How to Enable Theme-Aware Start Menu on Windows 10 2004

Microsoft introduces the new Theme-Aware Start Menu with the Build 20161. By now, this is already available for Windows 10 Insider 20H2 and other channels. Today, in this guide, we discuss ways to enable this new feature on Windows 10 2004, May 2020 Update. However, this requires one essential prerequisite i.e. installing the KB4568831 non-security patch.

Since Windows 10 version 20H2 is just a minor update to version 20H1, both features identical files and settings. Thus, it is practically possible to replicate a few changes from 20H2 to version 2004 to enable theme-aware Start Menu. Let’s explore the right procedure to do this –

Turn on New Theme-Aware Start Menu on Windows 10

Below we discuss two different ways to enable the New Theme-Aware Start Menu on Windows 10 –

Note: Installing the KB4568831 cumulative update is mandatory for proceeding to any solutions below.

1] Using Registry Tweaks

Warning: Making changes to the Registry requires skills as any incorrect configuration may seriously impact the entire OS. We recommend enabling automatic registry backup along with a full system backup before following the below steps.

First of all, press Win+R to invoke the Run dialog.
Type “regedit” in the text field and press Enter to start the Registry Editor.
Now, reach out to the below path. You may copy the entire line and paste it on the address bar.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides

Make a right-click on the Overrides folder and select New > Key.

Rename this key to “0” and press Enter.
Do the right-click on the newly created key i.e. “0” and select New > Key again.
Rename this folder to “2093230218” followed by the Enter key.
Click to expand the “2093230218” folder, right-click anywhere on the right pane and choose to New > DWORD (32-bit) value.
Rename this entry to “EnabledStateOptions“.
Next, double-click on this key and put “0” inside the Value data field.

Reboot Windows to implement the recently made changeovers.

Sign back into your PC and hit the Start button. If you didn’t get the new Theme-Aware Start Menu, keep rebooting your device for at least 2-3 times.

Note: In case you want to revert back to original settings, re-visit the above steps and delete the “0” folder.

2] Switch to Windows 10 Insider 20H2

The above registry key-settings are available on Windows 10 Insider 20H2. Hence, performing the above method alone should bring the Theme-Aware Start Menu on Windows 10 version 2004. However, if this doesn’t get turned On for whatsoever reasons, you may switch to the Insider stable-version. Here’s how to proceed –

Since Microsoft doesn’t provide an option to upgrade to version 20H2 directly, you need to first apply for becoming a Windows Insider. Once you are an Insider, follow these easy steps –

Jointly press Win+I to launch the Settings UI.
Navigate to – Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates.
Click “Download & Install” under the “Feature update to Windows 10, version 20H2“.

That’s it, the system will automatically download and install the required files.
Once the download completes, there appears a Prompt asking to Restart Windows.
Reboot the Device and the system will successfully upgrade to Windows 10 20H2.

You may now enjoy the Theme-Aware Start Menu on your computer. If you have any queries or suggestions, let us know via the comment section.