Minimal Start Menu Style For Windows 11 Using Windhawk

Minimal Start Menu Style for Windows 11

The Minimal Start Menu Style for Windows 11 gives the Start Menu a lighter, cleaner appearance with a frosted glass look and a more focused app-list layout. Instead of using the default mixed presentation, the design centers attention on a translucent panel with a simple apps list, a compact footer area, and a softer overall visual style.

The layout keeps the original Windows 11 Start Menu underneath and changes supported properties through Windhawk. The result feels cleaner and more open, especially when paired with bright wallpapers, pastel backgrounds, or other light desktop setups.

Design Overview

The style uses a light translucent panel with rounded corners and a soft glass effect. The main section is centered on the screen and focuses on the app list rather than a busy pinned-area layout. A compact title area at the top and a clean row of controls at the bottom help the menu feel more balanced.

The overall look works particularly well with colorful or airy wallpapers. The frosted surface allows the background to influence the visual mood without making the menu difficult to read. The end result is minimal, but not plain.

What This Style Changes

Cleaner Start Menu width and spacing
Light frosted-glass visual treatment
Centered app-list-focused layout
Rounded corners and softer surfaces
Simplified footer area with compact controls
Reduced visual clutter compared to a busier default layout
Applied through Windows 11 Start Menu Styler in Windhawk

Requirements

Windows 11
Windhawk
Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod
A backup of your current Start Menu Styler configuration before replacing it

Compatibility

This configuration is intended for Windows 11 and was last tested on Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.9457. Earlier versions such as 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2 may still work, but interface behavior can vary between Windows builds and after major updates.

Because Start Menu elements can change over time, it is a good idea to keep a copy of your current settings before applying a new layout. If something does not look correct after an update, check whether Windhawk and Start Menu Styler are fully updated.

Download Windhawk to Use the Style

Windhawk

How to Install

Download and install Windhawk.
Open Windhawk and install the Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod.
Open the mod settings and go to the Advanced tab.
Back up your existing Start Menu Styler configuration.
Copy the complete JSON configuration provided below.
Paste it into the appropriate configuration field.
Click Save to apply the style.

Important: The configuration below is in JSON format. Apply it through the Advanced settings rather than a YAML or Textual-mode workflow.

Minimal Start Menu Style Configuration

{
  "theme": "",
  "disableNewStartMenuLayout": "forceNewLayout",
  "controlStyles[0].target": "Grid#MainMenu",
  "controlStyles[0].styles[0]": "Width=460",
  "controlStyles[0].styles[1]": "MinWidth=460",
  "controlStyles[0].styles[2]": "MaxWidth=460",
  "controlStyles[1].target": "StartMenu.StartBlendedFlexFrame > Grid#FrameRoot",
  "controlStyles[1].styles[0]": "MaxHeight=740",
  "controlStyles[2].target": "StartMenu.SearchBoxToggleButton",
  "controlStyles[2].styles[0]": "Height=0",
  "controlStyles[2].styles[1]": "MinHeight=0",
  "controlStyles[2].styles[2]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[3].target": "Frame#StartFrame",
  "controlStyles[3].styles[0]": "Margin=0,-64,0,0",
  "controlStyles[4].target": "Border#AcrylicBorder",
  "controlStyles[4].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush BackgroundSource=\"Backdrop\" TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".60\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[4].styles[1]": "BorderBrush:=<AcrylicBrush BackgroundSource=\"Backdrop\" TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".25\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[4].styles[2]": "BorderThickness=1",
  "controlStyles[5].target": "Border#AcrylicOverlay",
  "controlStyles[5].styles[0]": "Background=Transparent",
  "controlStyles[5].styles[1]": "BorderBrush=Transparent",
  "controlStyles[6].target": "Border#AppBorder",
  "controlStyles[6].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush BackgroundSource=\"Backdrop\" TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".85\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[6].styles[1]": "BorderBrush:=<AcrylicBrush BackgroundSource=\"Backdrop\" TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".25\" Opacity=\"1\"/>",
  "controlStyles[7].target": "Border#LayerBorder",
  "controlStyles[7].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[8].target": "Grid#PinnedListHeaderGrid",
  "controlStyles[8].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[9].target": "Grid#ShowMorePinnedGrid",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[10].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList",
  "controlStyles[10].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[10].styles[1]": "MinHeight=0",
  "controlStyles[10].styles[2]": "Height=0",
  "controlStyles[11].target": "Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsRoot",
  "controlStyles[11].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[12].target": "Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsListHeader",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[13].target": "Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsContainer",
  "controlStyles[13].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[14].target": "Grid#NoTopLevelSuggestionsText",
  "controlStyles[14].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[15].target": "Grid#ShowMoreSuggestions",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[16].target": "Grid#AllListHeading",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[0]": "Visibility=Visible",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[1]": "Margin=0,16,0,8",
  "controlStyles[17].target": "Grid#AllListHeading > TextBlock#AllListHeadingText",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[0]": "Text=Windows Apps",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[1]": "Margin=50,8,12,8",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[2]": "VerticalAlignment=Center",
  "controlStyles[18].target": "Grid#AllListHeading > Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.DropDownButton#ViewSelectionButton",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[0]": "Margin=0,4,24,4",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[1]": "Height=32",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[2]": "MinWidth=0",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[3]": "FontSize=12",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[4]": "CornerRadius=8",
  "controlStyles[19].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid > Border > ScrollViewer#ScrollViewer",
  "controlStyles[19].styles[0]": "HorizontalScrollMode=Disabled",
  "controlStyles[19].styles[1]": "HorizontalScrollBarVisibility=Disabled",
  "controlStyles[19].styles[2]": "VerticalScrollMode=Enabled",
  "controlStyles[19].styles[3]": "VerticalScrollBarVisibility=Auto",
  "controlStyles[20].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid > Border > ScrollViewer#ScrollViewer > Border#Root > Grid > ScrollContentPresenter#ScrollContentPresenter > ItemsPresenter > ItemsWrapGrid",
  "controlStyles[20].styles[0]": "Margin=48,0,32,16",
  "controlStyles[20].styles[1]": "MaximumRowsOrColumns=1",
  "controlStyles[20].styles[2]": "Orientation=Horizontal",
  "controlStyles[21].target": "Grid#NavPanePlaceholder",
  "controlStyles[21].styles[0]": "Margin=24,0,24,0",
  "controlStyles[22].target": "TextBlock#UserTileNameText",
  "controlStyles[22].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[23].target": "StartDocked.UserTileView > StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton > Grid > Border",
  "controlStyles[23].styles[0]": "Margin=8,0,8,0",
  "controlStyles[24].target": "StartDocked.PowerOptionsView",
  "controlStyles[24].styles[0]": "Margin=-10,0,0,0",
  "controlStyles[25].target": "StartDocked.PowerOptionsView > StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton > Grid > Border",
  "controlStyles[25].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=10",
  "controlStyles[26].target": "StartMenu.StartMenuCompanion#RightCompanion",
  "controlStyles[26].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[27].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Primitives.ToggleButton#ShowHideCompanion",
  "controlStyles[27].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed"
}

How to Remove the Style

Open Windhawk and locate the Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod.
Disable the mod if you want to return to the default Windows 11 Start Menu.
If you prefer to keep the mod installed, restore your previous configuration instead.
Close and reopen the Start Menu if the change does not refresh immediately.

Disclaimer: This Start Menu style is an unofficial Windows customization provided for personalization purposes. It is not developed, endorsed, or supported by Microsoft. Compatibility may vary depending on your Windows build, Windhawk version, Start Menu Styler version, installed mods, display settings, and system configuration. Keep a backup of your existing settings before applying changes.

Final Thoughts

Minimal Start Menu Style for Windows 11 is a good fit for users who want a lighter and cleaner Start Menu without replacing the original Windows component. The frosted glass look, centered panel, simplified app list, and compact footer controls create a calm layout that feels more refined than the default presentation.

If you want the design to feel closer to the screenshot style, pair it with a light wallpaper, a simple taskbar setup, and a clean desktop background. Keeping the rest of the desktop uncluttered usually helps this kind of Start Menu style look its best.