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
Add or Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu in Windows-user_start_menu_programs.jpg






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)

Add or Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu in Windows-start_menu_user_program_groups_gpedit-1.jpg

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)

Add or Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu in Windows-start_menu_user_program_groups_gpedit-2.png

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


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