02-02T15:45:13.807+00:00

I I am an oldster too, although I do pride myself on keeping up with personal technology developments. I really miss the ability to separate apps into groups in Windows II, which is something that I did in all previous iterations of Windows. I am glad that I can still group my apps on my iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Maciej Gromadzki 1 Reputation point

2022-02-24T18:40:03.297+00:00

Sure, pay extra for an app that will add a feature that has been cut out from OS you've already paid for.
Steve Carstensen 1 Reputation point

2022-02-24T23:43:26.15+00:00

See no problem:
Auslander 1 Reputation point

2022-03-02T01:01:28.8+00:00

Looks like this feature is now in Windows 11 insider preview build 22557.
Noam Kinrot 1 Reputation point

2022-03-09T06:34:44.777+00:00
I can understand that MSC is constantly looking at young users as a future target market. Having stated that..-MSC forgot that statistically, the age average of the western world is growing, and the life expectancy as well.
I remember how it was to be young, and being young doesn't mean being efficient

this is actually one of the more had earned lessons in life - the older you get, the more efficient you get, just to conserve energy (and time).

I was successful in getting lodytes to be almost self sufficient on Win 7, and 10, one of which has since then operates also a Mac and is self reliant for the most part on both OSs.

My approach was to introduce everything in a logical order with an operation tree, i.e., power on > windows on > login > menu > etc... // etc.. >menu > power off.

Same as using folders and sub-folders for different fields of interest.

One feature that was never there but would be awesome would be to customize folders by color (not only yellow, but also green, red etc..) - I use folder customization to easily find which folders I backup
regularly, others that are for immediate addressing, while others which can be of more consequence, but are do not require immediate attention, can be customized with a different color.

The "new" style menu should have the optional ability to operate for older crowds which are more efficient, as well as the newer and more exuberant crowd.
Raul Rocco 1 Reputation point

2022-03-12T23:33:43.083+00:00

This is really disappointing as this is ABSOLUTELY change for change sake. If their "rationale" is that "most users just search for apps", 1. That is garbage which is made clear by the response to removing the option to group items and b. that is garbage because W10 had both methods, so what was the impetus behind removing ONE of the methods?? Why did they not just keep both so users would be able to use their preferred method?

This is why I almost never do a major update until/unless someone comes up with apps or workarounds for bad decisions. Unfortunately, MS and most companies that have gotten too big for their britches DGAF about user feedback, so while we will complain and submit suggestions they will ignore it as they have shown to ignore most feedback they get.
Isaki Dube 6 Reputation points

2022-03-19T09:50:47.023+00:00

I wonder why any programmer, even a junior one with zero experience would think that a group of pinned items that cannot be further subdivided according to sub-groupings is good design. Its like a big airplane with only one seat for all 150 passengers to scramble and squeeze there. If I were Microsoft, I'd

14 answers

Mark Jones 36 Reputation points

2021-10-21T21:46:38.383+00:00

Just upgraded to Win11 and this is the first thing I went to do....and I can't do it. So all of the logical groupings of apps I was used to is now a 3 page set of pinned apps with basic drag and drop ordering. Feels like a step backwards and very disappointing to see this feature now absent.
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7 people found this answer helpful.
Tim Winner 1 Reputation point

2021-12-04T19:10:27.757+00:00

I couldn't agree more. It is ridiculous that this feature has been removed.
Definitely a step backwards Microsoft.

tariq sharif 6 Reputation points

2021-12-25T14:29:28.603+00:00

Exactly why i am not updating .... thanks ... microsoft.
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Gareth Durbridge 26 Reputation points

2021-10-17T10:10:01.64+00:00

I would like to be able to group apps, just like I can on my mobile phone, I would like to created my own logic to help me navigate to my apps. Please bring this back Microsoft
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lalz 21 Reputation points

2021-10-27T06:19:40.623+00:00

It'd be really nice to have this feature again. I thought it would be retained in W11, but it is a bit annoying to see that I'm unable to group the items in the start into a folder.
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Leon Laude 85,651 Reputation points

2021-08-23T17:54:53.603+00:00

Hi @NndnG ,

As far as I know it is not possible to do grouping in the Start Menu of Windows 11, you can only pin the applications you want but you cannot group them.

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If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you!

Best regards,
Leon
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Shane Wheeler 6 Reputation points

2021-12-12T07:52:59.053+00:00

Yes indeed , an unneeded and I'd have to say Unwanted change . First well second annoyance since upgrading . First was buttons in the middle , easy fix . but not the start menu problem .....

Nat Del 16 Reputation points

2021-12-22T15:23:30+00:00

This option is fine, but should be an option. Windows 10 was great because of the ability to customize to your taste. It's disappointing to upgrade to less. :(

Leon Laude 85,651 Reputation points

2021-12-22T15:30:18.46+00:00

There is existing feedback about this in the Feedback Hub, I strongly recommend providing feedback to add this feature to Windows 11, the more votes/feedback there is, the higher the chance of this being implemented.

Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/send-feedback-to-microsoft-with-the-feedback-hub-app-f59187f8-8739-22d6-ba93-f66612949332

Here’s also another thread:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-insider-program/i-want-to-be-able-to-group-app-icons-on-start-menu-windows-11/td-p/2723559
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ernest adewoyin 11 Reputation points

2021-10-27T12:17:35.453+00:00

I personally believe that windows made a loss here by trying to copy the philosophy of the "app" interface when it comes to the start windows. I mean, even iPhones and ipads can group apps. I just don't see what's so hard about grouping apps that Microsoft couldn't do.

However, I look forward to a future when they consider it and bring it back. At the very least, it gives us the options to pin or the group.

When all is said and done - Great Job Microsoft on Windows 11. It looks amazing.
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