How to Disable Microsoft Start: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Introduction

Microsoft Start is a feature in Windows 10 that helps you quickly find the programs, settings, and files you need. While it can be useful for some users, others may find it intrusive or unnecessary. If you want to disable Microsoft Start from appearing on your screen, there are several ways to do so. This article will provide a step-by-step guide for beginners on how to disable Microsoft Start.

Use the Windows Settings Menu

The simplest way to disable Microsoft Start is by using the Windows Settings menu. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Settings menu by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.

2. Select “Personalization” from the list of options.

3. Select “Start” from the left pane.

4. Under “Choose which folders appear on Start”, turn off the toggle switch next to “Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar”.

5. Close the Windows Settings menu.

Modify the Windows Registry

You can also modify the Windows registry to disable Microsoft Start. Be aware that making changes to the Windows registry can be dangerous if done incorrectly, so proceed with caution. To modify the Windows registry, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run window.

2. Type “regedit” into the text box and press Enter.

3. Navigate to the following location in the registry editor: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage.

4. Right click the “StartPage” folder and select “Permissions” from the dropdown menu.

5. Select “Deny” for all users listed under “Permission Entries”.

6. Click “OK” to save the changes.

7. Close the registry editor.

Use Group Policy Editor

If you have access to the Group Policy Editor, you can use it to disable Microsoft Start. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run window.

2. Type “gpedit.msc” into the text box and press Enter.

3. Navigate to the following location in the Group Policy Editor: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar.

4. Double click “Disable the People button on the taskbar” and select “Enabled”.

5. Click “OK” to save the changes.

6. Close the Group Policy Editor.

Utilize Command Prompt Commands

You can also disable Microsoft Start using Command Prompt commands. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Type the following command into the Command Prompt window and press Enter: REG ADD “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage” /V NoStartPage /T REG_DWORD /D 1

3. Close the Command Prompt window.

Download a Third-Party Application

Finally, you can download a third-party application to disable Microsoft Start. There are several applications available, such as Start Killer and Start Menu 8. These applications allow you to customize the Windows Start menu, including disabling Microsoft Start. To use one of these applications, follow these steps:

1. Download and install the third-party application of your choice.

2. Launch the application and select “Disable Microsoft Start” from the list of options.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several ways to disable Microsoft Start. You can use the Windows Settings menu, modify the Windows registry, utilize the Group Policy Editor, issue Command Prompt commands, or download a third-party application. Whichever method you choose, you should now have a better understanding of how to disable Microsoft Start.