The Windows 11 Start menu does not display All apps by default. Instead, it shows apps pinned to the Start menu, newly installed apps, and recently opened files. If you need to view all installed apps, you need to click on the All apps button located in the Pinned apps section of the Start menu.
Although the default layout of the Start menu looks good, many users prefer to see All apps by default instead of pinned apps and recently used files.
As you might have discovered by now, there is no option in the Start menu settings (Settings app > Personalization > Start) to show All apps by default. Luckily, a third-party app out there helps you force the Windows 11 Start menu to show All apps by default.
ExplorerPatcher is a small software designed to customize the default behavior of the Start menu and taskbar in Windows 11. With the help of ExplorerPatcher, you can get Windows 10 Start menu and taskbar experience in Windows 11 as well. In addition to that, it can help you completely remove the Recommended section from the Windows 11 Start menu.
This guide will show you how to use the ExplorerPatcher to force the Windows 11 Start menu to show All apps by default.
Open “All apps” by default in Windows 11 Start menu
Step 1: Visit this page of GitHub and get the latest version of ExplorerPatcher software. Note that browsers like Edge might warn you against downloading and running this software. However, the software is safe to download and run.
Step 2: Run the ExplorerPatcher software to install it. The installer does not have a user interface. So, you might not see anything during the installation.
Step 3: Once installed, you might notice that the Start menu and taskbar might look like the one in Windows 10. We will change the required settings in the next step to make them look like Windows 11 again.
Step 4: Perform a right-click on the taskbar and then click Properties.
Step 5: In the resulting ExplorerPatcher Properties dialog, select Taskbar in the left pane. On the right side, select Windows 11 style taskbar (refer to the picture below).
Step 6: Now, click the Start menu in the left pane. On the right side, ensure that Windows 11 Start menu is selected (refer to the picture below).
Next, select the Open Start in All apps by default option.
Step 7: Lastly, click on the Restart File Explorer link to restart the File Explorer. That’s it! From now on, the Start menu will display All apps by default whenever you open it.
NOTE: Although this method works perfectly, the Start menu might show the default pinned apps and recommended section layout when you open the Start menu repeatably without any delay. In our test, we found that it works just fine if you open the Start menu again after a gap of two seconds. We hope this issue will be fixed soon.
Use keyboard to quickly open All apps in Windows 11 Start menu
If you want to access the All apps section quickly with the help of keyboard shortcuts, you can do so as well. Here is how.
Step 1: Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows logo key.
Step 2: Press the Tab key two times to select the All apps button.
Step 3: Press the Enter key to open All apps.
Tom Rhymestine says
I have tried the app in the past on different PCs and never had a problem making “All Apps” default and removing the “Recommended” group.
However, on my latest PC, it does not work. I have downloaded the latest version, I am up to date with all Windows 11 Pro updates, have rebooted several times and yet they persist!
Any suggestions?
Tony Norton says
You don’t need anything that doesn’t already exist in Window 11, and NO, I am not associated with, or working for, Microsoft.
All you have to do is right click on the taskbar, click on properties, and up comes everything you may want to. The most obvious, which seems to be the things most disliked, are the top option “Taskbar style”, and the bottom one “Taskbar icon size”. Just click on those and you can switch from a Win 11 appearance to a Win 10 lookalike.
L.Evans says
Excellent, not only are all apps shown by default, but the user and power buttons are back in their logically/easily accessible places.
Richard says
How do I install ExplorerPatcher!? There is no exe or msi file in the Github repository.
Max says
This is not a fix. It’s just a quicker way to click “all apps.”
Adam Logan says
Doesn’t work on Windows 11 ARM in a Parallels VM, at least for me.
Larry Clyde Brown says
I want to see all apps when I touch the start menu button like Windows 10.
david says
wish you could be SPECIFIC, there are several files with that name, so which one to use ??????
admin says
Glad to know that! Thanks for the confirmation.
Stefan says
This is exactly what I was looking for, works perfect for me so far!
Alwin says
To bad you did not mention that 3rd party app in you header.
Fred says
Very nice, thx !