New Windows Start Menu???

Question

Work up this morning, turned my laptop on and went to the Start Menu... what the hell, it's different.

The pinned apps are at the top half and the new stuff has apps in square boxes.

How do I get rid of the bottom half?

Answer 1

You have received the new Windows 11 start menu, and it is not very configurable yet, there is no setting or method available to remove the all apps section at the bottom from the new Windows 11 start menu.

The only setting currently on that menu, is to click the 'Category' drop-down menu and select Grid or List.

The best option is to open the Feedback Hub app in Windows and report the lack of configurable settings on the new Start Menu to their developers there.

Answer 2

I've been wanting this menu for over a year now. Still nothing. Windows 11 is the worst crap show I've ever seen. As an IT I don't even want to support Microsoft anymore. 30% of Windows 11 was created using broken BS AI and it shows.

Answer 3

It looks like you have the February 2026 Windows 11 update (KB5074109), which introduces a Single Page Start Menu layout. Microsoft has merged your pinned apps and your full app list into one long, scrollable window.

In this new design, the "All apps" section is now permanently visible on the main page rather than being tucked behind a button. By default, it often opens in "Category View", which groups your apps into square boxes like "Productivity" or "Games".

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There is currently no simple "Off" switch in the standard Settings menu to remove the bottom half of this new layout.

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If you don't like the boxes, you can at least make them look like a standard list again:

Open the Start Menu.

Click the View dropdown menu in the top-right corner of the bottom section.

Select List to return to a classic alphabetical list, or Grid for a denser icon layout.

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If you want to completely hide that bottom half and go back to having only your pinned apps visible, you have to use a Registry edit.

Warning: Modifying the Registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Always back it up first.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Copy and paste this command, then press Enter:

Reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoStartMenuMorePrograms /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Restart your computer for the change to take effect.

Answer 4

Hi Jack Smook,
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. I'm happy to help.

To remove All apps section, you need to modify Registry value.

Disclaimer: Generally, modifying registry subkeys or work group is intended for advanced users, administrators, and IT Professionals. It can help fix some problems, however, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For further protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click How to back up and restore the registry in Windows - Microsoft Support to view the article.

For a user only, run this command using Command Prompt:

Reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoStartMenuMorePrograms /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

For all users, run this command using Command Prompt (Run as Administrator):

Reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoStartMenuMorePrograms /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Please restart your computer or log out of your account for the changes to take effect.

Then you may navigate to Settings > Personalization > Start to customize Start menu further.

I hope that above information is helpful to you.

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