Prevent users from customizing their Start Screen

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows2000, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2003, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016, WindowsVista, WindowsXP

This policy setting allows you to prevent users from changing their Start screen layout. If you enable this setting, you will prevent a user from selecting an app, resizing a tile, pinning/unpinning a tile or a secondary tile, entering the customize mode and rearranging tiles within Start and Apps. If you disable or do not configure this setting, you will allow a user to select an app, resize a tile, pin/unpin a tile or a secondary tile, enter the customize mode and rearrange tiles within Start and Apps.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• User
  Add "Run in Separate Memory Space" check box to Run dialog box

  At least Windows 2000
• User
  Add Logoff to the Start Menu

  Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000
• User
  Add Search Internet link to Start Menu

  Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7
• User
  Add the Run command to the Start Menu

  Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Vista
• User
  Change Start Menu power button

  Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7
• User
  Clear history of recently opened documents on exit

  At least Windows 2000
• User
  Clear the recent programs list for new users

  Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows 10