How to hide the All apps list in the Start menu on Windows 11

Windows 11 now merges Pinned and All apps into a larger Start menu layout that many users dislike.
The All apps section can be completely removed, leaving only pinned apps visible.
This change requires a Registry modification or a single Command Prompt command.

On Windows 11, you can remove the “All” menu as well as the “Recommended” section and show only pins in the Start menu, and in this guide, I’ll show you the steps to complete this configuration.

As part of the recent design changes, Microsoft introduced a new Start menu layout that combines the “Pinned” and “All” views into a single, larger interface, with the option to disable the “Recommended” section. However, many users have mixed feelings about this new layout, as it’s unnecessarily large and still lacks basic customization options.

Some users have also been sharing their dislike of the folder arrangements for apps in the “All” section, as the menu now groups similar apps using the “Category” view by default. Although they can simply change the view to “Grid,” it’s also possible to remove the “All” section, leaving only the “Pinned” view, similar to the app drawer on an Android phone.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to remove the “All” section from the Start menu on Windows 11.

Warning: Before proceeding, it’s crucial to acknowledge the risks associated with modifying the Windows Registry. Incorrect changes can lead to system instability or operational issues. Therefore, ensure you have a full system backup before making any changes. Proceed with caution and understanding.

Hide the All apps list in the Start menu
FAQs about hiding the All apps list in the Start menu

Hide the All apps list in the Start menu

To get rid of the All apps section in the Start menu, follow these steps:

Open Start.
Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.

Open to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

Right-click the Policies key, select New, and click Key.
Confirm the Explorer name for the key and press Enter.
Right-click the Explorer key from the right pane, select New, and click the “DWORD (32-bit) Value” option.
Confirm the value NoStartMenuMorePrograms for the DWORD and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created DWORD and set its data to 1.
Click the OK button.
Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, opening the Start menu will no longer show the All apps list. Only pinned apps will be visible. However, if you proceed with this configuration, you’ll have to use Windows Search to find applications manually if they’re not already pinned to the Start menu.

Start menu without All apps list / Image: Mauro Huculak

If you want to undo the changes, you can use the same instructions outlined above, bout on step 7, right-click and select the “Delete” option for the “NoStartMenuMorePrograms” key.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to open the Registry, you can run this command in the Command Prompt (admin):

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoStartMenuMorePrograms /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f && taskkill /f /im explorer.exe && start explorer.exe

If you want to undo the changes, you have to run this Command Prompt command as administrator:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoStartMenuMorePrograms /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f && taskkill /f /im explorer.exe && start explorer.exe

Alternatively, if you want to revert to the classic Start menu on Windows 11, you can use these steps.

FAQs about hiding the All apps list in the Start menu

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about modifying the Registry to get rid of the All apps list in the Start menu.

Can you remove the All apps section from the Windows 11 Start menu?

Yes. On Windows 11, you can remove the All apps section entirely by modifying the Registry or running a Command Prompt command. This leaves only pinned apps visible in the Start menu.

Does Windows 11 have a built-in option to hide the All apps section?

No. Microsoft does not currently provide a built-in setting to hide the All apps section. The only way to remove it is through a Registry change or a command-line workaround.

Is it safe to remove the All apps menu on Windows 11?

Yes, if done correctly. The change only affects the Start menu layout and can be reversed at any time. However, modifying the Registry incorrectly can cause system issues, which is why a full backup is recommended.

What happens if I remove the All apps section?

Once removed, the Start menu will only show pinned apps. Any apps that are not pinned must be launched using Windows Search or by creating shortcuts manually.

Can I restore the All apps menu after removing it?

Yes. You can restore the All apps section by deleting the NoStartMenuMorePrograms Registry value or setting it back to 0, then restarting the Explorer process or the computer.

Does this tweak work on all versions of Windows 11?

This method works on current releases of Windows 11, including versions with the redesigned Start menu that merges Pinned and All apps. Behavior may change in future updates.