Forum Discussion
Windows 11, Start button menu, make it show all apps by default
Reza_Ameri I got a new device that came with 11 on it rather than having been upgraded -- all my windows PCs have "metered" connections to keep it from downloading crap without my permission. My only choice would be to wipe the device and install windows 10 on it, which I might actually do, despite the pain in the **bleep** that it is to get all the drivers setup. (luckily the device is Ryzen based and doesn't have mixed cores).
It just astounds me that no one involved in designing the new start menu stopped to think that "pinned apps sounds an awful lot like what the taskbar already does, so who or what is this even for?" or that "maybe we should at least make a config switch to bring up something more like the existing all apps behavior by default." or that 18 months later they STILL have not figured out how to make a config setting to do that, and in fact have doubled down on forcing this bad UI choice on users by breaking the registry setting that brought back the old behavior.
- GavinH40Jul 19, 2023Copper Contributor
To be honest I love loads of features that Windows 11 brings, except the fact that Microsoft in there infinite wisdom thought that having recommend or mostly used application list on the start menu was ever a good idea to have as default.
Up until last week I was more than happy to have all my applications listed every time I opened the start menu but now Microsoft have gone and negated the registry key and now it doesn't work. Now I have to find another solution that forces Windows to do what I want, not what Microsoft has the amazing intuition (being sarcastic) of deciding people want. Having the option built into the Start menu settings would be something, but Microsoft likely would see this as a nauseous or unnecessary. - MobilePhilJun 29, 2023Brass Contributor
kitkat54 Same here.
- Justin_EmlayJun 29, 2023Copper ContributorAgreed! Hitting the start key to be displayed with a completely blank window with nothing in it is subpar at best.
I test drove Start11 today by StarDock and while it's certainly better and gives you the old 10 start menu exactly how I want it there are two major bugs. 1) When you click the Start Menu Button you still get the Win11 Start Menu. This is an actual bug, it's not supposed to do that. I notified support. Until they fix it though the only way to get the Win10 Start Menu is with the Win Key. Secondly, it can't properly handle the user image so in place of that you get a huge black dot. Bleh. With that said I'm not sure I want an entire extra program installed if it's not going to be just right.
I also tried Open-Menu on Github and that takes the menu back TOO FAR. - Justin_EmlayJun 29, 2023Copper Contributor
MaggotdrownerAll the issues I mentioned happened on two different systems. In addition to that the constant notifications that "symbols" were updated is rather annoying. Good luck to you I guess.
- MaggotdrownerJun 29, 2023Copper Contributor
Justin_Emlay I can't say I've ever had an issue with ExplorerPatcher.. sits there doing exactly what I want it to do..(tells me when it needs updating). No problems with any updates on W11 or most progs on my machine.. only one that is a bit touchy is Corel's PSP 2023.. each to their own I suppose 🙂
- kitkat54Jun 29, 2023Copper Contributor
real awesome UI they have here for the start menu.</sarcasm>
it is just peak idiocy that no one stopped to think that they already had a taskbar that you could pin apps to, and that users would pin the things they wanted pinned to that so they didn’t need to click the start button at all for apps important enough to pin. Literally the ONLY reason I’d EVER go to the start menu at all is to get a list of all apps. DERP.
- Justin_EmlayJun 29, 2023Copper ContributorMiddle of 2023 and this is still not resolved!
Also, ExplorerPatcher is a horrible suggestion. It causes lots of issues with explorer. Drag and drop issues, updating desktop issues, outright crashing explorer. All that nonsense went away once I removed it.