How to Show Most Used Apps List on the Windows 11 Start Menu

The most used apps list in your Windows 11 Start Menu offers a handy shortcut to frequent programs, yet hiding it can be essential for privacy on shared devices or for maintaining a clean, corporate interface.

This guide provides clear instructions for both scenarios, covering everything from a simple settings toggle to advanced enterprise deployment. You will learn how to show or hide this list using Settings, Registry Editor, Group Policy, and PowerShell, ensuring you can tailor the feature to any need.

Methods to show or hide the most used apps in the Windows 11 Start Menu

Administrators and users can control the Windows 11 Start Menu’s most used apps list through Settings, Registry Editor, or Group Policy to meet privacy, policy, or preference needs.

📌Use case: Key reasons include enforcing privacy on shared devices, standardizing Start Menu presentation for a consistent user experience, supporting organizational UI policies, and allowing user customization where appropriate.

📌Prerequisites: Before proceeding, ensure you have these essentials:

• All methods: A Windows 11 system.
• Settings app (Methods 1 & 2): A user account that can modify personalization settings.
• Registry Editor: Local administrator privileges.
• Group Policy: Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise/Education and local admin rights.

Method 1: Use Settings to show/hide most used apps

The Settings app provides the simplest way to show or hide the most-used apps list directly within Windows 11’s personalization options.

📌Use case: Use this approach for quick, personal customization on any Windows 11 edition, as it requires no advanced tools and applies changes instantly to your account.

Step-by-step procedure:

1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Personalization > Start.
3. Toggle the “Show most used apps” switch On to display the list or Off to hide it from the start menu.
4. Open the Start Menu to confirm the change.

After completing these steps, the most used apps list will immediately appear or disappear from the top section of your Start Menu.

Method 2: Adjust Start Menu privacy settings

Adjusting a core privacy setting controls the data collection that powers the most used apps list in Windows 11.

📌Use case: Use this if the main toggle in Start settings is grayed out, or to fundamentally disable activity tracking for privacy, which also hides the most used apps list.

Step-by-step procedure:

1. Open Settings (Windows Key + I).
2. Go to Privacy & security > General.
3. Toggle the “Let Windows improve Start and search results by tracking app launches” switch On or Off.
4. Return to Personalization > Start; the main toggle will now be active if tracking is On.

This is the master data switch. Turning it Off stops collection, so the list cannot populate. For advanced control, IT pros can refer to the next method for disabling tracking via the Registry.

Method 3: Configure via Registry Editor

The Registry Editor allows direct system-level control to permanently show or hide the most used apps list in Windows 11.

📌Use case: This is an advanced technique for IT admins scripting deployments, users on Windows 11 Home, or anyone needing a persistent configuration that standard users cannot change.

⚠️Warning: Misconfiguration of the Windows Registry can cause system instability. Read this guide on how to back up your registry.

Step-by-step procedure:

1. Open the Registry Editor (Win + R, type regedit). Back up the registry first.
2. Navigate to a key based on your goal:
   • Option A: Enforce visibility for all users (requires local administrator rights)
     1. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
        • If the Explorer key is missing, right-click the Windows key, select New > Key, and name it Explorer.
     2. In the right pane, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named ShowOrHideMostUsedApps.
     3. Set its value to:
        • 1 – Always show the list
        • 2 – Always hide the list
     4. This policy overrides user settings and locks the toggle.
   • Option B: Control app tracking for the current user (Affects only the signed-in user profile)
     1. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
     2. In the right pane, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named Start_TrackProgs.
     3. Set its value to:
        • 1 – Enable app launch tracking (list populates)
        • 0 – Disable tracking (list remains empty)
3. Sign out and sign back in (or restart Windows Explorer) for the changes to take effect.

This edits the binary values Windows checks at startup. The HKLM path sets a machine-wide policy that overrides user settings.

The HKCU path (Start_TrackProgs) controls the core tracking service; setting it to 0 disables the data source, effectively hiding the most used apps start menu list.

The change is immediate after a session restart and is very difficult for standard users to alter.

Method 4: Use Group Policy for enterprise enforcement

For Active Directory domain‑joined Windows 11 devices, Group Policy Objects (GPOs) provide the most scalable method to enforce a standardized most used apps configuration across users and computers.

📌Use case: Deploy this in domain environments (Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise/Education) to consistently show or hide the most used apps start menu list for all users in a specific organizational unit (OU) and prevent them from changing it.

Step-by-step procedure:

1. Open Group Policy Management Console (GPMC):
   • On a domain controller, use Server Manager > Tools > Group Policy Management.
   • Or install RSAT on your admin workstation and launch GPMC.
2. Create and link a new GPO:
   • Right‑click the target OU and select Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here…
   • Name the GPO (e.g., Start Menu – Most Used Apps Policy).
3. Configure the policy setting:
   • Right‑click the new GPO and select Edit.
   • Navigate to User Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar.
   • Double‑click Show or hide ‘Most used’ list from Start menu, set it to Enabled, and choose Show or Hide in the Options section.
   • Click Apply and OK.
4. Apply the policy:
   • Client computers refresh Group Policy automatically; to force an immediate update, run gpupdate /force on any target machine.

The most used apps list is now enforced according to your selection. Users see a grayed‑out toggle in Settings with the message “Some settings are managed by your organization” and cannot override the policy.

For non-domain environments:

Use the PowerShell scripting method (Method 5) and deploy it via an RMM system like NinjaOne to achieve consistent configuration across all managed endpoints.

Method 5: Control list visibility with PowerShell

PowerShell provides a scriptable method for IT professionals to programmatically control the most used apps list, perfect for automation and deployment.

📌Use case: Use PowerShell for scripting large-scale deployments, remote management, or integrating this setting into automated setup packages.

Step-by-step procedure:

1. Run Windows PowerShell as Administrator.
2. To show the list for all users:

$path = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer"
if (-not (Test-Path $path)) {
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
}
New-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name "ShowOrHideMostUsedApps" -Value 1 -Force

3. To hide the list for all users:

New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" -Name "ShowOrHideMostUsedApps" -Value 0 -Force

4. To disable tracking for the current user (hiding the list):

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" -Name "Start_TrackProgs" -Value 0

5. Apply changes immediately by restarting Explorer:
   • Stop Windows Explorer:

Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force

• • Restart Windows Explorer:

Start-Process explorer

⚠️Important: Your screen will go blank, and the taskbar will disappear temporarily, but this is normal. Windows Explorer controls the UI and will restart automatically within seconds. This is a safe, standard way to refresh Windows without a reboot.

These commands modify the same registry keys as manual edits. The HKLM path enforces a machine-wide policy, while the HKCU path (Start_TrackProgs) controls the data source.

After execution, the list visibility is set according to your command and is instantly applied.

Verification step: Validate Start Menu behavior

After configuring the most used apps list, verifying the change ensures your settings are applied correctly.

📌Use case: Always perform this check immediately after making changes via any method to confirm the most used apps list is visibly shown or hidden as intended.

Step-by-step procedure:

1. Visual check.
   • Open the Start Menu and click “All apps.” A “Most used” section at the top means the list is visible.
     • Its absence means it is successfully hidden from the start menu.
2. Check the core setting.
   • If the list is enabled but empty, confirm the privacy data source is on.
     • Go to Settings > Privacy & security > General.
     • Ensure “Let Windows improve Start… by tracking app launches” is On.
3. Refresh the interface.
   • If the change doesn’t appear, restart the Windows Explorer process via Task Manager to instantly refresh the Start Menu without a full reboot.

A proper verification confirms your configuration is active. If the list behaves as expected, the process is complete. If not, the troubleshooting steps typically resolve common issues by refreshing the interface or addressing conflicting policies.

Additional considerations when configuring the Most Used Apps list

Several key technical factors influence the most used apps list in Windows 11, from core dependencies to administrative control.

Core privacy dependency

The list requires app launch tracking to be enabled at Settings > Privacy & security > General (“Let Windows improve Start… by tracking app launches”). If this is disabled by policy or choice, the list cannot populate. Disabling this tracking also minimizes local forensic data.

Placement and user control

In Windows 11, the list is not on the main Start page. Click “All apps” to find the “Most used” section at the top. You can right-click any app there and select More > Don’t show in this list for granular control without disabling the feature.

Policy and stability notes

Group Policy Object (GPO) settings always override user preferences and can lock the toggle. The list is user-scoped and doesn’t sync across devices. After major Windows updates, settings may revert, requiring reconfiguration.

Troubleshooting common Start Menu Issues

Here are solutions to common issues when managing the most-used apps list in your Windows 11 Start Menu.

The Toggle is grayed out or missing

This usually means the feature’s data source is disabled or a policy is active. First, navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > General and ensure “Let Windows improve Start and search results by tracking app launches” is turned On. If the toggle remains locked, a system policy is likely enforcing the setting.

IT administrators should check for a Group Policy override or the NoChangeStartMenu registry value at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explore.

The list is enabled but doesn’t appear

In Windows 11, the list has a specific location. It does not show on the main Start screen. Click the “All apps” button; the “Most used” section will be at the top of the alphabetical list.

If it’s still empty, ensure tracking is enabled (as above) and allow time for usage data to accumulate after launching apps.

Start Menu is unresponsive or changes don’t apply

A simple refresh of the Windows Shell often fixes this. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find “Windows Explorer,” right-click it, and select Restart. This reloads the Start Menu without a full reboot.

For persistent corruption, creating a new user profile can determine if the issue is system-wide.

Registry or Policy changes have no effect

If a registry edit doesn’t work, confirm you modified the correct key for your context (e.g., HKCU for the current user). Remember that Group Policy (GPO) settings always take precedence and will override registry tweaks under HKCU.

After any registry or GPO change, always sign out and back in or restart the computer for it to take full effect.

Standardize Start Menu configurations with NinjaOne services

NinjaOne enables IT administrators to automate and standardize Start Menu configuration across all managed Windows 11 endpoints.

• Automates policy enforcement.
  • Write PowerShell scripts that modify registry keys or apply policy settings for the most used apps list, then use NinjaOne’s policy-based automation to execute them across managed Windows 11 endpoints during onboarding, at login, or on a scheduled basis.
• Uses script-based management.
  • Applies configurations consistently via policy-based automation and a library of native scripts.
• Offers flexible deployment.
  • Initiate automations on-demand, through policies, or on a scheduled basis, all triggered directly from the NinjaOne system rather than client-side events.

Read NinjaOne RMM FAQs to learn more.

Optimize the Start Menu’s Most Used Apps list for a streamlined Windows 11 experience

Effectively managing the most used apps list is crucial for tailoring the Start Menu to serve individual productivity needs or enforcing broad organizational IT standards.

As demonstrated, control can range from a simple toggle in Settings for personal preference to powerful scripted deployments via Group Policy and PowerShell for enterprise-wide uniformity.

Ultimately, having command over this feature ensures your desktop environment aligns precisely with your goals, whether that’s maximizing user convenience, upholding strict privacy, or maintaining a consistent corporate image.

Related topics:

• How to Manage Pinned Apps in the Windows 11 Start Menu
• How to Customize the Windows 10 Start Menu
• Deploy Custom Start Menu Layout Using PowerShell
• How to Add or Remove Recently Added Apps on the Start Menu in Windows 10
• How to Clear the Recommended Section in the Start Menu in Windows 11