[Tip] Set Windows 11 Start Menu to Open in All Apps by Default

If you want to make the Start Menu to open in All Apps page by default in Windows 11, this article will help you.

When you open Start Menu in Windows 11, it shows the homepage by default which contains pinned apps shortcuts as well as recommended section containing most used apps and recently opened files list.

If you need to launch a particular program, you need to click on “All Apps” button present at the top-right corner of the Start Menu to access the All Programs list and then you can select the desired program.

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Many users want to make the Start Menu always open in All Apps mode by default but unfortunately Windows 11 doesn’t provide any built-in option to do this.

In this article, we’ll tell you how to force Windows 11 to always open Start Menu in All Apps mode by default whenever you click on Start Button or press the WIN key (or Ctrl+Esc hotkey) on your keyboard.

Following screenshot shows Windows 11 Start Menu showing All Apps list by default after applying the trick:

Start_Menu_Showing_All_Apps_Page_By_Default_Windows_11.png

If you also want to set All Apps page as default view in Start Menu in your Windows 11 device, following steps will assist you:

STEP 1:

We’ll take help of a freeware called “Explorer Patcher” developed by valinet to make Windows 11 Start Menu to show All Apps list by default.

Download Explorer Patcher from following link:

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Download ExplorerPatcher for Windows 11

STEP 2:

After downloading the tool, install it and it’ll restart the Explorer.

Now right-click on the Taskbar and you’ll see some extra classic options added to the Taskbar such as Task Manager, cascade windows, Show desktop, etc. Click on Properties option in the context menu. It’ll open ExplorerPatcher settings window.

Open_Explorer_Patcher_Properties_Windows_11_Taskbar.png

Alternatively, you can also open ExplorerPatcher properties using Start Menu -> All Apps -> Properties (ExplorerPatcher) option.

STEP 3:

Now go to Start Menu tab in ExplorerPatcher properties and enable “Open Start in All Apps by default” option.

Make_Open_Start_Menu_All_Apps_By_Default_Windows_11.png

That’s it. It’ll immediately apply the changes. Now try to open Start Menu and it’ll launch in All Apps by default.

In future, if you decide to restore the default homepage in Start Menu, disable the above mentioned option again.

Remove Most Used and Recently Added Apps List from Start Menu

The All Apps page in Start Menu shows most used and recently installed apps list at the top. If you want to disable or remove these sections, following steps will help you:

1. Press WIN+I keys together to launch Settings app. You can also open Settings app from Start Menu.

2. Now click on “Personalization” section in left-side pane and then click on “Start” option in right-side pane.

3. Now disable following options:

  • Show recently added apps
  • Show most used apps

Disable_Remove_Recently_Added_Most_Used_Apps_Windows_11_Start_Menu.png

That’s it. It’ll remove the most used and recently added apps from the top of the Start Menu.

Tip for Advanced Users (Registry Method)

ExplorerPatcher modifies following DWORD value in Registry to make Start Menu opening in All Apps mode by default:

Registry Key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage

DWORD:

MakeAllAppsDefault

Value:

1 – Enable all apps by default

0 – Restore default setting

Also Check:

[Tip] Remove “Recommended” Section from Windows 11 Start Menu

[Tip] Restore Windows 10 Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 along with Classic Start Menu

Published in: Windows 11

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. No longer works for me. Just installed the latest Windows update (OS Version 10.0.22621.521 (Win11 Insider Preview – Nickel 22H2). Previous version worked fine. Registry entry shows MakeAllAppsDefault still set to 1.

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