Microsoft removed a registry hack in the latest preview build that allowed Windows 11 users to revert to the "Classic" Windows 10 Start Menu.
When the Windows 11 preview build was leaked in June, one of the most significant and most controversial changes was a new floating Start Menu centered in the middle of the Taskbar.
This new Start Menu was taken from the now-shelved Windows 10X and includes a redesigned interface with the removal of app groups and Live Tiles.
For those who did not like the new Start Menu, it was possible to use a Registry hack to revert to a "Classic Mode," the Windows 10 Start Menu.
To switch to the Windows 10 Start Menu, users could create the 'Start_ShowClassicMode' value and set it to 1 under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced registry key.
Once you created the registry value and restarted the Windows Explorer process, the old Start Menu would be available again, as shown below.
On Thursday, Microsoft released Windows 11 build 22000.65 to Insiders on the 'Dev' channel. Unfortunately, after installing the new cumulative update, users could no longer use the Registry hack to bring back the old Start Menu.
@JenMsft I've noticed that with 22000.65 the option to bring back the old start menu (Start_ShowClassicMode) doesn't work anymore. Is there any minor chance at all that you guys revert that change so people who REALLY want it back, can use it?
— Tourniquet (@wenti_man) July 8, 2021
BleepingComputer has also independently confirmed that the Registry hack no longer works, but it is unclear whether Microsoft will enable it again in the future.
BleepingComputer has reached out to Microsoft to learn more about this change but has not heard back at this time.
Thx to Jacob for the tip.
Comments
cold iron - 2 years ago
Seems Microsoft may be getting into making of selling computers.
SamP12345 - 2 years ago
Are the tiles in the Windows 10 menu rounded? From the photo it looks like it, but why would it be?
Or do I need stronger glasses?
Knight_of_BAAWA - 2 years ago
All I care about is if OpenShell/etc will work. If not: no thanks. I hate the mac dock; I don't want it in Windows.
saluqi - 2 years ago
This, if it persists, would greatly reduce my interest in Windows 11. Too bad. I don't want the reduced efficiency of having to search in two dimensions instead of one (a linear menu system). If I want to play Whack-a-Mole there are plenty of versions about; I use my computer for work and it's nice to have a linear predictable hierarchical system where you can actually find things by knowing where to look, without having to search in two dimensions.
NickAu - 2 years ago
It doesn't matter what you or I want, Microsoft decides what you do or do not want and get. And stunts like this just confirm it.
Winston2021 - 2 years ago
Agree completely. They're pulling a Win 8 move all over again and will get similar customer resistance. After all, what is such a big deal about allowing users the start menu they WANT?
NickAu - 2 years ago
Winston
See that's the great thing about Linux, don't like how your desktop looks? Change it. Don't like the icons that come with the new desktop? Change them. These things are quite literally cosmetic and in no way affect how the operating system functions, I have actually heard arguments that Linux gives you too much choice.
With Linux if you do not like anything on offer you can roll your own distribution if you have the skills, Imagine doing that with Windows.
redwolfe_98 - 2 years ago
it's not nearly as bad as windows 8. it still has a "start menu." it's just that the GUI is different. the new GUI reminds me of some ubuntu-GUI's that i have seen, in the past. i think that is the whole idea of what microsoft has been trying to do, to make windows into an imitation of a cross between ubuntu and an iphone.
h_b_s - 2 years ago
Nah. It's more like they're copying Chrome OS which in turn copies quite a bit of MacOS. Frankly, as of right now there's no compelling reason to use Win 11 because the only user facing changes is the UI. If you don't like the 11 UI, who cares about the rest of it? That's Microsoft's apparent stance it seems, too. Don't like it? Well, 10 is supported till '25, don't bother us kid.
Citadel - 2 years ago
My guess is that the hack was left there accidentally so that they could QA. But there again, we all work for Microsoft in continuous QA anyways so they could have left it. :)
RRayman - 2 years ago
nice to see we are nearly back to Win3.1 Programmanager