Most PC users often use the All apps (previously known as All programs) button in the Start menu to quickly view installed programs and apps. As you likely know, the “All programs” option has been renamed as “All apps” in Windows 10 and appears at the left bottom of the Start menu when you open the Start menu.
A user recently asked us why the “All apps” option is no longer being displayed in Windows 10’s Start menu.
Why is the All apps button not being shown in the Windows 10 Start menu?
The “All apps” button no longer appears in Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607), build 14393 (check your Windows 10 build number), and above builds. This is because Microsoft has updated the Start menu to improve the efficiency and discoverability of finding apps.
In 14393 and above builds of Windows 10, Microsoft has merged the Most used apps list All apps list into a single view. So, when you open the Start menu either by clicking the Start button or the Windows logo key on the keyboard, the Start menu now displays up to six recently used apps at the top left of the Start menu and then shows all installed apps and programs.
If there is a recently installed program or app, the Recently added list appears just below the Most used list. The Recently added list now shows up to three recently installed programs and apps, but you can click the Expand button to view all recently installed programs and apps.
The other advantage of this updated Start menu is that you don’t need to click the “All apps” button to view all installed apps. After opening the Start menu, scroll down the list to see all installed apps and programs.
In short, if you can’t see the “All apps” button in the Start menu, nothing to worry about. The button is not part of the updated Start menu, and all other features and options of the Start menu will continue to work without any issues. As of now, there is no workaround out there to get back or restore the All apps button in the Start menu of build 14393 and above.
Russell Sipe says
Thanks for the info that the All Apps button no longer appears in newer Windows updates. That is my case. However I am not trying to install an app that will show up in Start. I want a link to a document. How can I do that?
Gina Butterworth says
I lost my menu manager. I loved it and missed it now. How can I retrieve it? It helped me to go back easily to where I left or go back to home page or apps.
Kevin says
Our problem is it was removed from the computer, it is NOT even in “Turn On or Off Windows Features”.
I found a script but this did not help either.
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
I like using Classic Shell, because the new Microsoft “Menu” is almost totally worthless.
Jim says
so what I want to do is pin an app that’s not already on my Windows 10 list, I want the youtube app anybody know how to find it so I can pin it to the start menu. I don’t have a smart phone and want to use the app to send views to my Roku assisted “dumb” TV
PhredE says
Errrr… I’m happy to be able to say that ‘All apps’ lives, albeit in a different visage and place compared to its former self.
In winver 1809 Build 17763.253 (nothing special in that) of Win10 you can see ‘All apps’ by choosing Personalisation in the settings (Win+I), then Start on the left, and you’ll see that the second-last switch is ‘Use Start full screen’. Turn it on.
Now when you choose Start/WindowsKey you’ll see that the third icon down is a set of dashed lines. It’s ‘All apps’.
Choose that and you’ll see all your apps, almost as of old. In WIn8 it used to be more dense, occupying the full screen, and it used to scroll horizontally by using the mouse-wheel, but it’s still useful now, maintaining the vertical-scroll behaviour of most interfaces.
All you have to do is Start, 3rd-down, roll – and you have lots of information at a glance: a swag of apps for your choosing.
You still have the choice of seeing the familiar Start screen (second icon) where tiles are in the places you chose and remember, but the suite of ‘All apps’ is still available; not a default, but only one click away.
So it’s left thumb on the WindowsKey, a swift mouse-click on the third icon – and there you are.
‘I don’t want a full-screen Start screen’, some people may carp. I’d ask – what do you want to do with the desktop behind the Start screen while you’re looking for a program/app? Is it important that you have a partial desktop showing? I’d have to wonder.
Give it a go; you just might like it.
Liz says
In reply to James’ comment:
“….Most intelligent users don’t use All Apps most of the time because they intelligently pinned their apps to the taskbar or created desktop shortcuts…”
I’ll take it a step further and add, “Most intelligent users don’t use Windows.”
Microsoft has made it so that every man, woman and child can afford to buy a tablet, laptop, and/or PC.
I just don’t get why they’re so clunky and noisy to use. Can probably chalk that up to low grade plastic. Their keyboards and trackpads just plain suck. Why even have them? Talk about frustrating! Plan on connecting a mouse.
Windows in completely unintuitive.
If they ever decide to make these things a pleasure to use, first and foremost, duplicate Apple’s “Finder”. It sits in the upper right corner of the display, which is breathtaking btw.
Allen Peyser says
The start menu reflects a problem that Microsoft has had for years and is typical of any large organization that has lots of divisions that must justify their existence – they must make changes, even if they are not needed as they fear a cut in personal. For me, the worst case was when MS switched to a clutter of icons for Word and Excel and eliminated Menus that worked great. I was forced to use open source software for both these products and will now never go back, as they do everything I need to do and much more. In addition, they do it just the same way on MS and Apple computers. MS clearly has a management problem smart enough to “tame” the tech divisions.
carlos says
When windows 10 was reinstalled the red windows news tile disappeared.I’d like to get it back if possible.
Allan Israel says
I just bought my first, new Windows 10 laptop the other day. Everyhting is great but I have one problem – I want to create a few shortcuts on my desktop. In Windows 7 it was easy – just right click the icon in the Start menu and click on “Send to desktop (create shortcut). In Windows 10 the same thing can be achieved by right clicking on “All Apps”. But this has now disappeared! So can someone please tell me how to rectify this ridiculous situation???????????????????
Hossain says
Thanks so stupid of them
Dave says
Windows 10 team proved that Einstein was right:
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”
Why fix if it’s not broken?
FireMSEmployees says
Here’s your “enhanced” turd. E.N.J.O.Y.
And no, you can’t choose anything else.
This has to be the most retarded change in the history of operating systems.
I’m gonna delete every fucking shortcut in the folder just to de-clutter the barrage of useless info I’m force-fed whenever I open up the start menu. A shame I no longer have a searchable apps menu, but I’ll take a less useful, but organized UI over a busy, cluttered, closed slightly more functional sewage UI any day.
Kathleen Fairman says
This is another Windows “improvement” that makes life a lot more difficult. I’m trying to get to a program that was installed a long time ago so that I can update the license, and of course, it is nowhere to be found. Something that used to take 5 seconds is now occupying major effort. Please, please, PLEASE, Windows, stop “fixing” stuff!
AC says
I hate this change. Why don’t they let ME decide what I want to see and what I don’t?
Louis says
A good alternative is; richt click on the taskbar and unlock taskbar/right click again on taskbar /click on toolbars/click on new toolbar/go to C: programdata/ microsoft/windows/menu start/ programs/ now click on programs to add this map on the taskbar / lock taskbar and you have the map with all programs or apps on your taskbar.
Mahendra Fernando says
Hate this stupid modification. Half of my most useful apps are not visible
Lou Cassivi says
I have no pbm with the change(s), but it would be helpful (and courteous, and thoughtful, and polite, and …) for you to inform us of each and every change, rather than us plebs searching the web and books for fixes to what appear to us as pbms.
James says
Making it so All Apps is always shown is completely and totally redundant. They gave us Cortana for improved discoverability. Most intelligent users don’t use All Apps most of the time because they intelligently pinned their apps to the taskbar or created desktop shortcuts. Any apps they needed that weren’t pinned or had a shortcut, they could simply go to Cortana and just type “(App name)” and hit Enter. This is cluttered and ugly. I like having my Start menu the way I want it, not how Microsoft thinks I want it.
Lisa Bonjour says
Quit changing crap that doesn’t need changing. Very disappointed that you are going backward on development instead of forward.
Aplimy says
Don”t know what the fuss is about. It would be nice if we are informed about the changes ,so that we do not think it is a problem.Just spent some time looking for a fix only to find out it”s an update.
james wise says
I just got a new computer Sat Oct 1 and today which is Oct 6 and
I have spent several hours trying to find out what happened to my start menu.
and finally found this web site and now I know. sure would have been nice
if I had been warned before wasting my time.
James
Sam says
The change is definitely not an enhancement. MS needs to stop making updates that no one wants or needs. I wish I could switch our office to Linux because ever update that MS makes crashes half of the computers in office and I spend days cleaning up the mess.
ALAN HARRIS says
The worst of this is that not only is the START MENU now cluttered with useless crap; the Power, Settings, File Explorer buttons are now relegated to side bar symbols with no names attached.
It was obvious to have the frequently used apps on top and the other functions at the bottom; wasn’t that the supposed to be the main feature of the reinstated Start Menu?
Laura Moore says
I don’t have the above when I click on the windows Icon nothing happens. I try to search for them and they are gone. They were there. at one time
Roy L. Vincent says
The removal of the ability to in-clutter the start screen by removing the All Apps button is about the dumbest idea I have ever heard of . I am sure some little “Techy” got kudos over this from some DA Business Manager/ Accountant who knows absolutely buggar all about anything having to do with comp;uters. Again —- this is DUMB.
Jimmy says
Not again, Microsoft needs to let users know what is going to change. I don’t want to see all my programs when I click on start. If there was an option to turn on or off all apps would be nice.
Richard says
Hi,
Sorry to say that :
I’m OK with all the above : it sucks to see all the apps on clicking the start menu.
It sucks to loose hours to look for the “my apps” button, and where is now this or that..
Even the start list has reduced icons – lack of space I can guess-, and you have to wait the ballon to be sure what it is.
I’d better see the text.
Yes, more and more, Linux makes its way.. not only into my mind, but in the “efficiency”, security, clouding, aso.
Tony Thomas says
Typical Microsoft – knows better than its customers. Please restore this button and cut out the BS!
Samuel Springstein says
To not showing the button “all apps” is a downgrade! I hate it that on my screen all apps list will be showed. My often used app are on the right side of my screen. So I don’t want to see all the other appes which I down need or use.
G DiMauro says
I hate it. Please bring back the All Apps Button or at least give us an option to choose.
Ziofrem says
The ‘All Apps’ list does not serve to anything and it is a very stupid thing to leave it always shown in the Start menu.
I never used it, if I need to look for an application I prefer Cortana (with option ‘no web’), is faster.
Ms McLean says
Yep, here we go again. Another stupid update to mess with your head, your time, and make your Windows experience the perfect way to ruin your day. Come on people at Microsoft, you are starting to rival iTunes for spectacular screw ups. Oh – maybe that’s it. Its a game. Lets see who can come up with the most aggravating, user unfriendly changes.
Its a dead heat from where I sit.
Les says
Typical Microcrap. If it is something useful take it away. I have hated Windows for years. It just keeps getting worse. If the people that design the junk had to use it in the real world it would be totally different.
Danny says
Why do they feel the need to change things? It’s like apple getting rid of the headphone jack. I just want to view ALL my apps, is that too much to ask for? MS has gone down hill since windows 8. Make the changes and LEAVE IT ALONE SO THE USER CAN LEARN TO USE IT EFFICIENTLY. Don’t make changes and then say the purpose is to make it more efficient. You in fact made it less efficient because I just spent a chunk of time trying to find out where the stupid button is. Way to annoy the end user once again Microsoft. UGH!
Mezurak says
Private customer had a failed hard drive. Reinstalled Windows 10. System upgraded. Now we have this big glob of crap where the Start page used to be. Customer is not happy and I look like a F’n idiot. Next month we start a large upgrade for a government client. If this shows up on their enterprise, they will go nuts.
Terry says
I do NOT want to see all of my apps displayed when I hit the “Start Menu”.
I already have all the apps I want or need quick access to pinned.
This is nothing but clutter now – I only need a way to see All Apps on rare occasions.
Please give us a way to turn off displaying all apps!!!
rich says
“improve efficiency and discoverability” The IDIOTS! Seems like they are doing everything they can to make the system more annoying to use.
Richard Bell says
Not only lost the ALL APPS button but also lost several APPS. I spent the mandatory 2 hours trying to reset the display.
So I have another machine beside me that did not get the Anniversary Update. Is there any way to keep the update from happening?
Ken Barr says
No “All apps” button anymore. What a bunch of crap. I don’t want to see all my apps until and if I need one.
Yortuk says
Windows 10 build 1511 was fine with the all-apps menu. If I want the app IN MY FACE I will put a shortcut on the desktop. If want a neat and tidy display, I will use the all-apps menu.
These must be the same folks who gave us the new mail program, Outlook mail was 100% satisfactory. Change for change’s sake is bad. If these people can’t find anything better to do then Microsoft should consider another round of layoffs.
A simple checkbox option for all-apps would have been sufficient. Why did they omit it?
You can call me Ray says
Annoyed by this like most every commenting user above. Surprised this link doesn’t come to the top when doing a search for “Undo expand all apps windows 10” or “collapse all apps windows 10”. Will wait impatiently for a “fix” for this stupid decision.
Ray says
I’m definitely hating MS now. Plus when I wanted to use Classic Shell, I noticed that it used the System Color… Which is no longer customizable, instead you have a nice choice of colors, all selected by MS for us. Wouldn’t it be for video games, I’d have quit long ago.
richard says
that’s it… installing ‘classic shell’ here I come…
MS control freaks… linux is looking more user friendly every day.
Loz says
Thanks for clearing that up. I was hoping it was just a case of changing some default setting back to show “All Apps” button instead of the A-Z listing. But oh no! And what makes MS thinks it knows what is best for it’s users in the real world? And don’t get me started on no being able to dispense with Cortana.
Ivan D. says
I just installed Windows 10 on a new PC and was really sad to see the start menu butchered.
Why make things more complicated and ugly? Bring back the All Apps button, I don’t want to see a long cluttered list of apps. Hopefully someone will make a fix to revert it back to before the anniversary version.
cecil summers says
I agree with the comments …I liked it the way it was before the update and don’t want to see all “apps” when I hit the “start button”
Andreas says
Stupid update, one way to declutter is to change it so start menu opens in full screen.
Great article though, was going mad checking all settings to figure out why the button was not there any more.
todd says
This change totally sucks. Do something useful. Linux looks better and better.
Vance Friedman says
My God, what a terrible change and this is one of the dangers in adopting Windows 10, i.e. the “last” Windows version – now there are a lot of MS developers, managers and execs worried about their jobs so we have more “change for the sake of change”, this time a wholesale revamp of the start button, which many users liked and were used to. Why would I want to view “All Apps” each time I click on the start button? Can we not maintain a consistent design for even a few years? It’s insane, but this is only the start, and I expect more scared dev teams attempt to justify their existence by enacting even more wholesale changes that the majority of users didn’t ask for and don’t like.
Rick says
I installed the original free upgrade 2 weeks ago and today Microsoft’s auto updater installed the Anniversary update.
LOL, I also spent a couple of hours trying to figure out how to get the “All apps” button back then I started thinking they must have actually changed it in the new update.
Unlike the author I do not see the new feature as an advantage. Usually, when I click on the the start button I am not looking for an app and do not want to see a list of all the installed programs on my computer every time I click on the Start button. I prefer the “All apps” button. Showing the whole list just adds more clutter to go with those silly tiles. Was it really that hard to click on the “All apps” button – hopefully they will add it back as an option.
Mr Marchpane says
Windows 10 Start Menu Folders labels are missing #tagsForGoogleSearch.
Mr Marchpane says
Holy frak… i spend 2h looking through registry and checking what messed up my start menu. On desktop it’s old way, on laptop after reinstalation it appears difrently and it got me anoyed. Finaly I found this article.