Configure the Start menu via Group Policy

With Windows 11 25H2, Microsoft has once again fundamentally changed the Start menu and made individual sections configurable. These settings can also be managed via Group Policy, starting with Windows 11 Pro. This includes, among other things:

Type “Group Policy” into the search bar and launch it, or press the Windows key + R, type `gpedit.msc`, and launch it. Launch the Registry Editor (press Windows Key + R, type `regedit`, and press Enter)

Disable Search

Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Search. Then locate “Turn off search UI completely”; this disables search in the taskbar and Start menu.

Disable context menus

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar. Then, in the right-hand pane: “Disable context menus in Start Menu” (Also available under Computer Configuration)

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsExplorer DWORD (32-bit) value `DisableContextMenusInStart` set to 1

Hide recently added apps

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar. Then, in the right-hand pane: “Remove ‘Recently added’ list from Start Menu” (Also available under Computer Configuration)

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsExplorer DWORD (32-bit) value `HideRecentlyAddedApps` set to 1

Remove “Recommended” from Start menu

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar. Then, in the right-hand pane: “Remove ‘Recommended’ section from Start Menu” (Also available under Computer Configuration)

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsExplorer DWORD (32-bit) value `HideRecommendedSection` set to 1

Hide recommended personalized websites

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar. Then, in the right-hand pane: “Remove personalized website recommendations from the ‘Recommended’ section in Start Menu” (Also available under Computer Configuration)

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsExplorer DWORD (32-bit) value `HideRecommendedPersonalizedSites` set to 1

Hide app list

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar. Then, in the right-hand pane: “Remove ‘All programs’ list from the …Start Menu” (Also under Computer Configuration)

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer DWORD (32-bit) value NoStartMenuMorePrograms; set value to 3 for “Collapse”. Value 2 for “Collapse and disable settings”. Or value 1 for “Remove and disable settings”.

Hide pinned apps

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar. Then, in the right pane: “Remove pinned programs list from the Start Menu” (Also under Computer Configuration)

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer DWORD (32-bit) value NoStartMenuPinnedList; set value to 1

Hide category view in Start Menu

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar. Then, in the right pane: “Hide category view in Start Menu” (Also under Computer Configuration)

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsExplorer DWORD (32-bit) value HideCategoryView; set value to 1

Hide frequently used apps

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar. Then, in the right pane: “Turn on/off frequently used programs list in Start Menu”

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer DWORD (32-bit) value NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList; set value to 1