UPDATE: This method no longer works as Microsoft has removed “All apps” from recent versions of Windows 10.
The “All programs” button in the Start menu has been renamed to “All apps” in Windows 10. Every PC user knows that clicking All apps or All programs button in the Start menu displays all installed programs/apps in the Windows operating system.
If the All apps button is missing from the Windows 10 Start menu or if you want to hide the All apps button from the Start for some reason, this guide is for you.
Complete the given below directions to add or remove the All apps button from the Windows 10 Start menu.
Method 1 of 2
Remove or add All apps button using Group Policy
Note that this method applies to Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows 10 only as the Home edition doesn’t come with Group Policy Editor. If you’re on Windows 10 Home edition, please refer to the instructions in Method 2.
Step 1: Type Gpedit.msc in Start menu or taskbar search box and then press Enter key to open Local Group Policy Editor.
Step 2: In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
Step 3: Click on Start Menu and Taskbar to see all Start menu and taskbar related policies on the right-side.
Step 4: Look for the policy named Remove All Programs list from the Start menu, and double-click on the same to open its properties.
Step 5: Finally, select Enabled to remove All apps button from Start menu or select Not Configured to show All apps button in the Windows 10 Start button. Don’t forget to click the Apply button.
Step 6: Sign out and sign in or reboot your PC once to see the change. You can also restart File Explorer by opening Task Manager, right-clicking on Windows Explorer (under Processes tab), and then clicking Restart option to see the change.
Method 2 of 2
Add or remove All apps button using Registry
This method applies to all editions of Windows 10.
Step 1: Open Registry Editor. To do so, type Regedit in Start menu search box or taskbar search box and then press Enter key.
Click Yes button when you see the User Account Control prompt.
Step 2: Navigate to the following key in Registry Editor:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Step 3: Click on the Explorer key. On the right-side, right-click on the empty area, click New, click DWORD (32-bit) Value, and then name it as NoStartMenuMorePrograms.
Step 4: Finally, double-click on NoStartMenuMorePrograms and set its value data to 0 (zero) to show All apps button, and set the value to 1 (one) to hide All apps button in Windows 10 Start menu.
Good luck!
If you’re having issues with the Start menu, please use the official Start Menu troubleshooter or repair tool from Microsoft.
emily saurers says
I am totally confused on the all apps button. I need to uninstall an app and can not do it . Can you explain in?
CLS says
Is there a way to remove it for a specific user? I have a child account on this computer (used for teaching) and don’t want the apps button visible at all.
ImportantMessage says
Um, the second method um almost worked but in policies, i have no explorer folder also when I try the first method and search up gpedit.msc nothing shows up I have an MSI computer Windows 10 home Please help! :(
JHS says
Great instructions (method #2) but didn’t work. This is soooooooooo stupid. (Not you, MS). I just want MSPaint to appear in the start menu. That’s all I want.
Chuck Baggett says
If anyone knows how to restore the All Apps button or otherwise not have all apps show when you click the window icon (the Start button, although it doesn’t call itself the Start button) please let us know. Might have to give up and use an alternate shell like Classic Shell classicshell.net. I’m reluctant because my machine is slow enough as is, and an alternate shell may cause problems, and it won’t really be like the good old XP gui was anyway.
Kaberle says
I have windows 10 pro but none of these things are on it. MS must have removed them when they updated and took away the All Apps button. WE WANT IT BACK!!!!!!
Allen Dixon says
Is there any way to get the “All Apps” button back on the Anniversary Build? I find it distracting to have all of the apps in the Start menu by default.
admin says
@ Alan
You are absolutely right. There is no All apps button in Anniversary builds.
Alan says
Another easier way is to wait for the Anniversary Release or join the Insider Preview and update to the latest build. There is no “All Apps” button on the newer builds.