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 in Windows 11 is comprised of three sections: Pinned, Recent, and All apps.
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.
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: "Category", "Grid", and "List" views for All apps section on Start menu
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\ProgramsOR
(Specific user)
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\ProgramsSubstitute 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.
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\Programs3 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.
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\Programs3 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.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Related Tutorials
- Add or Remove All Apps Section on Start Menu in Windows 11
- Open Start Menu in Windows 11
- Change Start Menu All apps View in Windows 11
- Pin to Start an App, Drive, File, Folder, or Site in Windows 11
- Add or Remove Folders on Start next to Power button in Windows 11
- Add or Remove Common Program Groups from Start Menu in Windows 11
- Add or Remove User Program Groups from Start Menu in Windows 11
- Change Category for App in Start Menu All Apps on Windows 11
Last edited:
And some wonder why people get frustrated with the Windows oddities! 
