Another Windows 10 Start Menu thread...

[Jason1975]

*Not sure why the post is killing the text paragraph, but hope it is not too unkind on the eyes! *Good morning everyone.We replaced one of our IT rooms With Windows 10 machines, and having issues with the apps.Windows is ver 1803 build 17134.590. We are essentially trying to remove all the apps so students can't access the rubbish Microsoft now pre installs. On a side note, this is concerning that students can even run these things as we have a GPO policy that allows only specified programs.Regardless, at the very least I am trying to hide the shortcuts.I have tried the following:Redirected start menu using XML and Classic shell - The menus work, but the Apps folder is somehow added to this.I have tried various local GPO settings as well but no change in the result.I have tried a powershell script that is meant to uninstall all the apps, but this seemed user specific so did not achieve what we needed for all users and the shortcut folder was still there.I have been trying solutions over 2 days and getting a little frustrated why something so simple in Windows 7 is a nightmare in Windows 10!I have attached 2 photos taken with my phone due to the screenshot software restrictions on the Exam test account.Many thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!Jason

Edited February 27, 2019 by Jason1975
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[DaveTheTech]

I have followed the Classic Shell thread thats here on EduGeek. I redirected the start menu, as you do in windows 7, to cahnge the content. Then used Classic Shell to alter the appearance.

I used a slightly eddited version of the group policy thats available in that thread.

[CTGeorgeW]

Also having this issue. We have tried everything...

 

We removed the apps and their files from the image before we imaged the PC, but windows updates caused the apps to be reinstalled! We even tried a logon script that uninstalls these apps per user basis yet this still doesn't work.

[Jason1975]

It really is a pain and seems as though MS may have recently changed how the apps work.I tried the power shell script that used to remove apps, but it now errors and says the app can't be uninstalled for all users.Our classic shell is redirecting correctly and working, but it is randomly adding that Apps folder.

[DaveTheTech]

Have you set the "Show Apps Menu" setting to disabled?

[Jason1975]

Here are the settings we have tried.

[DaveTheTech]

Do you have the Apps shortcut in your redirected folder?

My policy has it set to enabled, but I dont have the shortcut in the folder.

[Bezwick]

Use the LTSC version of Windows 10, it solves all these issues. That's what we've done. As it has no Start screen, no apps store, no unwanted apps and no Microsoft edge.

[Jason1975]

Do you have the Apps shortcut in your redirected folder?My policy has it set to enabled, but I dont have the shortcut in the folder.

No we do not. It is being placed in there by Windows 10 even though the folder does not exist in the redirected start menu.

[NumberSix]

Use the LTSC version of Windows 10, it solves all these issues. That's what we've done. As it has no Start screen, no apps store, no unwanted apps and no Microsoft edge.

 

I've read lots of arguments against using Windows 10 LTSC and lots for using it. I've been testing with Windows 10 2019 LTSC for the last two months after spending too much time setting up and struggling with Windows 10 Education and all its bloat (not to mention the worry about future feature releases!). So far I'm very happy with Windows 10 2019 LTSC and planning on rolling this out throughout the school this year (after some more fine tweaking and testing).

[kennysarmy]

Use the LTSC version of Windows 10, it solves all these issues. That's what we've done. As it has no Start screen, no apps store, no unwanted apps and no Microsoft edge.

 

Same. Happy Days.

 

(For now)

[Rob_D]

Have you tried using Decrapifier to get rid of all the junk off the start menu.

 

We run Win10 edu (1809) and the decrapifier script was working fine for us last week. (redirected start menu without classic shell for us)

[Jason1975]

Hi RobThanks for the info - I found that thread this morning so hearing you have tried it is good news. Just to confirm - Does it remove the Apps folder from your redirected start menu?Many thanks

[Rob_D]

We don't have an "Apps" folder in our start menu, but I'm not sure there was one to start with, it might be part of the classicshell start menu which we don't use.

[Jason1975]

Use the LTSC version of Windows 10, it solves all these issues. That's what we've done. As it has no Start screen, no apps store, no unwanted apps and no Microsoft edge.

I have installed a test version of LTSC and this I think is going to work well for us.Just need to install our core software to make sure everything works well and get a start menu working.Many thanks for this suggestion

[Rob_D]

If you're using LTSC remember you'll need to install little things like the windows calculator and photo viewer (or live without them I suppose).

[Jason1975]

Thanks for the advice Rob.I downloaded the new LTSC build and I have been pleasantly surprised after reading mixed reviews online.So far it is running all our school software, including some obscure coding software we use. Start menu is working a treat and the APPS folder is GONE!Need to roll out Impero to see if that works but so far things are looking pretty positive.

[mavhc]

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-IT-Pro-Blog/LTSC-What-is-it-and-when-should-it-be-used/ba-p/293181

 

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-IT-Pro-Blog/Changes-to-Office-and-Windows-servicing-and-support/ba-p/151509

 

Effective January 14, 2020, ProPlus will no longer be supported on the following versions of Windows:

Any Windows 10 LTSC release

[kennysarmy]

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-IT-Pro-Blog/LTSC-What-is-it-and-when-should-it-be-used/ba-p/293181

 

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-IT-Pro-Blog/Changes-to-Office-and-Windows-servicing-and-support/ba-p/151509

 

Effective January 14, 2020, ProPlus will no longer be supported on the following versions of Windows:

Any Windows 10 LTSC release

 

Is that not a good thing! HAHA - if I read it correctly it means that I'll be responsible for updating which version of Office I want rolled out across my organisation rather than MS upgrading when new versions (unlikely to be on the SIMS compatible list) come out...

[Jason1975]

Is that not a good thing! HAHA - if I read it correctly it means that I'll be responsible for updating which version of Office I want rolled out across my organisation rather than MS upgrading when new versions (unlikely to be on the SIMS compatible list) come out...

Kenny, I also read that article - Do you think it means other versions of office will potentially no longer run on LTSC or that it just won't support updating them any longer?