Clean Side Aero-Inspired Start Menu Style

Clean Side Aero-Inspired Start Menu Style for Windows 11

Clean Side Aero-Inspired Start Menu Style for Windows 11 is a Windhawk customization designed for users who want a cleaner, more organized Start Menu with a classic Aero-inspired visual direction. The style combines a compact side-by-side layout, rounded panels, subtle glass-like surfaces, and a dark acrylic background to create a polished desktop appearance.

This design is especially suitable for users who enjoy Windows personalization without replacing the normal Start Menu experience. It keeps familiar Start Menu functions available while changing the visual layout, spacing, backgrounds, borders, hover states, and overall presentation through Windhawk Start Menu Styler.

What Is This Windhawk Style?

Clean Side Aero-Inspired Start Menu Style is a visual configuration for the Windows 11 Start Menu. It is intended to be used with Windhawk and the compatible Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod.

The configuration uses a side-by-side Start Menu layout where different sections are arranged more clearly across the menu. It also applies a dark acrylic-style background, rounded outer corners, card-style app surfaces, custom hover and pressed states, and cleaner spacing throughout the interface.

This style does not replace Windows or install a separate Start Menu application. It changes supported UI properties through Windhawk, so the normal Start Menu remains the underlying Windows component.

Design Overview

The main visual direction of this style is a combination of clean side layout and Aero-inspired desktop aesthetics. The configuration uses a 600-pixel-wide and 650-pixel-high Start Menu layout with a 24-pixel outer corner radius, helping the menu feel spacious without becoming unnecessarily large.

The main background uses a deep #141a28 acrylic tone, while app cards and interactive areas use layered gradients, soft borders, and stronger accent borders for hover and pressed states. This gives the Start Menu a more dimensional appearance while keeping text and icons readable.

The style also reorganizes the side-by-side pinned area, adjusts the search box, refines the navigation pane, applies rounded app and button surfaces, and hides several unnecessary suggestion or companion elements. The result is a cleaner Start Menu that works well with Aero-inspired wallpapers, dark desktop themes, transparent taskbars, and matching Windows customization setups.

Compatibility

This style is designed for Windows 11 and depends on the UI elements supported by the Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod. Because Microsoft can change Start Menu components through Windows updates, some selectors or visual properties may behave differently on different Windows builds.

Before applying the configuration, update Windhawk and the Start Menu Styler mod to versions that support your current Windows build. If a section looks different after a Windows update, check the mod page for compatibility information or updated styling guidance.

It is recommended to keep a copy of your current Windhawk configuration before replacing it with a new style. This makes it easy to restore your previous setup if you want to switch themes or troubleshoot a compatibility issue.

Windhawk

Clean side-by-side Start Menu layout
Aero-inspired Windows desktop appearance
Dark #141a28 acrylic-style main background
Rounded 24px outer Start Menu corners
Rounded card-style app and navigation elements
Custom hover and pressed visual states
Refined search box and navigation area
Organized pinned apps and app-list sections
Reduced suggestion and companion clutter
Works well with dark, glass, and Aero-inspired desktop setups

Windows 11: Designed for supported Windows 11 Start Menu builds
Windhawk: Required
Windows 11 Start Menu Styler: Required
Windows updates may require updated selectors or mod versions
Always test after major Windows feature updates

Download and install Windhawk
Open Windhawk and install the Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod
Open the Start Menu Styler mod and go to the Advanced tab
Back up your current configuration if you already use another Start Menu style
Copy the configuration code provided below
Paste it into the appropriate Mod settings configuration area
Click Save to apply the style
If the appearance does not refresh immediately, restart the Start Menu or Windows Explorer
For additional styling information, visit the Windows 11 Start Menu Styling Guide

{
  "controlStyles[0].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsListHeader",
  "controlStyles[0].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[1].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#NoTopLevelSuggestionsText",
  "controlStyles[1].styles[0]": "Height=0",
  "controlStyles[2].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsContainer",
  "controlStyles[2].styles[0]": "Height=0",
  "controlStyles[3].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#ShowMoreSuggestions",
  "controlStyles[3].styles[0]": "RenderTransform:=<TranslateTransform Y=\"-560\" X=\"-120\" />",
  "controlStyles[4].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList",
  "controlStyles[4].styles[0]": "Height=293",
  "controlStyles[4].styles[1]": "RenderTransform:=<TranslateTransform Y=\"-10\" X=\"195\" />",
  "controlStyles[5].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#ShowMoreSuggestions > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Button > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.ContentPresenter > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.StackPanel > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock",
  "controlStyles[5].styles[0]": "Text=Recommended",
  "controlStyles[6].target": "StartDocked.StartSizingFrame",
  "controlStyles[6].styles[0]": "MaxHeight=650",
  "controlStyles[6].styles[1]": "MaxWidth=580",
  "controlStyles[6].styles[2]": "MinWidth=580",
  "controlStyles[6].styles[3]": "Width=580",
  "controlStyles[7].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#UndockedRoot",
  "controlStyles[7].styles[0]": "HorizontalAlignment=Left",
  "controlStyles[7].styles[1]": "Margin=0,0,0,0",
  "controlStyles[7].styles[2]": "Width=640",
  "controlStyles[8].target": "Border#AcrylicOverlay ",
  "controlStyles[8].styles[0]": "HorizontalAlignment=Right",
  "controlStyles[8].styles[1]": "Margin=0,0,0,-65",
  "controlStyles[8].styles[2]": "Width=125",
  "controlStyles[9].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[0]": "Height=450",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[1]": "Margin=-170,40,0,0",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[2]": "MaxWidth=405",
  "controlStyles[10].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneView",
  "controlStyles[10].styles[0]": "Height=180",
  "controlStyles[10].styles[1]": "Margin=0,-750,0,0",
  "controlStyles[10].styles[2]": "Transform3D:=<CompositeTransform3D TranslateX=\"215\" RotationZ=\"270\" />",
  "controlStyles[10].styles[3]": "VerticalAlignment=1",
  "controlStyles[11].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.ItemsStackPanel > StartDocked.AppListViewItem",
  "controlStyles[11].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=0",
  "controlStyles[11].styles[1]": "Height=180",
  "controlStyles[12].target": "StartDocked.AppListViewItem > Grid#ContentBorder > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.ContentPresenter#ContentPresenter ",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[0]": "VerticalAlignment=2",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[1]": "Width=105",
  "controlStyles[13].target": "StartDocked.AppListViewItem > Grid#ContentBorder > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.ContentPresenter#ContentPresenter > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.FontIcon",
  "controlStyles[13].styles[0]": "Margin=20,0,-45,0",
  "controlStyles[13].styles[1]": "Transform3D:=<CompositeTransform3D TranslateX=\"-13\" RotationZ=\"90\" />",
  "controlStyles[13].styles[2]": "Width=125",
  "controlStyles[14].target": "StartDocked.AppListViewItem > Grid#ContentBorder > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.ContentPresenter#ContentPresenter > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.FontIcon > Grid > TextBlock",
  "controlStyles[14].styles[0]": "FontFamily=Segoe UI, Segoe Fluent Icons",
  "controlStyles[14].styles[1]": "FontSize=13",
  "controlStyles[14].styles[2]": "HorizontalAlignment=Left",
  "controlStyles[15].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneView > Grid#RootPanel",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=1",
  "controlStyles[16].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton#PowerButton",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[0]": "Width=150",
  "controlStyles[17].target": "StartDocked.PowerOptionsView",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[0]": "Margin=-300,0,0,-910",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[1]": "Transform3D:=<CompositeTransform3D TranslateX=\"-100\" TranslateY=\"-500\" RotationZ=\"-90\" />",
  "controlStyles[18].target": "TextBlock#UserTileNameText",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[19].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[19].styles[0]": "FontFamily=Segoe UI, Segoe Fluent Icons",
  "controlStyles[19].styles[1]": "Text= Power",
  "controlStyles[20].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[20].styles[0]": "Text= Documents",
  "controlStyles[21].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[21].styles[0]": "Text= Download",
  "controlStyles[22].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[22].styles[0]": "Text= Music",
  "controlStyles[23].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[23].styles[0]": "Text= Picture",
  "controlStyles[24].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[24].styles[0]": "Text= Video",
  "controlStyles[25].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[25].styles[0]": "Text= Network",
  "controlStyles[26].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#MoreSuggestionsRoot",
  "controlStyles[26].styles[0]": "Margin=30,0,220,0",
  "controlStyles[27].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[27].styles[0]": "Text= File Explorer",
  "controlStyles[28].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#AllAppsRoot",
  "controlStyles[28].styles[0]": "Margin=190,0,70,0",
  "controlStyles[29].target": "Button#ShowAllAppsButton > ContentPresenter#ContentPresenter@CommonStates",
  "controlStyles[29].styles[0]": "RenderTransform:=<TranslateTransform Y=\"-6\" X=\"-30\" />",
  "controlStyles[30].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton#PowerButton > Grid > Border#BackgroundBorder",
  "controlStyles[30].styles[0]": "Background:=#46c9d8ed",
  "controlStyles[31].target": "StartDocked.UserTileView#UserTile",
  "controlStyles[31].styles[0]": "Transform3D:=<CompositeTransform3D TranslateX=\"420\" TranslateY=\"100\" RotationZ=\"270\" />",
  "controlStyles[31].styles[1]": "Margin=300,-200,-300,0",
  "controlStyles[32].target": "Border#AcrylicBorder",
  "controlStyles[32].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".45\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[32].styles[1]": "BorderBrush:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".0\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[32].styles[2]": "BorderThickness=1",
  "controlStyles[32].styles[3]": "CornerRadius=10",
  "controlStyles[32].styles[4]": "Margin=0",
  "controlStyles[33].target": "StartDocked.SearchBoxToggleButton ",
  "controlStyles[33].styles[0]": "Height=35",
  "controlStyles[33].styles[1]": "Margin=175,-20,0,20",
  "controlStyles[33].styles[2]": "Width=300",
  "controlStyles[34].target": "StartDocked.SearchBoxToggleButton > Grid > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Border",
  "controlStyles[34].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\".3\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".5\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[34].styles[1]": "CornerRadius=5",
  "controlStyles[35].target": "Border#AcrylicOverlay",
  "controlStyles[35].styles[0]": "Background:= <AcrylicBrush BackgroundSource=\"Backdrop\" TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemChromeAltHighColor}\" TintOpacity=\".2\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".2\" />",
  "controlStyles[35].styles[1]": "CornerRadius=5",
  "controlStyles[35].styles[2]": "Margin=-105,0,0,-65",
  "controlStyles[35].styles[3]": "RenderTransform:=<TranslateTransform Y=\"0\" X=\"-405\" />",
  "controlStyles[35].styles[4]": "Width=245",
  "controlStyles[36].target": "Border#ContentBorder@CommonStates > Grid#DroppedFlickerWorkaroundWrapper > Border",
  "controlStyles[36].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=5",
  "controlStyles[36].styles[1]": "FocusVisualPrimaryBrush:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#b3cefd\" Opacity=\".10\"/>",
  "controlStyles[36].styles[2]": "Height=80",
  "controlStyles[36].styles[3]": "Width=92",
  "controlStyles[37].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Border#ContentBorder@CommonStates > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#DroppedFlickerWorkaroundWrapper > Border#BackgroundBorder",
  "controlStyles[38].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton#UserTileButton > Grid@CommonStates > Border",
  "controlStyles[38].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=5",
  "controlStyles[38].styles[1]": "Height=40",
  "controlStyles[38].styles[2]": "Margin=-0,0,0,0",
  "controlStyles[38].styles[3]": "Width=40",
  "controlStyles[39].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[39].styles[0]": "Text= Settings",
  "controlStyles[40].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]",
  "controlStyles[40].styles[0]": "Text= User Folder",
  "controlStyles[41].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock#PinnedListHeaderText",
  "controlStyles[41].styles[0]": "Margin=210,-10,0,0",
  "controlStyles[42].target": "StartDocked.LauncherFrame > Grid#RootGrid > Grid#RootContent > Grid#MainContent > Grid#InnerContent > Rectangle",
  "controlStyles[42].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[43].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#MoreSuggestionsRoot",
  "controlStyles[43].styles[0]": "Margin=240,0,80,0",
  "controlStyles[44].target": "Grid#UserTileIcon",
  "controlStyles[44].styles[0]": "Width=60",
  "controlStyles[44].styles[1]": "Height=60",
  "controlStyles[45].target": "StartDocked.UserTileView#UserTile",
  "controlStyles[45].styles[0]": "Height=60",
 "controlStyles[46].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Shapes.Rectangle",
  "controlStyles[46].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "disableNewStartMenuLayout": "legacyClassicLayout"
}

For Windows 25H2

{
  "theme": "",
  "controlStyles[0].target": "Grid#MainMenu",
  "controlStyles[0].styles[0]": "Width=640",
  "controlStyles[0].styles[1]": "MaxWidth=640",
  "controlStyles[0].styles[2]": "MinWidth=640",
  "controlStyles[1].target": "Grid#FrameRoot",
  "controlStyles[1].styles[0]": "Height=650",
  "controlStyles[1].styles[1]": "MaxHeight=650",
  "controlStyles[2].target": "Grid#SideBySidePinnedWrapper",
  "controlStyles[2].styles[0]": "ColumnDefinitions:=<ColumnDefinitionCollection><ColumnDefinition Width=\"245*\"/><ColumnDefinition Width=\"395*\"/></ColumnDefinitionCollection>",
  "controlStyles[3].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid > Border > Grid#SideBySidePinnedWrapper > ScrollViewer#ScrollViewer",
  "controlStyles[3].styles[0]": "Grid.Column=0",
  "controlStyles[4].target": "ScrollViewer#SideBySidePinnedScrollViewer",
  "controlStyles[4].styles[0]": "Grid.Column=1",
  "controlStyles[4].styles[1]": "Margin=0",
  "controlStyles[5].target": "Grid#SideBySidePinnedWrapper > ScrollViewer > Border#Root > Grid > ScrollContentPresenter > ItemsPresenter > ItemsWrapGrid",
  "controlStyles[5].styles[0]": "Margin=18,0,18,14",
  "controlStyles[6].target": "Grid#AllListHeading > TextBlock#AllListHeadingText",
  "controlStyles[6].styles[0]": "Margin=22,6,8,7",
  "controlStyles[7].target": "Grid#AllListHeading > Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.DropDownButton#ViewSelectionButton",
  "controlStyles[7].styles[0]": "Margin=0,0,15,0",
  "controlStyles[8].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid",
  "controlStyles[8].styles[0]": "Margin=0,4,0,62",
  "controlStyles[9].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[0]": "Height=450",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[1]": "MaxHeight=450",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[2]": "MaxWidth=395",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[3]": "Margin=0,18,0,0",
  "controlStyles[10].target": "TextBlock#PinnedListHeaderText",
  "controlStyles[10].styles[0]": "Margin=22,5,0,0",
  "controlStyles[11].target": "Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsListHeader",
  "controlStyles[11].styles[0]": "Height=0",
  "controlStyles[11].styles[1]": "Visibility=>showMoreSuggestionsVisible",
  "controlStyles[12].target": "Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsRoot",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[0]": "Grid.Row=0",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[1]": "MaxHeight=54",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[2]": "RenderTransform:=<TranslateTransform Y=\"10\"/>",
  "controlStyles[13].target": "Grid#ShowMoreSuggestions",
  "controlStyles[13].styles[0]": "Visibility={{showMoreSuggestionsVisible}}",
  "controlStyles[13].styles[1]": "Margin=0",
  "controlStyles[14].target": "Button#ShowMoreSuggestionsButton > Grid > ContentPresenter > StackPanel > TextBlock",
  "controlStyles[14].styles[0]": "Text=Recommended",
  "controlStyles[15].target": "StartMenu.SearchBoxToggleButton#SearchBoxToggleButton",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[0]": "Width=300",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[1]": "Height=35",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[2]": "HorizontalAlignment=Right",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[3]": "Margin=0,0,38,14",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[4]": "Canvas.ZIndex=10",
  "controlStyles[16].target": "StartMenu.SearchBoxToggleButton#SearchBoxToggleButton > Grid > Border#BorderElement",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\".3\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".5\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[1]": "CornerRadius=5",
  "controlStyles[17].target": "Border#AcrylicBorder",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".45\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[1]": "BorderBrush:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\"0\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[2]": "BorderThickness=1",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[3]": "CornerRadius=10",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[4]": "Margin=0",
  "controlStyles[18].target": "Border#AcrylicOverlay",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush BackgroundSource=\"Backdrop\" TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemChromeAltHighColor}\" TintOpacity=\".2\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".2\"/>",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[1]": "CornerRadius=10",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[2]": "Margin=0",
  "controlStyles[19].target": "Border#DropShadow",
  "controlStyles[19].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=10",
  "controlStyles[19].styles[1]": "Margin=0",
  "controlStyles[20].target": "Border#StartDropShadow",
  "controlStyles[20].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=10",
  "controlStyles[21].target": "Grid#NavPanePlaceholder",
  "controlStyles[21].styles[0]": "Margin=14,0,14,0",
  "controlStyles[22].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneView#UserControl > Grid#RootPanel",
  "controlStyles[22].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=1",
  "controlStyles[23].target": "StartDocked.PowerOptionsView#PowerButton",
  "controlStyles[23].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=0",
  "controlStyles[24].target": "ItemsStackPanel > ListViewItem",
  "controlStyles[24].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=0",
  "controlStyles[25].target": "TextBlock#UserTileNameText",
  "controlStyles[25].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[26].target": "Grid#UserTileIcon",
  "controlStyles[26].styles[0]": "Width=42",
  "controlStyles[26].styles[1]": "Height=42",
  "controlStyles[27].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton#PowerButton > Grid@CommonStates > Border",
  "controlStyles[27].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\"1\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[27].styles[1]": "BorderBrush@Normal:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" TintOpacity=\".4\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".2\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[27].styles[2]": "CornerRadius=30",
  "controlStyles[27].styles[3]": "BorderThickness=2",
  "controlStyles[27].styles[4]": "BorderBrush@PointerOver:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemAccentColor}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemAccentColor}\" TintOpacity=\".8\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".55\" Opacity=\".6\"/>",
  "controlStyles[28].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList Border#ContentBorder@CommonStates > Grid#DroppedFlickerWorkaroundWrapper > Border",
  "controlStyles[28].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=5",
  "controlStyles[28].styles[1]": "FocusVisualPrimaryBrush:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#b3cefd\" Opacity=\".10\"/>",
  "controlStyles[28].styles[2]": "Height=80",
  "controlStyles[28].styles[3]": "Width=92",
  "controlStyles[29].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList Border#ContentBorder@CommonStates > Grid#DroppedFlickerWorkaroundWrapper > Border#BackgroundBorder",
  "controlStyles[29].styles[0]": "Background@Normal:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".45\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[29].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".30\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[30].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Primitives.ToggleButton#ShowHideCompanion",
  "controlStyles[30].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[31].target": "Grid#CompanionRoot",
  "controlStyles[31].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "disableNewStartMenuLayout": "newLayoutSideBySide"
}

⚠️ Disclaimer: The Windhawk customization code shared in this post is provided only for Windows UI personalization and educational purposes. It is unofficial and is not developed, endorsed, or supported by Microsoft. Compatibility can vary depending on your Windows version, Windhawk version, installed mods, and system configuration. Keep a backup of your original settings before applying changes.

Final Thoughts

Clean Side Aero-Inspired Start Menu Style for Windows 11 is a good option for users who prefer a more structured Start Menu with classic glass-inspired visual details. Its side-by-side organization, dark acrylic background, rounded cards, and refined interaction states give the Start Menu a distinct look without replacing its normal Windows functionality.

The design works particularly well with Aero-inspired wallpapers, transparent or glass taskbars, matching icon packs, and dark desktop setups. You can also adjust the colors, menu size, corner radius, card backgrounds, and border styles in the configuration to better match your own desktop theme.

For the most reliable experience, keep Windhawk and the Start Menu Styler mod updated, avoid combining multiple conflicting Start Menu configurations, and save your previous settings before testing a new design.

FAQs

Do I need Windhawk for this Start Menu style?

Yes. This configuration is designed to be applied through Windhawk with a compatible Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod.

Does this replace the Windows 11 Start Menu?

No. The style changes supported visual properties of the existing Windows Start Menu. It does not install a separate Start Menu replacement application.

Why does the style look different on my PC?

The appearance can vary depending on your Windows build, display scaling, theme settings, Windhawk version, Start Menu Styler version, and other active customization mods.

Can Windows updates affect this style?

Yes. Windows updates can change Start Menu UI elements. If the style stops working correctly, update Windhawk and the Start Menu Styler mod and check whether the configuration needs updated selectors.

Can I change the background color?

Yes. The configuration includes style constants for the main menu background, card surfaces, borders, and text. You can edit those values to create a different color variation.

How do I return to the default Start Menu?

Disable the Start Menu Styler mod or restore your previous mod configuration. Keeping a backup before applying the style makes this process easier.

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