Microsoft continues to redesign the Start menu, considered the heart of the Windows operating system. In the upcoming update of Windows 11, a new feature that will excite users is being tested: category-based app grouping.

According to a report by Windows Latest, a hidden “Category” layout appeared in the All Apps section in the latest update of the Windows 11 Beta channel. This new design reminds us of the popular live tiles in older Windows versions.

In the new layout, each category box contains four app icons. These boxes provide quick access to the apps they contain and launch the relevant application when clicked. For now, these boxes contain mostly system and Microsoft applications, but they may offer more customization options in the future.

A striking feature of the design is that each category box also serves as a subcategory box. However, it appears this feature is not fully functional in the current Beta version.

It’s a point of curiosity whether Microsoft plans to add a notification counter, especially for apps like social media and email. This feature was a popular asset of the old live tiles.

The new category layout, together with the existing grid layout, aims to make navigation in the Start menu easier. Compared to the default layout, these designs require less scrolling and aim to improve the user experience.

These new features are expected to be made available with the 24H2 update of Windows 11. The same update might also include a helper panel feature that allows checking statistics without opening applications.

These new design moves by Microsoft are seen as part of the efforts to make Windows 11 more user-friendly and efficient. Users are eagerly awaiting to see the final version of these innovations.