As a Windows 10 user, you may find the Start menu to be one of the most useful features of the operating system. However, did you know that you can also hack and customize the Windows 10 Start menu to fit your specific needs? In this article, we will explore several ways to do just that.

1. Change the size and color of the Start menu:

To change the size of the Start menu, go to Settings > Personalization > Start, and choose the size you want. You can choose from Small, Medium, or Large. Additionally, you can choose to show more tiles on the Start menu. To change the color of the Start menu, go to Settings > Personalization > Colors.

2. Pin frequently used apps to the Start menu:

To pin frequently used apps to the Start menu, simply right-click on the app you want to pin and select Pin to Start. If the app is not in the Start menu, you can search for it in the search bar, and pin it from there.

3. Customize the Start menu layout:

To customize the layout of the Start menu, click on Start > Tiles. From here, you can turn on/off several options, such as Show App list in Start menu, Show recently added apps, Show most used apps, and more. Additionally, you can drag and drop apps to change their position in the Start menu.

4. Add folders to the Start menu:

To add folders to the Start menu, simply drag and drop them into the Start menu. Alternatively, you can right-click on the folder you want to add, and select Pin to Start.

5. Create custom shortcuts on the Start menu:

To create custom shortcuts on the Start menu, right-click on the Desktop and select New > Shortcut. In the location field, type the path to the file or website you want to create a shortcut for, and click Next. Give the shortcut a name and click Finish. You can then drag and drop the shortcut to the Start menu.

6. Use third-party Start menu apps:

If you are not satisfied with the default Start menu, you can try using third-party apps, such as StartIsBack, Classic Shell, and Start10. These apps allow you to customize the Start menu in ways that are not possible with the default options.

In conclusion, the Windows 10 Start menu is a powerful tool that can be customized to fit your specific needs. Whether you want to change the size and color of the Start menu, pin frequently used apps, or create custom shortcuts, there are numerous ways to enhance your experience. So, why not give it a try and see how you can improve your productivity with a custom Start menu?