[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "is%20there%20an%20option%20for%20accessing%20all%20programs%20in%20windows%2011%20in%20the%20start%20menu%20like%20there%20was%20in%20windows%2010%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "In short: Windows 11 *does* have an \"All apps\" view in the Start menu, much like Windows 10 did\u2014but it doesn\u2019t natively allow you to skip the pinned/recommended apps section and always land directly on the full list of apps when opening Start. However, Microsoft is gradually adding more customization options in recent updates. Here\u2019s how it works currently, what Microsoft is changing, and what workaround options exist.\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udccb How Start Menu Works in Windows 11 Now\n\n- When you press the Windows key or click the Start button, the menu opens with **pinned apps** and a **Recommended** section (recent/frequent items). To see all your installed programs, you then must click the **\u201cAll apps\u201d** button near the top-right of the Start menu. ([u3ahavelocknorth.com](https://www.u3ahavelocknorth.com/uploads/2/3/4/1/2341027/windows_11_start_menu.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n- The All apps view shows everything alphabetically, similar to Windows 10. ([u3ahavelocknorth.com](https://www.u3ahavelocknorth.com/uploads/2/3/4/1/2341027/windows_11_start_menu.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n- There is a setting to *show or hide* the \u201capp list\u201d itself (i.e. the \u201cAll apps\u201d section) in Start via *Settings \u2192 Personalization \u2192 Start*. When toggled off, that section is hidden. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/personalization/customize-the-windows-start-menu?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd27 Recent Updates: More Control\n\nMicrosoft is responding to feedback and is adding more flexibility:\n\n- Newer versions (e.g. Windows 11 version **26H2**) are introducing settings that let you independently show or hide various sections of the Start menu\u2014Pinned apps, Recommended items, or the All Apps list. ([windowscentral.com](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/7-features-im-most-excited-to-use-on-windows-11-version-26h2?utm_source=openai))  \n- There are also settings in the Start menu personalization page to adjust layout, visibility of certain elements, and so on. These updates improve control over the look and behavior of Start. ([windowscentral.com](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/hands-on-windows-11-customizable-start-menu-2026?utm_source=openai))  \n\nSo depending on what version of Windows 11 you have, you might already be able to suppress those extra sections and get closer to a simplified \u201cAll apps first\u201d layout.\n\n---\n\n### \u26a0\ufe0f Limitation\n\n- Even with the new revisions, there is *no official switch* that allows Windows 11 to always open the Start menu directly into the All apps list\u2014i.e. bypassing the pinned and recommended sections entirely\u2014at least not yet. ([geekchamp.com](https://geekchamp.com/how-to-show-all-apps-by-default-in-start-menu-on-windows-11/?utm_source=openai))  \n- This limitation has been a frequent complaint among users. ([techcommunity.microsoft.com](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-11/windows-11-start-button-menu-make-it-show-all-apps-by-default/m-p/4052230?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udee0\ufe0f Workarounds\n\nIf the built-in settings don\u2019t do what you want, there are third-party or tweaking options:\n\n- **ExplorerPatcher**: A third-party utility that can restore the Windows 10\u2013style Start menu behavior, including showing all apps by default. ([techcommunity.microsoft.com](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-11/windows-11-start-button-menu-make-it-show-all-apps-by-default/m-p/4052230?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Windhawk**: A mod tool with a plugin (\"Show all apps by default in Start menu\") that can force Windows 11 to show all apps immediately upon opening Start. ([techcommunity.microsoft.com](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-11/windows-11-start-button-menu-make-it-show-all-apps-by-default/m-p/4052230?utm_source=openai))  \n\nThese are unofficial and may have trade-offs (stability, security, updates), so use with care.\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me which version of Windows 11 you\u2019re using (e.g. **21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H1, etc.**), I can walk you through precisely what settings are available on *your* OS to make your Start menu behave more like what you remember from Windows 10."
    }
]