Shortcuts Grid

Despite the original developers’ valiant efforts to strike a balance between their original artistic vision of what the ideal interface would be and what users desire most from a project as complex as an operating system, customization remains a pivotal part of the overall usage experience.

When it comes to Windows 11, Microsoft rewrote certain desktop elements from the ground up in an attempt to modernize their design and modularize the shell for increased stability. Unfortunately, in doing so, many of the original tweaks that could be applied are no longer present, with one example being the start menu, which prompted many users to create alternatives such as Shortcuts Grid.

By default, users can test a preview of the utility’s functionality by downloading the “Administrative tools” sample program, which summons a suite of Windows’ system-related accessories in a tabular format for users whose workflows depend on previewing performance metrics and handling security policies on a daily basis.

The app groups provided by the program can be customized through the use of user-generated CSV or JSON files where the location of the executable and its icon have to be specified beforehand. With this in mind, one can create their own app drawers for different activities such as programming, gaming or troubleshooting.