Microsoft’s Windows 10 Insider build 10547 brought a host of changes to the operating system. Some of the new changes were small and others, well, just as small but more refined. Since parts of Windows 10 is being pulled apart and put into app-style development instead, a lot of the newer features that would normally land in future updates is being farmed out to Store updates.
However, one feature that cannot be pawned off on a Windows Store app update is the arguably controversial Start Menu. For better or for worse, the development of this feature lands squarely on the shoulders of the Windows team. After announcing the return of the Start Menu, the Windows team has had its hands full keeping its utilitarian presence while combining some updated aesthetics and Microsoft’s visionary theme. Needless to say, it’s been a work in progress.
In Windows 10 Insider build 10547, Insiders are greeted with yet another refinement to the Start Menu. A new settings options in the personalization menu now gives users the option to ‘Show more tiles’. Once toggled, the columns of tiles fitted to the Start Menu expands. The new Start Menu goes from housing three medium sized tiles to now allowing up to four medium sized tiles next to each other or two large tiles side by side.
The new settings harkens back to the Windows 10 Mobile preview for some with hi-res screen devices such as the Lumia 1520 or 930. A few builds back, Microsoft enabled the ‘Show More Tiles’ feature on phones with higher resolution screens.
In and of itself, it’s perhaps one of the least impressive new features of the new build, but many Insiders should find it useful. According to the Windows team, it was a setting many had clamored for.
The default for tile groups on Start is to have 3 columns of medium sized tiles, but we heard feedback from many Insiders who wanted the ability to have a 4th column as well, so they could have two wide or large sized tiles side by side in a group.
For those interested, here the steps to getting your new Start Menu layout:
- Join the Windows Insider preview
- Accept Fast Ring Settings
- Download the latest build of Windows 10 Insider (build 10547)
- Wait…..for a really long time, until the download and install, is complete
- Head to your current Start Menu
- Select Settings
- Choose Personalization
- Select Start
- Toggle ‘Show More Tiles’
- Enjoy customizing your new Start Menu layout!
As newer builds continue to pour out from the Windows team, we’re getting a much clearer picture of how Window 10 and Window 10 Mobile share and benefit from a single development standpoint. Hopefully, Microsoft will have even more to show in a few weeks at its October 6th hardware reveal.
