Why your W11 22H2 Start Menu customizations don't work

[garlin]

Michael Niehaus explains why the different Start Menu customizations don't work for W11 22H2. Copying start.bin (or start2.bin) is effective, but obviously you can't customize it without an existing W11 desktop -- nor can you see what's inside.

Why does Windows 11 make Start menu layout so hard?

 

[crypticus]

I think Start.bin is for users that is going to be created as new. Start2.bin is to override that previous one and for existing users? I checked my method I was always placing both of them with my script so idk what does what really.

 

[garlin]

start2.bin is 22H2's version of start.bin. My understanding is if you import start.bin, it will be resaved as start2.bin.
22H2 supports App folders, and probably the reason why it's renamed because you don't want to switch layouts in the wrong direction.

 

[squally2k47]

best way to customize start menu pins is through registry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Start]
"ConfigureStartPins"="{\"pinnedList\":[{\"desktopAppId\":\"Chrome\"},{\"packagedAppId\":\"windows.immersivecontrolpanel_cw5n1h2txyewy!microsoft.windows.immersivecontrolpanel\"},{\"desktopAppId\":\"Microsoft.Windows.Explorer\"}]}"

in this case this will be pinned:
chrome, settings, and file explorer.

 

[crypticus]

I think thats not a good way policymanager? what about home editions... No one cares about performance will use pro edition.

 

[squally2k47]

I think thats not a good way policymanager? what about home editions... No one cares about performance will use pro edition.

some policies work on home, havent tested this one tho