Forum Discussion
Windows 11, Start button menu, make it show all apps by default
Reza_Ameri Please help. Could you quickly provide the simplest possible instructions for how to disable the Windows 11 Start Menu, and enable the Classic Start Menu? (@Mousefluff's previous post on Oct 30 2021 shows how to do the opposite task of disabling the Classic Start Menu, and re-enabling the Windows 11 Start Menu...)
- Reza_AmeriDec 22, 2021Silver ContributorI won't recommend that solution and unfortunately there is no easy way to do it and it is not supported.
You might consider third-party application but they are not from Microsoft.
For this reason, I recommend share your issue in the Feedback Hub app.- M-a-r-k_Feb 14, 2024Brass ContributorThis is the most basic concept! allow access to all apps easily. I am sure that is the thought of this current iteration of failed attempts from Microsoft on the Start menu. It's like they are trying to catch up to options on other OS's. But are forcing there version of certain choices rather then providing options.
- Don-1Dec 22, 2021Brass Contributor
Reza_Ameri WOW! I am shocked you would even suggest a user might consider a third-party non-Microsoft application (potentially unsafe). For everyone reading this: Do NOT install a third-party non-Microsoft application to disable the Windows 11 Start Menu, and enable a Classic Start Menu (it is potentially unsafe).
So, at this time, Microsoft has made it essentially impossible for all Windows 11 users to select the normal conventional view of a complete list of all apps BY DEFAULT when Windows 11 start menu is opened each time.
Please note that the following simple registry edit (previously officially released by Microsoft) used to work perfectly for Windows 11 to disable the Windows 11 Start Menu, and enable the Classic Start Menu. But, it is also important to note that this registry edit NO LONGER WORKS for Windows 11 (Microsoft has disabled it from functioning in the current release of Windows 11 as of Dec 22, 2021):
[NO LONGER WORKS AS OF DEC 22, 2021]
Make Windows 11 Start Menu look like the Windows 10 Start Menu:
a. Open Registry Editor.
a. Locate and then click on the following subkey in the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
b. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
c. Type "Start_ShowClassicMode" for the name of the DWORD Value, and then press ENTER.
d. Right-click Start_ShowClassicMode, and then click Modify.
e. Ensure Base is set to Hexadecimal, in the Value data box, type 1 , and then click OK.
f. Exit Registry Editor.
g. Restart computer.
[NO LONGER WORKS AS OF DEC 22, 2021]- sigh_DonApr 17, 2025Copper Contributor
OH NOOO
iT's poTEntiALly UnSAfE
don't take your GUI into your own hands or BAAAAAD THINGS MIGHT HAAAAPEN
Give me a break, dude. I mean dud. Yeesh.