This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Category view in the All apps section on the Start menu for all or specific users in Windows 11.
Starting with Windows 11 build 26200.5641 (Dev 24H2) and build 26120.4250 (Beta 24H2), Microsoft introduced a new redesigned Start menu.
The new scrollable Start Menu is comprised of three sections: Pinned, All apps, and Recommended.
The All apps section on the Start menu shows all your installed apps in either a Category, Grid, or List view. With All now on the top-level, apps are easily accessible without having to navigate to a secondary page. The new default Category view automatically groups your apps by category for quick access to your most used categories and apps. So, if your most used apps are Outlook and Solitaire, you can expect those apps to bubble up to the top in their respective categories. Categories are formed when there are at least 3 apps in each respective category. Otherwise, they will remain in the “Other” category. Grid view is ordered alphabetically like List view but allows for better scanning of all your installed apps with more horizontal real estate. The Start menu will remember your last used view so you can reliably launch your apps with the view you prefer most.
If you don't want the Category option available in the View drop menu for All apps on the Start menu, you can remove it leaving only the Grid and List view options available.
If you don't have the new Start Menu available yet in 24H2 or 25H2 and would like to try it now, then you can enable it using the command below with ViVeTool.vivetool /enable /id:47205210
Enable or Disable Hidden Feature Flags in Windows 11
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable hidden experimental feature flags in Windows 11. ViVeTool is an open source tool that can be used to enable hidden features that are part of controlled feature roll-outs or A/B testing in Insider builds of Windows 11. Starting with Windows...
www.elevenforum.com
You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove Category View in the All apps section on the Start menu.
Contents
- Option One: Add or Remove Category View in All apps section on Start Menu for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Add or Remove Category View in All apps section on Start Menu for All Users using REG file
EXAMPLE: Add or remove Category view in All apps section on Start menu
Add or Remove Category View in All apps section on Start Menu for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two to configure the same policy.
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 Navigate to the policy location below you want in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below step 3)
(All users)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
OR
(Specific user or group)
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
3 In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Hide Category view in the Start Menu policy to edit it. (see screenshot below)
4 Do step 5 (add) or step 6 (remove) below for what you want.
5 Add Category View in All apps section on Start Menu
This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.
6 Remove Category View in All apps section on Start Menu
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.
7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
Add or Remove Category View in All apps section on Start Menu for All Users using REG file
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
2 Add Category View in All apps section on 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_Category_view_in_Start_menu_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideCategoryView"=-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideCategoryView"=-3 Remove Category View in All apps section on 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_Category_view_in_Start_menu_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideCategoryView"=-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideCategoryView"=dword:000000014 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
