Forum Discussion
Start menu layout cannot be changed
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4490481 - the KB doesn't specifically mention this bug, but the fix is included in this update. You can download from here: Microsoft Catalog
Appears to have been (silently) resolved with 2018-12 Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2019 for x64-based Systems (KB4471332). Applied to a non-domain joined server, and Start Menu items are where I left 'em, and the 'new' flag on icons stays away once you right click Start Menu items.
Not tested on a domain-joined server, so if you wanna test that and report back, knock yer socks off.
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=2018-12
In a remarkable twist of events, my custom start menu has survived a restart! However, I customised the start menu before promoting the server to a DC. After promotion, the layout still cannot be changed. I should point out that I made the initial changes to the local admin account. After promotion, a new domain admin account (and user profile) was created. I changed the ProfileImagePath registry entry to point to the original local admin profile (therefore retaining any customisation) therefore deleting the new user profile.
Edit: I spoke too soon. The start menu is broken again - the custom layout is gone. Unbelievable
