How to Add or Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu in Windows
The Start Menu will show shortcuts of all programs (apps) listed in All Programs (Windows 7) and All Apps (Windows 10).
The Start Menu for an account will include items (ex: app shortcuts) from the following profiles:
- New Users - This will be items from the C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder that only get added for a new added account.
- All Users - This will be items from the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder that are shared by all accounts on the PC. These would be the common program groups.
- User - This will be items from the C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder that are only included for this specific user.
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove items from the User profile from the Start Menu for specific or all users in Windows 7 and Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove items from the User profile from the Start Menu.
CONTENTS:
- Option One: Add or Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Add or Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu for All Users using a REG file
EXAMPLE: Folder for a User's Program Groups in Start Menu
OPTION ONE
Add or Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu in Local Group Policy Editor
In Windows 7, the Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.
In Windows 10, the Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two.
1. Open the
all users,
specific users or groups, or
all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.
2. In the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor, click/tap on to expand
User Configuration,
Administrative Templates, and
Start Menu and Taskbar. (See screenshot below)
3. In the right pane of
Start Menu and Taskbar, double click/tap on the
Remove user's folders from the Start Menu policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4. Do
step 5 (add) or
step 6 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
5. To Add User Program Groups from Start Menu
A) Select (dot) either
Not Configured or
Disabled, click/tap on
OK, and go to
step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
Not Configured is the default setting.
6. To Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu
A) Select (dot)
Enabled, click/tap on
OK, and go to
step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
7. When finished, you can close Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
8. Restart the explorer process,
sign out and
sign in, or
restart the computer to apply.
OPTION TWO
Add or Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu for All Users using a REG file
The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry keys below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NoStartMenuSubFolders DWORD
(delete) = Add
1 = Remove
1. Do
step 2 (add) or
step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
2. To Add User Program Groups from Start Menu for All Users
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to
step 4 below.
Add_user_program_groups_to_Start_Menu.reg
Download
3. To Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu for All Users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to
step 4 below.
Remove_user_program_groups_from_Start_Menu.reg
Download
4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6. When prompted, click/tap on
Run,
Yes (
UAC),
Yes, and
OK to approve the merge.
7. Restart the explorer process,
sign out and
sign in, or
restart the computer to apply.
8. You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn