Personalization Add or Remove Items in All apps in Windows 11 Start menu


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Apps_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove items listed in All apps on the Start menu for your account, new accounts, or all accounts in Windows 11.

The Start menu is comprised of three sections: Pinned, All apps, and Recommended.

All apps appears when a user clicks on All apps in the upper-right corner of the Start menu. All Apps is a comprehensive list of shortcuts, in alphabetical order, of all installed apps. Some of these shortcuts are grouped into folders with the expandable folder in the list.


The only way to remove Microsoft Store apps from All apps is to uninstall them. Do not uninstall any apps you want to use.



Contents

  • Option One: Add or Remove Items in All apps for Current User or Specific Account
  • Option Two: Add or Remove Items in All apps for New Accounts
  • Option Three: Add or Remove Items in All apps for All Accounts


EXAMPLE: All apps on Start menu

Start_Menu_All_apps-1.jpg
Start_Menu_All_apps-2.jpg





Option One

Add or Remove Items in All apps for Current User or Specific Account


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option on a specific user other than your account.

The All apps list for your account will have the items in this option and Option Three listed in it.


1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Navigate to or copy and paste the folder location below into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter to open the folder. (see screenshot below)

(Current user)​
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

OR​

(Specific user)​
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Substitute username in the path above with the actual user name of the specific user you want.



3 Do step 4, step 5, and/or step 6 below for what you would like to do.


 4. Add Shortcuts to All apps for Current User

A) Create or add shortcut(s) of anything you want in this Programs folder or in any subfolders (groups) you like. The name of this shortcut is what will show alphabetically in All apps. Go to step 7 below.​


 5. To Add Groups (folders) to All apps for Current User

Added folders must contain at least two shortcuts with at least one of these shortcuts not already on the All apps list for the folder to show on the All apps list.


A) Create a new folder in this Programs folder with any name you want. The name of this folder is what will show alphabetically in All apps.​

B) Create or add shortcut(s) of anything you want in the new folder, and go to step 7 below.​


 6. To Remove Groups (folders) or Shortcuts from All apps for Current User

A) Delete any shortcuts or subfolders (groups) you want in this Programs folder.​

7 Repeat step 3 above if you would like to add anything else to All apps.

8 When finished, close File Explorer.

9 Restart the explorer process to fully apply.

Current_User_All_apps.png





Option two

Add or Remove Items in All apps for New Accounts


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

When you add a new account to your PC, its All apps will be created to include the items in this option and Option Three below listed in it.


1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Copy and paste the folder location below into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter to open the folder. (see screenshot below)

C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

3 Do step 4, step 5, and/or step 6 below for what you would like to do.


 4. To Add Shortcuts to All apps for New Users

A) Add shortcut(s) of anything you want in this Programs folder or in any subfolders (groups) you like. The name of this shortcut is what will show alphabetically in All apps. Go to step 7 below.​


 5. To Add Groups (folders) to All apps for New Users

Added folders must contain at least two shortcuts with at least one of these shortcuts not already on the All apps list for the folder to show on the All apps list.


A) Create a new folder in this Programs folder with any name you want. The name of this folder is what will show alphabetically in All apps.​

B) Add shortcut(s) of anything you want in the new folder, and go to step 7 below.​


 6. To Remove Groups (folders) or Shortcuts from All apps for New Users

A) Delete any shortcuts or subfolders (groups) you want in this Programs folder.​

7 Repeat step 3 above if you would like to add anything else to All apps.

8 When finished, you can close File Explorer if you like.

All_apps_for_new_users.png





Option Three

Add or Remove Items in All apps for All Accounts


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Copy and paste the folder location below into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter to open the folder. (see screenshot below)

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

3 Do step 4, step 5, and/or step 6 below for what you would like to do.


 4. To Add Shortcuts to All apps for All Users

A) Add shortcut(s) of anything you want in this Programs folder or in any subfolders (groups) you like. The name of this shortcut is what will show alphabetically in All apps. Go to step 7 below.​


 5. To Add Groups (folders) to All apps for All Users

Added folders must contain at least two shortcuts with at least one of these shortcuts not already on the All apps list for the folder to show on the All apps list.


A) Create a new folder in this Programs folder with any name you want. The name of this folder is what will show alphabetically in All apps.​

B) Add shortcut(s) of anything you want in the new folder, and go to step 7 below.​


 6. To Remove Groups (folders) or Shortcuts from All apps for All Users

A) Delete any shortcuts or subfolders (groups) you want in this Programs folder.​

7 Repeat step 3 above if you would like to add anything else to All apps.

8 When finished, close File Explorer.

9 Restart the explorer process to fully apply.

All_apps_for_all_users.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink

 

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Last edited:
Not sure if I'm missing something here. I added more than a dozen shortcuts to %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. Only some of them are showing in the All Apps list... about half. Is there something that would cause certain shortcuts not to show?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Not sure if I'm missing something here. I added more than a dozen shortcuts to %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. Only some of them are showing in the All Apps list... about half. Is there something that would cause certain shortcuts not to show?

Hello Rick, :-)

If there's more than one of the same shortcut added to All Apps, it may not appear.

Some folders could be hard coded to no longer appear in All Apps.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Hi Brink. There is only one of each shortcut. I deleted them all and re-added but still the same thing. I created a folder and moved them all into the folder. The folder appears with the same shortcuts that were visible before. The one that were not visible are still not visible. These are all portable programs... programs that don't need an install. Odd...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hi Brink. There is only one of each shortcut. I deleted them all and re-added but still the same thing. I created a folder and moved them all into the folder. The folder appears with the same shortcuts that were visible before. The one that were not visible are still not visible. These are all portable programs... programs that don't need an install. Odd...

As a test, restart the explorer process to refresh the Start > All Apps list to see the portable programs shortcuts show up afterwards.


I tested with the portable Process Monitor app, and it didn't show up until a restarted the explorer process.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
I restarted the PC several times since doing this but no go. I did figure it out though. The shortcuts that were not showing were ones that I had previously pinned to the Start menu. I unpinned them all and they became visible in All Apps. Then I re-pinned them to the Start menu and now they are in both places. Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I restarted the PC several times since doing this but no go. I did figure it out though. The shortcuts that were not showing were ones that I had previously pinned to the Start menu. I unpinned them all and they became visible in All Apps. Then I re-pinned them to the Start menu and now they are in both places. Thanks!

Great news and great find for the cause. :party:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Dear All
My name is Angelo and I'm located in Switzerland (not Sweden :-)).
I've tryed the turn around mentioned by rich99 (sept 12, 2022) but in my case don't works.
Could you please rich99 let me know with which OS do you works? I ask you that because in your "profile" stay "OS: Windows 10".
Many thansk for your help and for this deliceous platform/blog.
Best regards,
Angelo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition (language german)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    i7, 12th generation
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geoforce
    Hard Drives
    1GB SSD
    Other Info
    Peace around the world!
Hi Angelo. I am using Windows 11. Sorry, I'll update my profile.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Well...I see. So nothing to do with the fact that you're using W10 and not W11. I've spent additional 3 hours whitout founding a solution... I think that Microsoft will quicker with an adhoc update than that I find a solution.
Beste regards, Angelo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition (language german)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    i7, 12th generation
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geoforce
    Hard Drives
    1GB SSD
    Other Info
    Peace around the world!
The only way that works for me is the Option One "Specific user" method.

So, if you're having issues with trying to add items to All Apps, try this method.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 5 5500U
    Memory
    8 GB LPDDR4X-4266MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" WUXGA IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    512 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe Gen3 TLC
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    MS Defender, Malwarebytes (free)

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