Tweaks · Start menu and search

Start menu and search tweaks

Q: How do I remove web results from Windows search?

Apply -DisableBing . It is part of Default mode. It sets the policies that turn off web search and the search box suggestions, and removes the Bing Search app.

Q: How do I hide Recommended in the Start menu?

Apply -DisableStartRecommended (Windows 11 22H2 or later). Tick Restart the Windows Explorer process in the wizard to see it at once.

Ten tweaks for Start and Windows search. Default mode applies two: no Bing web results in search, and no Microsoft Store app suggestions in search. The others clean up Start: unpin everything, hide the Recommended section, remove Phone Link from Start, and choose how the new All Apps list looks on Windows 11 25H2.

Checked against Win11Debloat 2026.08.24Updated October 30, 20262 min read

On this page 3 sections

Worth knowing
Every tweak, in detail
Questions

Tweak	Default	Policy	Needs
Remove all pinned apps from the start menu for this user only`-ClearStart`Option of “Remove pinned apps from the start menu”			Windows 11 22H2+
Remove all pinned apps from the start menu for all existing and new users`-ClearStartAllUsers`Option of “Remove pinned apps from the start menu”			Windows 11 22H2+
Hide recommended section in the start menu`-DisableStartRecommended`		policy	Windows 11 22H2+
Hide 'All Apps' section in the start menu`-DisableStartAllApps`Option of “Start menu 'All Apps' view”		policy	Windows 11 25H2+
Disable Phone Link integration in the start menu`-DisableStartPhoneLink`			Windows 11 22H2+
Disable Bing web search & Copilot integration in search`-DisableBing`	●	policy	Any
Disable Microsoft Store app suggestions in search`-DisableStoreSearchSuggestions`	●		Windows 11 22H2+
Show All Apps in Category view (Default)`-StartAllAppsCategory`Option of “Start menu 'All Apps' view”		policy	Windows 11 25H2+
Show All Apps in Grid view`-StartAllAppsGrid`Option of “Start menu 'All Apps' view”		policy	Windows 11 25H2+
Show All Apps in List view`-StartAllAppsList`Option of “Start menu 'All Apps' view”		policy	Windows 11 25H2+

Worth knowing

Bing in search (-DisableBing, in Default mode) turns off web results and Copilot in Windows search, and uninstalls the Bing Search app. If search misbehaves afterwards, this is the first tweak to undo: search problems.
Store suggestions in search (-DisableStoreSearchSuggestions, in Default mode) is PowerShell code rather than a registry file: it blocks access to the Store's local search database. Only the wizard can undo it.
Removing pinned apps (-ClearStart for you, -ClearStartAllUsers for everyone) leaves Start empty for you to pin your own apps. Win11Debloat backs up the old layout first, and ☰ → Restore backup → Restore Start Menu Backup brings it back.
Hide Recommended (-DisableStartRecommended) uses a policy, so the Start settings page may show it as managed by your organization.
All Apps: Windows 11 25H2's new Start menu shows all apps by category, as a grid or as a list. Win11Debloat can set the view, or hide the section entirely with -DisableStartAllApps. The project itself warns that hiding it makes apps harder to find.

Every tweak, in detail

Each card shows the switch, the exact registry values from the release's .reg file, and the undo file that reverses it.

Hide recommended section in the start menu

policyWindows 11 22H2+Sysprep

This will hide the recommended section in the start menu, which shows recently added apps, recently opened files and app recommendations. This feature uses policies, which will lock down certain settings.

Switch: -DisableStartRecommended
Shown while running: Disabling the start menu recommended section
Undo option: Show recommended section in the start menu

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.

The undo file reverted the change. One value came back differently from before, as the undo file writes Windows' standard value: HideRecommendedSection not set → 0.

What changed

HideRecommendedSectionHKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer not set→1

Registry changes 1 value · HKCU

Regfiles/Disable_Start_Recommended.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorerpolicy	`HideRecommendedSection`	DWORD`1` 0x00000001

Undo file: Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Start_Recommended.reg (“Show recommended section in the start menu”)

Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Start_Recommended.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorerpolicy	`HideRecommendedSection`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000
HKLMSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\ExplorerpolicyThe keys below this line are only kept for legacy reasons, to allow users to revert changes. These keys will be removed at a later date.	`HideRecommendedSection`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000
HKLMSOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Start	`HideRecommendedSection`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000
HKLMSOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Education	`IsEducationEnvironment`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AdvancedSet start menu layout to default	`Start_Layout`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000

Disable Phone Link integration in the start menu

Windows 11 22H2+Sysprep

This will remove the Phone Link integration in the start menu when you have a mobile device linked to your PC.

Switch: -DisableStartPhoneLink
Shown while running: Disabling the Phone Link mobile devices integration in the start menu
Undo option: Enable Phone Link integration in the start menu

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.

The undo file reverted the change. One value came back differently from before, as the undo file writes Windows' standard value: IsEnabled not set → 1.

What changed

IsEnabledHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start\Companions\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbwe not set→0

Registry changes 1 value · HKCU

Regfiles/Disable_Phone_Link_In_Start.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start\Companions\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbweDisable Show mobile device in Start	`IsEnabled`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000

Undo file: Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Phone_Link_In_Start.reg (“Enable Phone Link integration in the start menu”)

Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Phone_Link_In_Start.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start\Companions\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbweEnable Show mobile device in Start	`IsEnabled`	DWORD`1` 0x00000001

Disable Bing web search & Copilot integration in search

defaultpolicySysprep

This will turn off Bing web search results and Copilot integration in the Windows search experience. This feature uses policies, which will lock down certain settings.

Switch: -DisableBing
Shown while running: Disabling Bing web search & Copilot integration in Windows search
Undo option: Enable Bing web search & Copilot integration in search

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 2 registry values · removed Microsoft.BingSearch.

The undo file reverted the change. One value came back differently from before, as the undo file writes Windows' standard value: DisableSearchBoxSuggestions not set → 0.

What changed

`DisableSearchBoxSuggestions`HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer	not set→`1`
`CortanaConsent`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search	not set→`0`

Registry changes 3 values · HKCU + HKLM

Regfiles/Disable_Bing_Cortana_In_Search.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\ExplorerpolicyDisable Bing in search	`DisableSearchBoxSuggestions`	DWORD`1` 0x00000001
HKLMSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows SearchpolicyDisable Cortana in search	`AllowCortana`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000
	`CortanaConsent`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000

Undo file: Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Bing_Cortana_In_Search.reg (“Enable Bing web search & Copilot integration in search”)

Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Bing_Cortana_In_Search.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\ExplorerpolicyEnable Bing in search	`DisableSearchBoxSuggestions`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000
HKLMSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows SearchpolicyEnable Cortana in search	`AllowCortana`	—deleted
	`CortanaConsent`	—deleted

Disable Microsoft Store app suggestions in search

defaultWindows 11 22H2+script

This will disable the Microsoft Store app suggestions in Windows search.

Switch: -DisableStoreSearchSuggestions
Shown while running: Disabling Microsoft Store app suggestions in search
Undo option: Enable Microsoft Store app suggestions in search

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): no registry change, as expected: this tweak is PowerShell code.

Choose one

Remove pinned apps from the start menu

This setting allows you to quickly remove all pinned apps from the start menu.

Remove for the selected user

Remove all pinned apps from the start menu for this user only

Windows 11 22H2+script

Switch: -ClearStart
Shown while running: Removing all pinned apps from the start menu

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): no registry change, as expected: this tweak is PowerShell code.

Remove for all users

Remove all pinned apps from the start menu for all existing and new users

Windows 11 22H2+script

Switch: -ClearStartAllUsers
Shown while running: Removing all pinned apps from the start menu for all users

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): no registry change, as expected: this tweak is PowerShell code.

Choose one

Start menu 'All Apps' view

This setting allows you to change the layout of the 'All Apps' section in the start menu, or hide it entirely. Hiding this section may make it harder to find installed apps on your system. This feature uses policies, which will lock down certain settings.

Hide

Hide 'All Apps' section in the start menu

policyWindows 11 25H2+Sysprep

This will hide the 'All Apps' section in the start menu, which shows all installed apps. WARNING: Hiding this section may make it harder to find installed apps on your system. This feature uses policies, which will lock down certain settings.

Switch: -DisableStartAllApps
Shown while running: Disabling the 'All Apps' section in the start menu
Undo option: Show 'All Apps' section in the start menu

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.

Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.

What changed

NoStartMenuMoreProgramsHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer not set→1

Registry changes 1 value · HKCU

Regfiles/Disable_Start_All_Apps.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorerpolicy	`NoStartMenuMorePrograms`	DWORD`1` 0x00000001

Undo file: Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Start_All_Apps.reg (“Show 'All Apps' section in the start menu”)

Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Start_All_Apps.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorerpolicy	`NoStartMenuMorePrograms`	—deleted
HKLMSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorerpolicy	`NoStartMenuMorePrograms`	—deleted

Category (Default)

Show All Apps in Category view (Default)

policyWindows 11 25H2+Sysprep

This will set the All Apps section in the start menu to show apps grouped by category.

Switch: -StartAllAppsCategory
Shown while running: Setting All Apps view to Category

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.

What changed

AllAppsViewModeHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start not set→0

Registry changes 2 values · HKCU

Regfiles/Start_AllApps_Category.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start	`AllAppsViewMode`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorerpolicy	`NoStartMenuMorePrograms`	—deleted

Grid

Show All Apps in Grid view

policyWindows 11 25H2+Sysprep

This will set the All Apps section in the start menu to show apps in an alphabetical grid layout.

Switch: -StartAllAppsGrid
Shown while running: Setting All Apps view to Grid
Undo option: Show All Apps in Category view

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.

Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.

What changed

AllAppsViewModeHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start 0→1

Registry changes 2 values · HKCU

Regfiles/Start_AllApps_Grid.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start	`AllAppsViewMode`	DWORD`1` 0x00000001
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorerpolicy	`NoStartMenuMorePrograms`	—deleted

Undo file: Regfiles/Start_AllApps_Category.reg (“Show All Apps in Category view”)

Regfiles/Start_AllApps_Category.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start	`AllAppsViewMode`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorerpolicy	`NoStartMenuMorePrograms`	—deleted

List

Show All Apps in List view

policyWindows 11 25H2+Sysprep

This will set the All Apps section in the start menu to show apps in an alphabetical list layout.

Switch: -StartAllAppsList
Shown while running: Setting All Apps view to List
Undo option: Show All Apps in Category view

Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.

Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.

What changed

AllAppsViewModeHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start 0→2

Registry changes 2 values · HKCU

Regfiles/Start_AllApps_List.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start	`AllAppsViewMode`	DWORD`2` 0x00000002
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorerpolicy	`NoStartMenuMorePrograms`	—deleted

Undo file: Regfiles/Start_AllApps_Category.reg (“Show All Apps in Category view”)

Regfiles/Start_AllApps_Category.regsource

Key	Value	Data
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start	`AllAppsViewMode`	DWORD`0` 0x00000000
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorerpolicy	`NoStartMenuMorePrograms`	—deleted

Questions

How do I remove web results from Windows search?

Apply -DisableBing. It is part of Default mode. It sets the policies that turn off web search and the search box suggestions, and removes the Bing Search app.

How do I hide Recommended in the Start menu?

Apply -DisableStartRecommended (Windows 11 22H2 or later). Tick Restart the Windows Explorer process in the wizard to see it at once.

Keep going

All tweaksEvery setting it can change, with the exact registry values.Default modeExactly what the recommended defaults remove and change.Undo & restoreRevert any tweak, restore the registry backup, reinstall removed apps.

Something wrong or out of date? Email hello@win11debloat.dev and we will fix it.

#Worth knowing

#Every tweak, in detail

#Questions

How do I remove web results from Windows search?

How do I hide Recommended in the Start menu?

Keep going

Worth knowing

Every tweak, in detail

Questions