Administrative Tools - Hide or Show in Windows 8

Hide or Show Administrative Tools on "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
Administrative tools in the Administrative Tools folder in Control Panel help system administrators and advanced users manage system settings, view system information, troubleshoot problems, and more.

This tutorial will show you how to hide or show administrative tools on your Start screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.


In Windows 8 and Windows RT, administrative tools will show on the Start screen if turned on.

In Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, administrative tools will show on Apps view of the Start screen if turned on.

Note   Note
The Administrative Tools folder is located at:

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools


If this hidden Administrative Tools folder is missing, then it may cause you not to be able to hide the Administrative Tools on your Start or Apps screen until this Administrative Tools folder is restored and a restart of the PC.


Some common administrative tools in this folder include:

Component Services - Configure and administer Component Object Model (COM) components. Component Services is designed for use by developers and administrators.

Computer Management - Manage local or remote computers by using a single, consolidated desktop tool. Using Computer Management, system administrators can perform many tasks, such as monitoring system events, configuring hard drives, and managing system performance.

Defragment and Optimize Drives - Use Defragment and Optimize drives to help your computer run more efficiently. Windows automatically defragments and optimizes drives as part of regular maintenance.

Disk Cleanup - Reduce the number of unnecessary files on your computer's drives. It deletes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes many other items that you might no longer need. Windows automatically runs Disk Cleanup as part of regular maintenance.

Event Viewer - View information about significant events, such as a program starting or stopping, or a security error, which is recorded in event logs. This information is mostly used by administrators and advanced users to track down specific events for troubleshooting.

iSCSI Initiator - Configure advanced connections between storage devices on a network.

Local Security Policy - View and edit Group Policy security settings.

ODBC Data Sources (32-bit and 64-bit) - Use Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) to move data from one type of database (a data source) to another.

Performance Monitor - View advanced system information about the central processing unit (CPU), memory, drives, and network performance. This tool can help administrators and advanced users analyze how well a computer is functioning. Another place to view this information is on the Performance tab in Task Manager.

Print Management - Manage printers and print servers on a network, and perform other administrative tasks.

Resource Monitor - See how your system resources are being used by processes and services. Resource Monitor can help you analyze unresponsive processes, identify which apps are using files, and manage processes and services.

Services - Control the different services that run in the background on your computer. You can also view this information on the Services tab in Task Manager.

System Configuration - Identify problems that might be preventing Windows from running correctly. For more info, see What is System Configuration?

System Information - View details about your computer, operating system, hardware, and software, including drivers—also known as msinfo32.exe. For more info, see What is System Information?

Task Scheduler - Schedule programs or other tasks to run automatically.

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security - Configure advanced firewall settings on both this computer and remote computers on your network.

Windows Memory Diagnostic - Check your computer's memory to see if it's functioning properly. Built on the .NET Framework, Windows PowerShell helps IT professionals and power users control and automate the administration of the Windows operating system and applications that run on Windows.

Windows Power Shell - A task-based command-line shell and scripting language designed especially for system administration.

Windows Power Shell ISE (32-bit and 64-bit) - The Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) is a host application for Windows PowerShell. In Windows PowerShell ISE, you can run commands and write, test, and debug scripts in a single Windows-based graphic user interface with multiline editing, tab completion, syntax coloring, selective execution, context-sensitive help, and support for right-to-left languages. You can use menu items and keyboard shortcuts to perform many of the same tasks that you would perform in the Windows PowerShell console.

Tip   Tip
If you set Administrative Tools to show on the Start screen in Windows 8 or Windows RT, then you might consider grouping then together and naming the group Administrative Tools for it to look better like below.


Grouped.jpg


EXAMPLE: Show Administrative Tools on Start
Windows_8_Administrative-Tools.jpg
Windows_8.1_Administative_Tools.jpg







OPTION ONE

To Show or Hide "Administrative Tools" on Start using Charms Bar


1. From the Start screen, open the Charms bar, and click/tap on the Settings charm. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: If you are not on the Start screen, then you can press the Windows key :winkey: to go to it.​
Search-Start.jpg

2. In the right pane, click/tap on Tiles at the top, then do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)​
Step-1.jpg

3. Show Administrative Tools on your "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
A) Move the Show administrator tools slider to the right to say Yes, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)​
Turn-On.jpg

4. Hide Administrative Tools on your "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Move the Show administrator tools slider to the left to say No, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)​
Turn-Off.jpg

5. Click/tap on a empty area on the Start screen to see the change.​
NOTE: You may need to scroll the Start screen to the right to see the administrative tools if set to show.​





OPTION TWO

To Show or Hide "Administrative Tools" on Start using a BAT File



Note   Note
The .bat files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

StartMenuAdminTools DWORD

0 = Hide Administrative Tools
1 = Show Administrative Tools


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​
2. Hide Administrative Tools on your "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Hide_Administrative_Tools_on_Start.bat
download
3. Show Administrative Tools on your "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Show_Administrative_Tools_on_Start.bat
download
4. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.​
5. If prompted, click/tap on Run.​
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.​
6. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.​
7. After a slight delay, your setting for administrative tools will be applied on your Start screen.​



That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

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  • Advanced_Tools.png
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Last edited by a moderator:
Awesome! I would have never found this on my own. Thanks a lot.

It's slightly strange by Microsoft to make that appear differently when in Start Menu and when not.
 

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You're welcome GMan. Each screen has it's own "Settings" for it. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
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    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I have tried everything listed here, but I still can't hide the Administrative Tools from the Start Screen.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hello Maliksaad,

You might see if restarting the PC after turning off Administrative Tools may help.

Do you have a 3rd party utility program installed that may have this option turned on overriding the one here?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello Maliksaad,

You might see if restarting the PC after turning off Administrative Tools may help.

Do you have a 3rd party utility program installed that may have this option turned on overriding the one here?

I restarted the PC, but nothing changed. I don't have any third party program that can conflict with this setting.
2014.01.21_19h29m33s_001_Registry Editor.jpg
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I was following the steps above and for Option 1 step 2 there is no tiles shown there?

I attached a screen shot of what I see after clicking the settings option
setting options.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
Hello Injr,

Be sure that you open Charms while on your Start screen and not while on your desktop. You won't see it from the desktop. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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