One Cool Tip Newsletter

May 6, 2026

Your daily dose of tech-savvy brilliance!

😀Greetings!, Happy Windows Wednesday, Cool Tipper!

Get ready to streamline your digital life with simple, actionable tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Today's Cool Tip Theme: Windows 11 Start Menu App Views

IN THIS ISSUE

• 🛡️ Security Alert
• 🎮 Xbox Copilot Gaming News
• 🤖 Windows 11 Start AI Prompt
• 📂 Windows Start App Views
• ⌨️ Symbol Shortcut Secret
• 🏷️ Metadata File Mastery
• 🖥️ Desktop Cleanup

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• 😂 Laugh with Us! Enjoy our Tech Joke of the Day, Haiku and Cool Tip Comics.



• 🌐 Stay Informed! Check out ICYMI, and our One Cool Tip Video.

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Today's Tech Trivia

Which version of Windows first introduced the Start menu?

A) Windows 95

B) Windows 98

C) Windows XP

D) Windows 3.1

Answer at the end of this newsletter.

⚠️ New PC Scam Uses Fake Tech Support and Custom Malware⚠️

A new scam is targeting everyday computer users with fake tech support pop‑ups and custom malware disguised as legitimate troubleshooting tools.

The campaign, linked to a group called UNC6692, tricks victims into downloading what looks like a system‑repair utility.

Once installed, it secretly gives attackers remote access to the PC, allowing them to steal passwords, files, and even banking information.

What to Watch For

• Pop‑ups or emails claiming your PC has “critical errors” or “needs immediate repair.”
• Requests to install software or share remote‑access codes.
• Fake Microsoft or Google logos used to appear trustworthy.

What To Do

• Close suspicious pop‑ups immediately, don’t click links or call listed numbers.
• Run a full scan with Microsoft Defender or your trusted antivirus.
• Keep Windows Update and browser security patches current.

And in Other News...

Xbox CEO Confirms No Copilot for Consoles

Microsoft’s gaming chief, Asha Sharma, has officially ruled out bringing Copilot to Xbox consoles, at least for now.

She clarified that Copilot’s AI assistant features will remain focused on Windows PC and productivity experiences, not gaming interfaces.

The statement followed speculation after internal demos showed Copilot appearing in Xbox dashboards.

Why It Matters

• No AI overlay for gaming: Players won’t see Copilot summarizing achievements or suggesting in‑game actions anytime soon.
• Focus stays on PC: Microsoft continues refining Copilot for Windows 11, Office, and Edge, where productivity gains are clearer.
• Future still open: Spencer hinted that AI could enhance Xbox services indirectly, such as cloud management or accessibility tools.

For now, Xbox remains a human‑driven experience, no Copilot commands, and no AI chat in your game library.

Try this Cool AI prompt. Copy and paste to ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot.

“Summarize the differences between Category, Grid, and List views in Windows 11’s new Start menu, and create a short guide for business users explaining which view fits their workflow best.”

Windows 11’s New Start App Views: Find Any App In Two Clicks Or Less

The Windows 11 Start menu just learned a few new tricks that quietly fix years of everyday annoyances. If you have too many apps and not enough patience, the new Start app views might be the most useful change you see all year.

How many times a day do you open the Start menu, stare at a wall of icons, and still not find the app you need? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Check the New Start Menu.

Windows 11’s refreshed Start menu in versions 24H2 and 25H2 tackles that exact problem by turning the old, split layout into a single, smarter app launcher with multiple ways to browse.

Instead of bouncing between Pinned, All apps, and Recommended, you now get one continuous surface with new Category, Grid, and List views for your apps. 

The result feels more like a modern phone launcher: scroll, tap, done.

Feature Explanation

The new Start app views are part of a broader Start menu redesign in Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2.

 Microsoft merged the old Pinned, Recommended, and All apps pages into a single scrollable layout, then upgraded the All apps area with three discovery modes:

• Category view: Groups apps into buckets such as Productivity, Communication, Games, Developer Tools, and Other.
• Grid view: Shows apps as a dense icon grid, similar to a phone home screen.
• List view: Keeps the classic alphabetical list for people who like predictable, text-first navigation.

You can switch views from the All apps section, and Windows remembers your choice. The menu itself is taller and scrollable, which means more apps and categories are visible at once without extra clicks.

Why it matters:

• You spend less time hunting for apps.
• You can browse by task (Category) or by name (List) or by icon (Grid).
• The Start menu finally behaves like a true launcher instead of three separate panels.

For many users, this is the first Start menu that feels designed for large app collections, not just a handful of pinned icons.

What You’ll Gain

• Faster app launches: Jump to the right app in one or two clicks instead of digging through multiple pages.
• Cleaner mental model: One Start surface, three views, no guessing where Windows hid something.
• Better for big app libraries: Category and Grid views make sense of crowded installs.
• Less clutter: Optional ability to hide Recommended if you want a work-focused launcher.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Microsoft Windows 11 (Desktop)



1. Open Start: Click the Start button on the taskbar or press the Windows key.
2. Open All apps: Look for the All apps section or button in the Start menu and select it. This reveals the full app list with the new views.
3. Change the app view: In the All apps area, use the view selector to choose Category, Grid, or List.
4. Try Category view for task-based work: Pick Category view and scroll. Apps are grouped automatically into logical buckets such as Productivity or Communication. This is ideal if you remember what you want to do, not the exact app name.
5. Use Grid view for visual scanning: Switch to Grid view if you recognize apps by icon. The denser layout is great on high‑resolution monitors where you want many apps visible at once.
6. Stick with List view for alphabet hunters: Choose List view if you prefer scrolling alphabetically. This is closest to the classic Windows app list and works well for keyboard-heavy users.
7. Customize what appears in Start: Go to Settings > Personalization > Start. Here you can toggle options like showing recently added apps, recommended files, and websites from browser history. In the new design you can even hide the Recommended section entirely.

fig. 1 - New Windows 11 Start Menu

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Faster discovery: Category and Grid views reduce the time spent hunting through long lists, especially on app-heavy machines.
• Single mental model: One unified Start surface is easier to explain to new users and to support in a business environment.
• Better use of space: The taller, scrollable menu shows more apps at once on modern displays.
• Privacy and focus controls: The ability to hide Recommended and tune recent items helps organizations keep Start focused on work.

Cons:

• More scrolling: The larger surface can feel like “too much Start” on small screens or laptops.
• Automatic categories only: You cannot yet edit categories, create your own, or move apps between groups, which limits power-user control.
• Staggered rollout confusion: Two identical PCs may show different Start menus until Microsoft finishes the phased rollout, which complicates support and training.

Feature Access

The redesigned Start menu and new app views are available in Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, starting with builds 26200.7019 (25H2) and 26100.7019 (24H2).

Microsoft began shipping the change through cumulative updates KB5067036 (October 2025) and KB5074109 (January 2026 Patch Tuesday), delivered as an enablement package layered on top of existing installations.

This is currently rolling out in phases, so some devices on the same build may not see the new Start menu until Microsoft flips the feature flag for that machine.

If you are on Windows 11 Home, Pro, or Enterprise and fully patched on 24H2 or 25H2, you are in the target audience, but timing can vary by region and device.

Score

Criterion | Score (0–10) | Justification

Value | 9 

Delivers everyday time savings for almost every user who launches apps from Start.

Usability | 8 

Simple view switcher and clear layout, though lack of custom categories holds it back.

Wow Factor | 8 

Not flashy, but the unified surface and Category view feel like a modern rethink of Start.

Total: 25/30 🌟 Excellent

A quietly excellent upgrade that finally turns Start into a serious app launcher, comparable in usefulness to the best Android and iOS home screen organizers.

Key Takeaways

The new Start app views in Windows 11 replace a fragmented menu with a single, flexible launcher that fits different working styles. 

Category, Grid, and List views help you find apps by task, by icon, or by name without extra clicks. 

For anyone who lives in Start all day, this is a quality-of-life upgrade worth seeking out as soon as it reaches your device.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Windows 11 Start Menu App Views (Category, Grid, List)
• Platform(s): Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 (desktop)
• Quick Benefit: Find any app faster with a unified Start surface and multiple browsing modes.
• Access Type (Free, Subscription, Beta): Free feature, currently rolling out via Windows Update on supported builds.

Try It Yourself

Open Start on your Windows 11 PC, switch All apps to Category view, and spend a day launching everything from that layout to see how much faster your routine becomes. 

Then share this article with your team, family, or friends, and subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter to compare how everyone configures their own “perfect” Start.

READ MORE

• Here's How to Talk-To-Rename
• Windows 11’s New Quality Pledge: What It Really Means For You
• Windows 11 Adds a One Click Internet Speed Test in the Taskbar
• MORE Windows 11 Cool Tips

Read the Cool Tip on One Cool Tip.com.

🆒Tell Me More

• The new Start menu merges Pinned, Recommended, and All apps into one scrollable surface.

• Category view automatically groups apps by purpose; no manual setup needed.

• Grid view is ideal for touchscreens and high-resolution monitors.

• List view remains the fastest for keyboard users.

• The rollout is phased so some PCs may not have it yet.

⏩Quick Tips

• 🪟 Switch Views Fast: Open Start → All apps → choose Category, Grid, or List.

• 🔍 Search Smarter: Press Windows key + type app name—works in any view.

• 🧩 Hide Clutter: Go to Settings → Personalization → Start → toggle off Recommended.

• 📁 Group by Task: Use Category view to launch related apps together.

• 🕹️ Try Grid Mode: Perfect for touch or tablet users, tap icons directly.

✅ More Must-Read Tech Tips

👀 How Do Enter Symbols in Windows 11?

Ever struggled to find the copyright symbol or an em-dash while typing? 

Windows 11 brings a wealth of tools to simplify entering special characters and symbols. 

From quick shortcuts to easy-to-use panels, these features can save you time and add precision to your work. 

Here's How to Do It.

Method 1: Using Alt Codes

1. Ensure your keyboard has a numeric keypad.
2. Turn on the Num Lock key.
3. Hold down the Alt key while typing the corresponding four-digit code on the numeric keypad.
4. Example: To type the degree symbol (º), press Alt + 0176.

Method 2: Accessing the Character Map

1. Press Windows + S and search for "Character Map."
2. Open the Character Map application.
3. Choose your desired font, select a symbol, and click "Copy."
4. Paste the symbol into your document.

Method 3: Using the Emoji Panel

1. Press Windows + . (period) or Windows + ; (semicolon).
2. Browse through the symbols, emojis, and kaomoji.
3. Click on the desired symbol to insert it directly into your text.

Windows 11 delivers robust and accessible methods for entering symbols, catering to diverse user needs. Mastering these features will undoubtedly enhance productivity and efficiency.

Discover more HERE. 

🤔 Have You Ever Wondered How to Edit File Properties in Windows 11?

Have you ever struggled to keep your digital files organized? 

Editing file metadata in Windows 11 allows users to add valuable context to their documents, images, and videos, making organization effortless and more intuitive.

Metadata refers to the information embedded in a file that describes its properties, such as title, author, tags, and more. 

In Windows 11, users can edit file metadata directly from File Explorer to ensure files are easily searchable and sortable. 

Here's how to do it.

Editing Metadata Using File Explorer:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the file you want to edit.
2. Right-click on the file and select "Properties."
3. In the "Details" tab, you'll find editable metadata fields such as Title, Tags, and Comments.
4. Click on a field, type in your desired value, and click "Apply" or "OK" to save changes.

Types of Metadata

For Images:

• Metadata includes details like the camera used, date taken, and resolution.
• You can edit fields like title, tags, and comments in the Details tab of the file properties.

For Music Files:

• Metadata might include album name, artist, genre, and track number.

For Videos:

• Metadata can include codec information, frame rate, and descriptions.

Adding Tags to Multiple Files:

1. Select multiple files in File Explorer by holding down the Ctrl key.
2. Right-click and choose "Properties."
3. Go to the "Details" tab and add tags that apply to all selected files.

Super Cool Tip: Select 'Remove Properties and Personal Information' when you are sharing a file to remove personal data!

Mastering metadata editing in Windows 11 empowers users to unlock the full potential of file organization, improving productivity and workflow efficiency. 

Find out more HERE.

🙋‍♂️ Here's How to Show or Hide Windows 11 Desktop Icons.

Do you ever find yourself squinting through a sea of icons on your desktop, struggling to locate a specific file or shortcut? 

Whether you need a clutter-free workspace or quick access to essential tools, Windows 11's feature for showing or hiding desktop icons can be your new best friend.

Desktop icons serve as shortcuts to your frequently used applications, files, and system settings. 

Here's how to do it.

Hiding Desktop Icons:

1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
2. Select 'View'.
3. Click Show Desktop Icons to uncheck and hide all icons.

Showing Desktop Icons:

1. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop.
2. Select 'View'.
3. Click Show Desktop Icons to check and display them again.

This feature is available to all Windows 11 users, ensuring that both casual users and professionals can tailor their desktop to their specific needs.

Whether you prefer a minimalist desktop or one bustling with shortcuts, Windows 11 makes it easy to toggle your preferences.

Learn more HERE. 

❓Did you share this newsletter with three friends yet?

😎 Cool Facts

• 8/24/95: Microsoft introduced the Start button in Windows 95, released August 24, 1995. Source

• 10/25: Windows 11 25H2’s Start menu redesign began testing in October 2025 through cumulative update KB5067036. Source.

• 70%: As of April 2026, Windows 11 has grown to hold over 70% of the worldwide Windows market share. Source.

⌨️Today's Cool Shortcuts

• Windows + S: Search apps instantly.

• Windows + I: Open Settings to personalize Start.

• Windows + D: Show desktop, then reopen Start.

• Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager if Start freezes.

😜 Tech Joke of the Day 😅

Why did the Windows Start button go to the doctor?

It had a "pinned" nerve.

🔎 Do you have a Cool Tip or tech question? Email us at onecooltip.com@gmail.com.

Cool Tip Haiku

Start glows, apps align,

Three views guide your daily flow,

Click, scroll, find, repeat.

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Move Beyond Chatting and Start Creating with Gemini File Generation

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Windows Super Secret Keyboard Shortcuts to Open Microsoft Applications

Do you think you know Windows?

Do you know the super secret keyboard shortcuts to open Microsoft Applications?

There's even one to open the Microsoft-owned LinkedIn website.

Watch

Proof that your cat isn’t just walking across the keyboard… it’s actively managing your Windows settings.

Trivia Answer: A) Windows 95

Windows 95 debuted the Start menu as part of its revolutionary interface, replacing Program Manager and introducing the now-iconic Start button.

It became the anchor of Windows navigation for decades.

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Tomorrow's Cool Tip is waiting to amaze you.

Until then, go forth and conquer the tech world with your newfound knowledge!

Be sure to visit www.OneCoolTip.com for Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

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Enjoy!



Rodger

Chief Cool Tipper

onecooltip.com@gmail.com

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