Windows 11 Start Layout Customization

Question

Hi,

I am trying to customize the start layout in Windows 11 and have some challenges.

Here is what I am trying to achieve:

1. Customize the start layout by unpinning the unwanted apps as:
   
2. Exported the layout in .json (LayoutModification.json) using PowerShell (this looks like as follows:) {"pinnedList":[{"desktopAppId":"MSEdge"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"},{"packagedAppId":"windows.immersivecontrolpanel_cw5n1h2txyewy!microsoft.windows.immersivecontrolpanel"}]}
3. Mount the WIM image and copy the LayoutModification.json file at
   C:\Mount\Users\Default\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
4. Unmount the image and Commit changes.
5. Here the start layout looks like (before connecting to the internet)
   
6. And looks like this as soon as internet connection is available:

What might I am doing wrong here. How I can override default layout completely and have only my selected pinned apps?

Answer 1

Hello @~OSD~ ,

Thank you for your question.

As the problem is within windows 11 I recommend that you post your question on the windows 11 forum, because you will receive a more appropriate answer.

To do this, just click on the link below by clicking on the top menu in the option "Ask a question" and describe the entire problem, including images:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum?sort=LastReplyDate&dir=Desc&tab=All&status=all&mod=&modAge=&advFil=&postedAfter=&postedBefore=&threadType=All&isFilterExpanded=false&page=1

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If the answer is helpful, please vote positively and accept as an answer.

Answer 2

You could use some commands, those are described in below site
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configuration/customize-and-export-start-layout