How to Deploy a Custom Start Menu Layout Using PowerShell and XML

Customizing the Start menu layout can be suitable for MSPs and IT teams that want to provide a more consistent and standardized user experience. They can use PowerShell and XML to predefine and deploy Start menu tiles to display business apps, reduce clutter, and streamline onboarding.

Keep reading to learn various methods for setting up a custom Start menu layout, including optional enforcement using Group Policy and registry settings.

How to deploy a custom Windows Start menu layout

MSPs and IT professionals can create a custom Start menu layout using XML and PowerShell, alongside GPO and the registry for better enforcement. Here is a step-by-step process for enforcing your Start menu configuration across devices.

📌 Prerequisites:

• Windows 10 (1703+) or Windows 11
• PowerShell 5.1+
• Admin privileges on the device or via script execution
• XML layout file defining Start menu structure

💡Tip: Check Things to look out for before proceeding.

📌 Recommended deployment strategies:

Method 1: Create and export the custom Start menu layout

In this step, you’ll design your desired Start menu layout on a reference machine and export it into an XML file for reuse.

📌 Use Cases:

• Creating a default menu with pinned applications for new hires
• Building a training machine layout for onboarding purposes

📌 Prerequisite: Clean reference machine

Steps:

1. On a clean reference machine, manually arrange the Start menu tiles, groups, and shortcuts for replication.
2. Export this layout into an XML file using this PowerShell script:

Export-StartLayout -Path “C:\StartMenuLayout\customlayout.xml”

3. Verify the exported XML for completeness and structure.

Method 2: Deploy the custom layout to target devices

Now, you’ll apply the exported XML file to target users or systems and replace the default or user-customized Start menu layout.

📌 Use Cases:

• Creating a default menu with pinned applications for new hires
• Building a training machine layout for onboarding purposes

📌 Prerequisite: System drive access

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell and run the command for the action you want to take:

1. 1. Import the layout for all users (Windows 10/11 Enterprise/Education):

Import-StartLayout -LayoutPath “C:\StartMenuLayout\customlayout.xml” -MountPath $env:SystemDrive\

1. 2. Apply layout for current user only (any edition):

Import-StartLayout -LayoutPath “C:\StartMenuLayout\customlayout.xml”

2. For persistent enforcement, use Group Policy.

Method 3: Use Group Policy to enforce or partially lock the layout

Here, you’ll apply and optionally enforce layouts across multiple devices in a domain.

📌 Use Cases:

• Enforcing a fixed Start Menu in an office environment
• Applying a partial lock so some tools are fixed, but users can customize personal apps

📌 Prerequisites:

• Active Directory environment or local GPO
• Network file share with UNC path
• Windows edition restriction (for enforced layout locking)

Steps:

1. Open Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to:

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Start Layout

3. Enable the Start Layout policy and specify the UNC path to the XML file under the Options section.
4. Apply and update the Group Policy on target devices.

⚠️ Important: The policy will behave differently on different Windows editions:

• Windows 10/11 Pro: The GPO will apply the XML layout only once, then users can freely modify the Start Menu.
• Windows 10/11 Enterprise and Education: Depending on the XML file, the GPO can lock down all or part of the Start Menu.

Method 4: Use the registry to track layout deployment

For auditing and compliance, you can use the registry to log whether the Start menu layout has been applied.

📌 Use Cases:

• Verifying layouts applied during mass rollout
• Checking for drift and reapplying the layout if missing

📌 Prerequisites:

• Registry access rights
• Script execution capability
• XML must already be applied

Steps:

1. Run this PowerShell script:

This creates a new registry key with entries that log the application status and timestamp per device.

2. Verify via CMD:

reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Org\StartLayout

Method 5: Automate deployment at scale via PowerShell script

This last method automates the Start menu deployment across many endpoints.

📌 Use Cases:

• Auto-applying layouts after imaging new laptops
• Running as a scheduled task to prevent drift
• Deploying layouts in multi-site organizations from a central RMM

📌 Prerequisites:

• Task Scheduler or RMM platform
• Network or local access to XML
• PowerShell execution policy permissions

Steps:

1. Create a script that includes layout path validation, import, and registry logging (sample script below):

2. Deploy the script via:
   • Task Scheduler to trigger at login or startup
   • RMM platforms like NinjaOne for a scripted job or policy

⚠️ Things to look out for

Why customizing the layout of the Start menu matters

Modifying the Start menu layout is a simple but effective way to improve user productivity and IT efficiency. It offers various benefits, such as the following:

• Enhanced onboarding and experience: New users start with a clean and consistent menu with only the most essential tools they need.
• Prevention of accidental changes: Administrators can partially or fully lock Start menu tiles to keep critical apps visible and accessible.
• Reinforced branding and standards: MSPs can showcase their company apps, portals, or links for a more familiar and branded user environment.
• Reduced help desk tickets: If the Start menu has everything the user needs, fewer calls will be asking for app locations, freeing IT staff to focus on higher-value tasks.
• Scalability across environments: Admins can automatically apply consistent layouts across hundreds or thousands of devices.

Additional considerations when customizing the Start menu layout for deployment

When maintaining a consistent Start menu layout, it’s important to remember some details regarding potential pitfalls, version-specific quirks, and best practices.

Start menu reset and bloatware removal

Some preloaded consumer apps or bloatware, such as games or trial software, can interfere with your custom layout by occupying tile space or reappearing after user sign-in. Consider integrating a bloatware removal script into your provisioning process. You can also run a PowerShell script before applying changes, such as:

Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Remove-AppxPackage

Per-user vs. system-wide deployment

Per-user deployment uses Import-StartLayout without -MountPath. This only applies to the currently logged-in user and does not affect future user profiles. On the other hand, system-wide deployment uses -MountPath to set the layout as the default for all new profiles. This approach is better for enterprise provisioning and onboarding.

Tile limitations and modern apps

Some applications, such as UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps, don’t tile correctly if removed, renamed, or updated in the system image. It’s best to validate your XML file against the actual system image to ensure that every app referenced is installed and available.

Windows 11 differences for customizing the start menu layout

The pinned layout structure has slight differences between Windows 10 and 11. Windows 11 introduced significant structural changes to the Start menu that affect how layouts are deployed and enforced.

• JSON schema

Import-StartLayout is deprecated in Windows 11 and should not be relied upon for Windows 11 deployments. Microsoft has moved away from XML-based layout management in Windows 11 in favor of a JSON-based approach. This means you’ll need to use LayoutModification.json instead of XML. The JSON schema only supports customization of the pinned apps list. Compared to Windows 10, you have fewer customization options since elements such as sizes and folder structures cannot be modified by the JSON command.

• Live tiles

Windows 11 removes live tiles entirely, as the Start menu is arranged in a fixed grid with static pinned app icons. Deploying an XML layout built that references tile sizes will not translate to Windows 11.

• Recommended apps

The Start menu is divided into two sections in Windows 11. One section contains Pinned apps, which are apps chosen by the user, and Recommended apps, which are apps presented by the Windows system. Typically, Recommended apps include recently opened files and apps. You cannot fully customize Recommended apps through layout files alone, but you can disable it by using GPO.

IT administrators managing a mixed Windows environment utilizing devices running on both Windows 10 and 11 should be aware of the differences between Windows 10 and 11 when deploying a custom Start menu. Keep separate XML files for Windows 10 and Windows 11 deployments to ensure consistent and predictable layouts across mixed environments. IT teams can also leverage RMM software to automate the deployment of the correct XML or JSON files based on the OS version.

Troubleshooting common issues

Layout not applying

The XML structure might be invalid. Use a text or XML editor to validate syntax, then confirm you’re using the updated schema for pinned apps, especially in Windows 11. You should also ensure the machine is running Windows 10 version 1703 or later, as older builds lack layout support.

Users can modify the layout despite GPO

If enforcement is required, make sure to use Enterprise or Education editions, as the GPO Start layout applies only once and cannot be enforced on Windows 10/11 Pro. Additionally, use a full layout XML instead of a partial layout if a complete lockdown is required.

Import-StartLayout fails silently

In some cases, the import does not cleanly overwrite existing layouts. Before reapplying, try to reset the Start Menu for that user. The XML file might also be inaccessible, so double-check that the path is correct and the file is readable.

XML path not reachable in GPO

Verify that the XML path entered in GPO exactly matches the share name and folder structure. You should also ensure that Authenticated Users or specific security groups have read access to the share.

NinjaOne services that support custom Start menu layout deployment

Deploying Start Menu layouts at scale can be time-consuming for MSPs and IT teams without automation and compliance tracking. Here are some features from NinjaOne that can simplify the task:

Deploying a customized Start menu wisely

MSPs and IT administrators can create a custom Start menu layout using PowerShell and XML, and enforce the configuration using various deployment tools. This should help create a more consistent and productive environment for all endpoints.

Just always be aware of common issues, troubleshooting steps, and other considerations to avoid defeating the purpose of the task and confusing users.

Related topics:

• How to Add or Remove the Sign Out Option from the Start Menu in Windows 10/11
• How to Set a Default Start Layout for Users in Windows 10
• How to Manage Pinned Apps in the Windows 11 Start Menu
• How to Disable Search on the Taskbar and in the Start Menu in Windows 11
• Enable or Disable Recent Items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer in Windows 11