Windows 10 Start Menu - A Working Solution

[RobTrehy]

Anyone got any hints on disabling shift-rightclick on the start button from opening the win-x shortcut menu, and also removing the classic start menu help option from the context menu?

 

If you delete the help file in the Classic Start Menu program files folder the entry will be removed. If no entries remain, no context menu will be displayed.

[Michael]

Think i've sussed the win-x issue by hiding all of the shortcuts in the WinX folder in the default user profile, just need to get a startup script doing it for my domain, can't be bothered sysprepping again for such a small change.

 

C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX

 

EDIT - sorted:

 

attrib +H /D /S C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\*.*

 

Works as a computer startup script

 

You're right, this is how to remove the context menu, but it also means you remove it for everyone who logs into that device, including Domain Admins.

 

By default, Classic Shell will show its cut down context menu. You can then enable the Windows 10 context menu for Domain Admins/MIS Users:

 

User Config > Admin Templates > Classic Shell > Classic Start Menu - Right click opens the Windows context menu - Enabled

 

A lot simpler and you cater for the different requirements of different users.

[Michael]

Next thing is copying favourites across to the new v5 profiles, as it doesnt seem to carry anything across, just creates a new version profile... sigh

 

You can use Folder Redirection to redirect Favourites to the end user's Documents for example.

[Michael]

Got my start menu looking good thanks to all involved here! It's redirected, and my "all programs" folder is also redirected. Is there anyway to remove the default apps on the start menu?

 

E.g.

Maps

People

Calculator

Alarms & Clock

Snipping Tool

Paint

Sticky Notes

 

Will I need applocker for this?

 

This is how I tackled the Pin/frequently used program area of the Start Menu -

 

Enable the following GPO -

 

User Config > Policies > Admin Templates > Classic Shell > Classic Start Menu - Show recent or frequent programs - Enabled, lock the value and specify Don't show. At this stage when logging on, the Start Menu will appear blank.

 

Within your existing Folder Redirection setup, for example: \\Servername\Share\Start Menu, create a folder labelled Pinned: \\Servername\Share\Pinned. Copy/paste all your shortcuts within here.

 

Now navigate to User Config > Preferences > Windows Settings > Files

 

Specify the source as:

\\servername\share\Pinned\Computer.lnk

 

Specify the destination as:

%appdata%\ClassicShell\Pinned\Computer.lnk

 

Specify the source as:

\\servername\share\Pinned\Microsoft Word 2016.lnk

 

Specify the destination as:

%appdata%\ClassicShell\Pinned\Microsoft Word 2016.lnk

 

Repeat the process for each shortcut required. When the user logs on, they'll see a clean Start Menu with just the shortcuts you've specified.

[cogrady84]

You're right, this is how to remove the context menu, but it also means you remove it for everyone who logs into that device, including Domain Admins.

 

By default, Classic Shell will show its cut down context menu. You can then enable the Windows 10 context menu for Domain Admins/MIS Users:

 

User Config > Admin Templates > Classic Shell > Classic Start Menu - Right click opens the Windows context menu - Enabled

 

A lot simpler and you cater for the different requirements of different users.

 

My problem is shift-rightclick opens the WinX menu, and there doesnt appear to be a way to stop this.

[DJ-1701]

My problem is shift-rightclick opens the WinX menu, and there doesnt appear to be a way to stop this.

 

I know this was a work around for Windows 8 to remove certain options, but I wonder if this might help.

 

As for removing the right click options on the Windows logo, the folder WinX is copied over from the Default profile for new logins... so I did the following before new users logged in:

 

md "C:\Users\Hidden\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows"
attrib "C:\Users\Hidden" +H
move "C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX" "C:\Users\Hidden\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX"

 

Hope this is of some help.

 

Eep: Sorry, just bothered to read the above posts on here and see you have effectively already done that.

Edited February 8, 2016 by DJ-1701

[Michael]

My problem is shift-rightclick opens the WinX menu, and there doesnt appear to be a way to stop this.

 

Try this GPO, see if it does the trick -

 

User Config > Policies > Admin Templates > Classic Shell > Class Start Menu - Shift+Click opens

[cogrady84]

Try this GPO, see if it does the trick -

 

User Config > Policies > Admin Templates > Classic Shell > Class Start Menu - Shift+Click opens

 

I already have that one set to open the classic start menu, doesn't affect shift-rightclick unfortunately.

[Michael]

I already have that one set to open the classic start menu, doesn't affect shift-rightclick unfortunately.

 

Unfortunately it just isn't possible with Classic Shell, but it is possible with Group Policy:

 

User Config > Preferences > Windows Settings > Files.

 

Specify 'Delete' from the drop down menu, then in turn specify:

 

%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group1\*.*

%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group2\*.*

%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group3\*.*

 

Leave the folder structure 'as is', otherwise Windows will just re-create the WinX folder and its default shortcuts. This is the only method whereby you can completely hide the context menu, even when pressing Win+X or Shift+RightClick. The other advantage is you can do this on a per user basis, so you don't lock everyone out of the context menu who may need it.

[timbo343]

After a bit of playing with Classic Shell i have the following attached (many thanks to @Michael for finding this), which took about 30 mins to configure, however i am getting stuck on Right Clicking on the Windows Icon of the Start Menu. I cannot find out where to remove this context menu (the ==classic start menu == ) options as it's to do with Classic Shell, not the stock windows start menu. This will give users access to all users. I have it set on windows 7 so they cannot right click on this however does the same setting apply to CLassic Shell?

 

Can anyone help?

Edited February 11, 2016 by timbo343

[Michael]

The Open All Users is related to:

 

User Config > Policies > Admin Templates > Start Menu & Taskbar -

 

Remove common program groups from Start Menu - enabled

Remove All Programs list from the Start Menu - enabled

[Michael]

Just to confirm the WinX removal method I posted here works 100%. Removes it for end users, but maintains it for Domain Admins.

[timbo343]

The Open All Users is related to:

 

User Config > Policies > Admin Templates > Start Menu & Taskbar -

 

Remove common program groups from Start Menu - enabled

Remove All Programs list from the Start Menu - enabled

 

I've now set this, logged off and then back on and now getting the attached. If i click on OPEN it opens the Roaming Start menu. I guess the way to block this is to prevent access to this area but would this stop the start menu working?

[Michael]

Navigate to - User Config > Policies > Admin Templates > Classic Shell > Classic Start Menu - Enable Windows Explorer - Enabled, State: Locked to this value and then leave Enable Windows Explorer unticked.

 

This'll just leave == Classic Start Menu == greyed out and Help. Not sure if Help can be removed/hidden? Hope this helps!

[timbo343]

Navigate to - User Config > Policies > Admin Templates > Classic Shell > Classic Start Menu - Enable Windows Explorer - Enabled, State: Locked to this value and then leave Enable Windows Explorer unticked.

 

This'll just leave == Classic Start Menu == greyed out and Help. Not sure if Help can be removed/hidden? Hope this helps!

 

Thank you!!!! Now when i click on the Start Menu, i dont get anything not even the ==Classic Start Menu ==

[Michael]

Nothing at all? I can't see how you've hidden Help on the context menu.

[RobTrehy]

To remove help from the context menu, you need to the delete the help file located in the Classic Start Menu programs folder.

[timbo343]

To remove help from the context menu, you need to the delete the help file located in the Classic Start Menu programs folder.

 

Yup or just move it from the programs folder

[Michael]

To remove help from the context menu, you need to the delete the help file located in the Classic Start Menu programs folder.

 

Ahh clever stuff - delete or rename: C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicShell.chm

[ITGURU]

Hello all,

 

After battling for what seems weeks/months trying to get a redirected Start Menu working, I gave up and instead I'm now using Classic Shell successfully. This took one afternoon to read the notes, make the necessary configurations and test.

 

You can download Classic Shell here. The latest at the time of writing is 4.2.5 and works perfectly on Windows 10240 and 10586 builds.

 

To extract the MSI, run the following from an elevated Command Prompt for 32 or 64 instances:

 

ClassicShellSetup_4_2_5.exe extract32

or

 

ClassicShellSetup_4_2_5.exe extract64

 

Install Classic Shell manually on one domain connected workstation. Then navigate to:

 

C:\Program Files\Classic Shell

and open/extract the contents of the PolicyDefinitions Zip file.

 

Copy/paste this into your Policy Definitions folder on your server, located:

 

C:\Windows\SYSVOL\sysvol\Domain_Name\Policies\PolicyDefinitions

 

Open up Group Policy and you'll see a new option labelled Classic Shell under:

 

User Config > Policies > Admin Templates > Classic Shell

 

Computer Config > Policies > Admin Templates > Classic Shell

 

As a recommendation (in my configuration), I've created two new GPOs - Classic Shell Curric and Classic Shell Admin. As the name suggests, Curric is suitable for Pupils/Teachers and Admin, either Domain Admins and/or MIS Staff.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]33816[/ATTACH]

 

Above I've attached the GPOs I've configured, which you can easily import, then link into your Group Policies. All the GPOs I've configured focus on the user context and not the computer context. It's a Zip file and is 100% free from viruses (I can promise you that)!

 

Most configurations are using the newly imported Classic Shell GPOs. Some settings however cannot be configured by a GPO, so the remainder are done by a GPP regedit to import additional settings. Additional settings for example, included removing the Games option from the Windows 7 Start Menu.

 

To import a GPO, create the GPOs (as per my example above), then under Group Policy Objects, right click Classic Shell Curric (for example), then select Import and follow the on screen prompts. Now link the newly created GPO as required.

 

What to expect?

 

Here's what the Curric Start Menu looks like:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]33817[/ATTACH]

 

The Admin Start Menu looks the same, apart from it has Control Panel, PC Settings > Administrative Tools and Run (to name a few)!

 

Hi

Once the classic shell is deployed to the PCs do you have to delete the 'Classic Shell' entry out of the start menu so the users don't see it?

Thanks.

[Michael]

Do you mean on the context menu? Technically (depending how far you go), it's either greyed out or the context menu is unavailable altogether.

 

When I started this topic, the downloads I've provided still work pretty well, but I've since tweaked it some more from feedback from others, or to improve it further. It's still a respectable solution even if you do little/nothing to what I originally uploaded.

 

If enough people want it, I can upload a revised version with additional instructions (if that helps) to what I'm using now?

[ITGURU]

Do you mean on the context menu? Technically (depending how far you go), it's either greyed out or the context menu is unavailable altogether.

 

When I started this topic, the downloads I've provided still work pretty well, but I've since tweaked it some more from feedback from others, or to improve it further. It's still a respectable solution even if you do little/nothing to what I originally uploaded.

 

If enough people want it, I can upload a revised version with additional instructions (if that helps) to what I'm using now?

 

I mean when the users logon and go to Start, all Progams, Classic shell is listed in there, in the programs list.

[Michael]

I mean when the users logon and go to Start, all Progams, Classic shell is listed in there, in the programs list.

 

Please see here. You need to enable these additional Windows policies.

[altecsole]

If enough people want it, I can upload a revised version with additional instructions (if that helps) to what I'm using now?

 

Yes please; I'd find that very useful.

[Michael]

OK here goes - everything in my original post here is still applicable, but please download these updated GPOs - Classic Shell 12.02.16.zip.

 

NOTE: Within the attachment, I've also included a folder labelled Pinned. Copy/paste this to the required Start Menu Folder Redirection share or use your own shortcuts.

 

For example: \\Servername\Share\Curric\Start Menu\Pinned etc...

 

You need to change or remove the UNC paths to match your servername and share. This applies to both Classic Shell Admin and Classic Shell Curric to Pin Apps on the Start Menu.

 

User Config > Preferences > Windows Settings > Files

 

Adjust this and that's it. Happy Classic Shelling