Microsoft is testing changes for Windows 11 that will make it easier to customize the Start menu easier and to position the taskbar better for your needs. The company is rolling out them out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel starting today and over the coming week.
If you hate how big and bloated the Windows 11 Start menu has gotten, this test will give you the option between Small and Large versions of the menu. Simply choose the size you want from the Start menu settings, and your pick will stay consistent across displays. Windows Latest previously found that Windows 11’s Start menu became almost twice as big after an update that came out in November last year. Microsoft told the publication that it was aware of it and was looking into the publication’s feedback.
In addition, the Insiders release will give you access to section-level toggles – Pinned, Recommended, and All — so you can show or hide parts of the menu to simplify your experience. You can see a Start menu with just your pinned apps, for instance, if you switch off Recommended and All. These toggles will be rolling out over the coming weeks. You’ll also get access to a separate control for file recommendations, which will let you disable them in Start menu alone and not in other places, as well as the option to hide your name and profile picture in Start to protect your privacy if you’re sharing your screen or streaming.
Microsoft will also give you the power to position your taskbar on any edge of the screen, whether it’s top, bottom, left or right. You can even choose the icon alignment, with top-aligned and centered being the choices when the taskbar is on the left or right edge. If you put the taskbar on the top or bottom edge, you can choose between left-aligned and centered icons.
To be part of Microsoft’s Windows Insider program, you’ll have to register with your Microsoft account. Insiders get to preview the latest Windows builds the company is testing, and they’ll be able to send their feedback to the company to improve its experimental features before their wider rollout.
Lululemon clothing is being investigated for PFAS. Credit: winhorse / Getty Images
The Texas attorney general is investigating whether Lululemon clothing contains PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
PFAS are widely used for stain- and water-resistant products, but their long-term health effects are still not fully understood.
Experts say exposure from clothing is likely low, but there are some signs to tell if your clothes contain PFAS.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Monday that his office is launching an investigation into whether clothing from the athleisure brand Lululemon contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), long-lasting compounds commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” The investigation has thrust these chemicals—linked to a range of negative health outcomes and used in a variety of products—into the spotlight. Here’s what to know about the Lululemon probe, PFAS, and what it could mean for your health if these compounds are lurking in your clothing.
What's the Investigation About, Exactly?
According to a press release from Paxton’s office, the investigation will examine whether Lululemon’s clothing contains PFAS "that their health-conscious customers would not expect based on the brand’s marketing.” The office “will also review the company’s Restricted Substances List, testing protocols, and supply chain practices to determine whether Lululemon’s products comply with its stated safety standards,” the release continued.
Per the release, the allegations stem from "emerging research and consumer concerns."
Lululemon, meanwhile, denied using PFAS in its apparel, which includes leggings, workout tops, and casual athleisure wear. In an email to Health, a company spokesperson said:
"The company phased out the substance in FY23, which had been used in durable water repellent products, a small percentage of our assortment. The health and safety of our guests is paramount, and our products meet or exceed global regulatory, safety, and quality standards. We require all our vendors to regularly conduct testing for restricted substances, including PFAS, by credible third-party agencies to confirm ongoing compliance.”
What Are PFAS?
PFAS is an umbrella term for a class of chemical compounds used in a wide range of everyday products, including furniture, carpets, paint, food packaging, and clothing. They’re often added to fabrics for their stain-resistant or water-repellant properties, said Alex LeBeau, Ph.D., MPH, CIH, a toxicologist, certified industrial hygienist, and owner of Exposure Consulting in Orlando, Florida.
These compounds—which number in the thousands—have been dubbed “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily and have been discovered in soil, air, water, and in animals. They’ve been found in humans, too. Nearly everyone in the U.S. has measurable amounts of PFAS in their blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How Harmful Are PFAS?
Scientists still don’t fully know how PFAS affect human health. The chemicals can be particularly challenging to study because the category includes thousands of compounds, products contain varying levels, and exposure can come from many sources.
Two of the most widely studied PFAS—PFOS and PFOA—were phased out in the U.S. in the 2010s, LeBeau said. Those long-chain PFAS, which tend to accumulate in the body and stick around for longer, were largely replaced with short-chain alternatives, which are thought to be less bioaccumulative but may still raise health concerns.
Much of the research into PFAS has focused on what happens when people ingest them through water or food. A 2025 study found a link between PFAS in drinking water and increased incidence of digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and oral cancers. Still, LeBeau said that overall, “the health impacts are still up for debate in the scientific community.” Many human studies have produced mixed results, and much of the existing research has been conducted in animals.
While it’s possible for PFAS to be absorbed through the skin from clothing, LeBeau said it’s not considered as concerning as ingesting the chemicals. “Dermal PFAS uptake does not appear to be a concerning PFAS exposure route into the body,” he said. “Limited animal studies have suggested that PFAS may permeate the skin, but skin impact may also depend on the PFAS chemical form.”
How to Know If Your Clothing Contains PFAS
There is no federal law requiring clothing manufacturers to stop using PFAS or disclose whether their products contain them. Although, some states have banned their use in apparel and other products, and many well-known brands have said they are voluntarily phasing them out—including Lululemon.
While LeBeau said people should be most concerned about PFAS in their food and water, it's understandable to want to avoid potentially harmful chemicals altogether. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to tell whether clothing contains PFAS—but there are a few clues.
One is if a garment is labeled as being made with GORE-TEX or Teflon, both of which are PFAS-based materials. Clothing marketed as moisture-wicking, waterproof or water-repellant, or stain-resistant is also more likely to contain PFAS. It’s also a good sign if a brand explicitly labels a product or line as PFAS-free and that claim has been verified through third-party testing.
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2253385503-49d609f27e75489cbb35796a15282f5b.jpg "Hong Kong - November 26, 2025 : Lululemon store at Hong Kong International Airport.")
