Don’t like the default size of the Windows 10 Start menu? This is a complete guide to easily resize the height and width of the Windows 10 Start menu to make it smaller or larger.
Microsoft has introduced plenty of new features in Windows 10. No doubt, the all-new Start menu is one of the main attractions of Windows 10 and enabled by default on traditional laptops and desktops that don’t support touch input.
The full-screen version of the Start menu, popularly known as the Start screen, is enabled by default on devices that support touch input. One can always quickly switch between the Start menu and Start screen by toggling the tablet mode.
While users upgraded from Windows 8.1 will surely appreciate the default look of the Start menu, users upgraded from Windows 7 might not like the default size of the Start menu in Windows 10, and might want to make it a little smaller.
Resize the Windows 10 Start menu
Luckily, we can resize the Start menu to make it smaller or larger without the help of third-party tools.
In order to resize the Start menu, just place the mouse pointer at the top or right edge of the Start menu (see the picture below) to reveal a double-sided arrow, click, and then drag inwards or outwards. The default width of the Start menu can’t be changed by simply dragging the right-edge but, there is a workaround for it.
To reduce the height of the Start menu
For instance, to reduce the default height of the Start menu, hover the mouse cursor over the top-edge of the Start menu to see a double-sided arrow, click, and then drag it towards the bottom of the screen.
To reduce the width of the Start menu
And if you are not happy with default width of the Start menu and want to get rid of the columns on the right-side of the Start to make the Start menu look like the classic Start menu present in Windows XP and Vista, you need to first unpin all tiles from the right-side of the Start, and then drag the edge of the Start menu to the left.
To unpin a tile, click on it and then click Unpin from Start option. Once all tiles are removed, move the mouse cursor at the right edge of the Start menu (you should now get double-sided arrow) and then drag it towards the left of your screen.
And if you really want the Windows 7 style Start menu, get the free Classic Shell or the paid StartIsBack++.
I hope this helps!
Lola Curtice says
when I try to print a page ,I only get a half page from left to right,I can’t get the arrows to work as my screen is full size,so my message only prints the first half of the message,the right side does not print
Praveen says
I prefer Classic Shell over this garbage menu with no customization. Also Classic Shell makes Explorer better by adding a toolbar where you can add all the commands from the Ribbon that you need on a single row and then minimize the Ribbon. Takes less space vertically and no more switching tabs of the Ribbon like a maniac to find the command you need. :)