Forum Discussion
Windows 11, Start button menu, make it show all apps by default
1.) Start Powershell -> Start Menu -> Run -> taskmgr -> File -> Run new Task -> %SystemRoot%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -> Select "Create this task with administrative privileges." -> Click OK.
Change the execution policy so you can run scripts locally:
2.) Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope LocalMachine -Force;
Run this in Powershell to reverse the Start Menu / Taskbar changes:
3.) Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages" -Name "UndockingDisabled" -Value "00000000"
4.) Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" -Name "SearchboxTaskbarMode" -Value "00000001";
5.) Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" -Name "NoTaskGrouping" -Value "00000000";
Restart Explorer to see the taskbar changes:
6.) ./taskkill /f /im explorer.exe;
7.) ./CMD /Q /C START /REALTIME explorer.exe;
Reinstall ALL Apps first:
8.) Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"};
Reset All Apps:
9.) Get-AppxPackage | Reset-AppxPackage;
WOW! So Microsoft really wants to make it difficult if not essentially impossible for the average Windows user to retain the perfectly logical conventional behavior of selecting from the full list of installed apps. I do really wonder where we are going when every new version of Windows becomes harder to use than the last one. It would never have occurred to me that something that could be handled with a simple configuration switch setting would require registry changes.
- pgreen72Dec 14, 2022Copper ContributorWhat Irony. I'm an independent electrical engineer who has been programming and designing electrical and software systems for 25+ years. How did I not stop the windows 11 update on my work laptop that I've been using for the past 5 years. Now, 3:30am and instead of doing client work, I am screwing with turning off MS junk that cripples me and just P me O big times. MS keeps screwing it's users over and over and over and over and over... I wish there was something better. We seem stuck in this sandbox of never ending updates of worthlessness and lost time of our lives...
- Reza_AmeriNov 17, 2021Silver ContributorPlease share your concern through the Feedback Hub app.
- M-a-r-k_Feb 14, 2024Brass Contributor
Reza_Ameri
do you work for Microsoft? Can you not just add to a complaint about how ridiculous it is to have to click on all apps and not have an option to set this as default. 'Run time logic error in Microsoft collective brain' could be the title. it's absolutely absurd! I'm sure if we tally the amount of people annoyed with it there would be a great enough concern to make a simple freaking point and click solution to make all the registry hack automated. preferably to where you don't have to restart your world in the midst of using frustrating OS!- Reza_AmeriFeb 14, 2024Silver ContributorTo answer your question, no I am not working for Microsoft, I am here as volunteer to help other users and I am not involved in design or decision making for Windows and have no influence on this. However, I have seen bug reported and feedback shared in the Feedback Hub would be take into consideration , for example never combine taskbar icons is one example of user feedbacks which take into consideration.
You're questions should be asked from Microsoft and Windows Engineers and since I am not part of the team, I am unable to response. However, feedback shared in Feedback Hub are more impactful than forum and in addition people could upvote it.
- sidneighbourJul 27, 2024Copper Contributor
Reza_Ameri This is the feedback! You're seeing it here! YOU share OUR concern through the feedback hub!
- Reza_AmeriJul 30, 2024Silver ContributorFirstly, it is important for the person who share a feedback to get credit for it , that is why I am not sharing feedback on behalf of other users. In addition, it is possible to share concern and feedback here but the most reliable way is to share through the Feedback Hub app.
- tom_bergerson0Feb 20, 2024Copper Contributor
This Windows 11, which is really Windows 10, because they skipped Windows 9
All the even numbered versions of Windows were just awful. Windows 8 being the worst, but also Vista which was 6.
7 Was just fine, and 10 was ok, which was really 9
11 is 10 and I do not like it either
Then again Microsoft tends to regard bugs as features. Like the Windows Explorer behavior where the folder cursor just randomly zings to the bottom or whatever
- CReyesOct 15, 2024Copper Contributor
tom_bergerson0 You forgot Windows ME (Millenium Edition, between Windows 98 and Windows XP). It was very bad also.
- saltpiefarmJul 31, 2024Copper Contributor
JohnSz365 says "where are we going" , my answer is where Linux Ubuntu went in 2010 when they introduced the widely hated "Dash" box. Just like windows 11 it searches for apps on your computer (and stuff off the net) when you start typing their name. Which is fine if you can remember the name that some marketing guru gave the app. If you only recall what the app is for, it is less helpful. In fact in the Windows 11 case it is even a more bizarre development because windows 10 already had a box like Dash so you had the choice, start typing the app name or select it from an alphabetical list. "Progress" in Windows 11: They just took the list away!
- saltpiefarmJul 31, 2024Copper ContributorDoh I need to apologise, Microsoft have already fixed this. If you click start and select the "All Apps" button you get an alphabetic list of apps. Thanks guys!
- Justin_EmlayJul 31, 2024Copper Contributor
That's not a fix. That requires using a mouse and clicking multiple things. A "fix" would be allowing the app list by default which is how Windows used to work. Or a third party fix would be to use WindHawk with the "Show all apps by default in start menu" pluggin.
Also, that Show All Apps link has been there from day 1. Nothing has changed.- saltpiefarmJul 31, 2024Copper Contributor
Justin_Emlay it is one click