Solved configure start screen for all users

Hi all, I would like to configure the start screen to display some installed apps by default for all users accounts. For example I want every user on my computer to have Office in the start screen by default as they will want it anyway. How do I do this? I have seen lots of suggestion for adding to the application data start menu folder but that didn't work... also I tried default users profile without success...Surely there must be a way? How am I meant to do this?

Ok, so I have looked some more and I still can't find a way to do this. All I want to do is propagate the the start screen with commonly used applications that everyone will want. I realize that the programs are installed to the all apps screen and users can pin them if they want, but surely there is a better way that doesn't waste employees time? And for that matter assume this knowledge prior to doing so....

This is crazy, why can't I install an appliction for all users and have it appear on everyones start screen. This must be possible, else windows 8 I fear is in big trouble in enterprise....

Enterprises can side load LOB Apps to All Users but they need a side load license.

How to Add and Remove Apps

I haven't come across any information that shows the ability to install Windows Store Apps to all users.

R0bR said:

Enterprises can side load LOB Apps to All Users but they need a side load license.

How to Add and Remove Apps

I haven't come across any information that shows the ability to install Windows Store Apps to all users.

Click to expand...

Hi RobR,
Thanks for the reply, so you can side load LOB apps from the Store that's interesting and might be useful. What I'm really wanting to do is install genuine applications such as Adobe CS5.5 for example, I own a site license for to every PC for every user. It's a massive suite of applications and is always best to be pre-installed given it's size. How can I get this installed site wide and appearing in the metro start screen (not all apps screen) to make my users more productive?

Am I missing something?

Maybe this will help.

For Your Account Only:
C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
For All User Accounts: (must be administrator)
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

I've renamed and added shortcuts to the those folders and they show up in the Metro start menu.

EDIT: I think the way it works is:
If it's a shortcut in the Programs folder it shows up on the main Metro start screen.
If its in a subfolder in the Programs folder it only shows up on the +All Apps section.

Hi and thanks for the replies,

So you would think that C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs would be the answer but actually that doesn't work, I've been diving into this a little more and have discovered the answer lies with this file: appsFolder.itemdata-ms

This can be copied from the admin profile to the default user profile, however it will be overwritten at first logon of a new user. I know it works because setting the file to read only prevents it from being overwritten, and then the user’s gets the start screen shortcuts i've intended. However that leaves me with a read only file and I'm trying to work out how to get around that now.... I just don't want this file to be overwritten at first logon....


Any ideas on this would be greatly appreciated!

I wish I had one but that stuff is over my head. Well not so much over my head, but more that I've just never messed with it.

Hi, I am trying to do the same thing in my office also, have you found any thing else out?

where does the appsFolder.itemdata-ms file sit?

Isn't that one of the questions when you install programs - allow all users access or just you. After the fact not much chance I wouldn't think - hope I'm wrong.

You might be able to use your account and make copies then rename to other people and take out what you don't want them to have access to.

Installing as all users doesn't make a difference to the Metro start screen unfortunately, perhaps if it's a Metro app that has been specifically built with all users code but otherwise no. This is because when a new user logs on for the first time it creates a fresh version of the "appsFolder.itemdata-ms" file somehow. So far the only option I have come up with is to copy the version from the admin account where I customised the start screen over to the default profile, then set the file to be read only. (Preventing the overwrite at first logon)

Obviously this will stop the user from making changes to the start screen and that's not ideal, but you could script a runonce or something to remove the read only after first logon... It's a real pain in the @#$! i have to say... Microsoft should know better than this....

Sorry just popped back to the forum and realized I didn't quite answer a question fully, the location is:
C:\Users\YOURPROFILESNAMEHERE\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\

You can copy the appsFolder.itemdata-ms file to the default profile in the same location and set it to read only....with the obvious limitation of it being read only....

Below is a link to MS with a great deal of guff on ways to do this properly, all be it more complicated =)

Have a look under "Copy the AppFolderLayout.Bin file to set default Start screen layout" here:
How to Customize the Start Screen