How to Enable or Disable Uninstall Apps from Start in Windows 8 and Windows 10

information   Information
If you no longer want or use an app, then you could uninstall the app to remove it and free up space on the drive.

If you like, you could disable uninstall apps from Start to no longer have the "Uninstall" option available in the menu of apps on Start and in All apps.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable to uninstall apps from Start for all users in Windows 8 and Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to enable or disable uninstall apps from Start.

Note   Note
Disabling uninstall apps from Start will not prevent users from uninstalling apps using other methods.


CONTENTS:
  • Option One: To Enable or Disable Uninstall Apps from Start using a REG file
  • Option Two: To Enable or Disable Uninstall Apps from Start in Group Policy


EXAMPLE: Uninstall apps from Start
Enable or Disable Uninstall Apps from Start in Windows 8 and 10-uninstall_apps_from_start_enabled.jpg
Enable or Disable Uninstall Apps from Start in Windows 8 and 10-uninstall_apps_from_start_disabled.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Enable or Disable Uninstall Apps from Start using a REG file


Note   Note
The .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD values in the registry keys below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

NoUninstallFromStart DWORD

0 or delete = Enable
1 = Disable


1. Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Enable Uninstall Apps from Start for All Users

NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Enable_Uninstall_from_Start.reg

Download


 3. To Disable Uninstall Apps from Start for All Users

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Disable_Uninstall_from_Start.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. Restart explorer, sign out and sign in to Windows, or restart the PC to apply.

8. You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.






OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable Uninstall Apps from Start in Group Policy


Note   Note
Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option One above.


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, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Start Menu and Taskbar. (See screenshot below)

Enable or Disable Uninstall Apps from Start in Windows 8 and 10-uninstall_apps_from_start_gpedit-1.png

3. In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar, double click/tap on Prevent users from uninstalling applications from Start to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


 5. To Enable Uninstall Apps from Start

A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.


 6. To Disable Uninstall Apps from Start

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Enable or Disable Uninstall Apps from Start in Windows 8 and 10-uninstall_apps_from_start_gpedit-2.png

7. When finished, you can close Local Group Policy Editor if you like.

8. Restart explorer, sign out and sign in to Windows, or restart the PC to apply.




That's it,
Shawn