What options are available for Start8/10/11 group policy?

Show start button on primary taskbar

This policy controls if the start button should appear on the primary taskbar or not.

When enabled the start button will appear on the primary taskbar.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing on the primary taskbar

Ctrl + Windows key acts like Right Windows key

This policy controls if holding down the ctrl key while pressing the Windows key should simulate a right windows key press.

When enabled ctrl + Winkey will = Right Winkey

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to off.

Load user pinned items

This policy controls if Start8/10 should load up pinned items from the users pinned items location.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to loading user pinned items.

Show shutdown option on right click menu

This policy allows access to the standard OS shutdown dialog by right clicking the start button or start menu and picking it from the menu.

If you disable this policy then the "Shutdown..." option no longer appears on the right click menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to enabled.

Allow bottom left corner shortcut to open Windows 8 start menu when in a modern UI application

This policy allows you to control the action the bottom left hand corner hotspot for opening the start menu should take when in a Modern UI application.

Enabling this policy will make it open the Windows 8 start menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to opening the Windows 7 style menu.

Shift + Windows key acts like Right Windows key

This policy controls if holding down the shift key while pressing the Windows key should simulate a right windows key press.

When enabled shift + Winkey will = Right Winkey

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to off.

Allow user to pin items on the Start8/10 start menu

This policy allows you to control if a user can pin items from the Start8/10 start menu by right clicking on them and selecting "Pin to Start menu (Start8/10)".

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to allowing them to pin items.

Disable Start8/10 in account

This policy controls if Start8/10 should be enabled in the user account.

When set Start8/10 will be disabled.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to Start8/10 being able to start up.

Default start menu power button action

This policy allows you to control the default action of the power button on the Start8/10 stat menu.

If the setting chosen is restricted by other group policy settings such as blocking shutdown this setting will be ignored.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to shutdown.

Prevent searching control panel

This policy controls if the search should search the control panel or not.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to including control panel results in search.

Use Windows 7 style start menu

This policy allows you to control if Start8/10 should show the Windows 7 style start menu. or the Windows 8 (Metro / Modern UI) start menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to the Windows 7 style start menu.

Allow access to the run item on the right click menu

This policy allows access to the run dialog by right clicking the start button or start menu.

If you disable this policy then the "Run..." option no longer appears on the right click menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to enabled.

NOTE : Access to this item is also controlled by the standard OS run dialog access group policy settings. If the user is not allowed to access run then access is also blocked from within Start8/10.

List frequently used applications on the Start8/10 start menu

This policy allows you to control if frequently used applications are listed on the Start8/10 start menu.

The list of frequently used applications is automatically updated by the operating system based on application launches.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to enabled.

Start button style

This policy allows you to pick the graphic that is used for the Start8/10 button on the taskbar.

To set you need to enable this and then pick from the drop down list box. If you pick a custom image you need to enter the full path to the image.

If a custom image cannot be loaded, the software will use the flag image instead.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to the flag start button.

Make Windows key open Windows 8 style menu rather than Windows 7 style from the desktop

This policy allows you to control the action the Windows key performs when at the desktop.

Enabling this policy will make the Windows key open the Windows 8 start menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to opening the Windows 7 style menu.

Do not use Windows Search for searches

This policy controls if the search should use the Windows Search service or not.

When enabled the searches will be limited in scope to the programs and control panel sections only (unless also disabled).

If the Search service is disabled on the machine then this setting is ignored and searches are always limited.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to using the Windows Search Service.

Holding ctrl while clicking the Start8/10 button should open the full screen Windows 8 start menu

This policy allows you to control if holding down ctrl whilst clicking the start button will open the Windows 8 start menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to enabled.

Make Start8/10 Start menu appear solid rather than translucent

This policy allows you to force the Start8/10 menu to appear solid rather than translucent.

The default behaviour of Start8/10 is to be solid, but setting this setting to disabled will make it match the taskbar translucency.

Due to the lack of blur support on Windows 8, it is recommended this setting is left enabled in order to make reading the menu easier.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to enabled and the Start8/10 start menu appears solid.

Auto expand menus when hovering over them

This policy allows you to control if menus should auto expand when hovering over them for a short period.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to auto expanding.

Highlight newly installed applications in the all programs tree

This policy allows you to control if newly installed applications should be highlighted in the Start8/10 all programs treeview.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to enabled and newly installed applications will be highlighted for upto 5 days after installation.

File search searches entire index

This policy controls if the search should search the entire index or not when searching for files vs files in the users profile.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to limiting the search.

Make right Windows key open the Windows 8 start menu when in a Modern UI application

This policy allows you to control if the right windows key should open the Windows 8 start menu when in a modern UI application.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to enabled and the Windows 8 start menu will appear when you press the right windows key on the keyboard (if any) when in a modern UI application

Force taskbar to appear solid rather than translucent

This policy allows you to force the OS taskbar to be solid rather than translucent.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to disabled and the OS taskbar remains translucent if the current OS theme appears that way.

Hide the user picture on the Start Menu

This policy controls if the user picture should be visible on the start menu.

When enabled holding the user picture is hidden.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to off and the user picture is visible.

Disable the top left corner hotspot when at the desktop

This policy allows you to disable the top left hotspot when at the desktop.

Enabling this policy will disable the hotspot if they are currently enabled. Disabling all hotspots overrides this setting.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to allowing the hotspot to function when at the desktop.

Make Start8/10 button open Windows 8 start menu rather than Windows 7 style

This policy allows you to control the action the Start8/10 taskbar button performs.

Enabling this policy will make the Start8/10 button open the Windows 8 start menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to opening the Windows 7 style menu.

Use a custom colour for the Start8/10 menu

This policy allows you to set the Start8/10 menu to be a custom colour rather than following the current user colour.

The colour is defined as an integer, Work out the colour as RRGGBB in hex, put this in windows calculator in hex mode and convert to decimal and use the result.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to disabled and matches the users taskbar colour.

Control how many items should show in the Start8/10 start menu

This policy allows you to control how many items should appear on the left hand side of the Start8/10 start menu.

This is calculated based on large icons, so when in small icons mode the number of icons is increased by almost a factor of 2 automatically.

Setting this to enabled or disabled does nothing, you need to configure the value in the input box. Values from 0 to 40 are allowed, but the menu size will automatically adjust based on available space and the number of visible items on the right hand side.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to 10 items.

Disable the charms bar hotspot when at the desktop

This policy allows you to disable the charms bar hotspot when at the desktop.

Enabling this policy will disable the bar if it is currently enabled.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to allowing the hotspots to function when at the desktop.

Allow access to config user interface via the right click menu

This policy allows access to the configuration user interface by right clicking the start button or start menu.

If you disable this policy then the "Configure Start8/10..." option no longer appears on the right click menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to enabled.

Holding winkey for half a second acts like Right Windows key

This policy controls if holding down the Windows key for more than half a second should simulate a right windows key press.

When enabled holding the Windows key for more than half a second = Right Winkey

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to off.

Use small icons in the start menu rather than large ones

This policy allows you to control if Start8/10 should use large or small icons on the left hand side of the Start8/10 menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to disabled and large icons are used.

Do not show Modern UI applications in the all programs or search lists

This policy controls if Start8/10 should list Modern UI / Metro applications in the all programs and search results.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing them.

Show Win+X menu when right clicking the start button

This policy controls if right clicking the start button should show the Start8/10 menu or the Win+X menu.

When enabled holding the menu will be the Win+X menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to off and the Start8/10 menu will be used other than in the bottom left most corner pixels when the Win+X menu will show.

Control which skin the Start8/10 menu should use

This policy allows you to control which skin the Start8/10 start menu should use.

The default is designed to be similar to the Windows 8 OS theme and we recommend the use of this setting.

Server 2012 lacks support for the Rounded theme and Windows 7 theme and you should use the default theme instead.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to the default theme.

Show start button on secondary taskbar

This policy controls if the start button should appear on the secondary taskbar or not (if any)

When enabled the start button will appear on the secondary taskbar.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing on the secondary taskbar.

Control the size of the Windows 8 Modern/Metro UI if set to use that mode

This policy allows you to control the size of the Windows 8 style start menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to small.

Make Windows key open Windows 8 style menu rather than Windows 7 style from within a Windows 8 modern UI application

This policy allows you to control the action the Windows key performs when in a Windows 8 modern UI application.

Enabling this policy will make the Windows key open the Windows 8 start menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to opening the Windows 7 style menu.

Disable all corner hotspots when at the desktop

This policy allows you to disable the corner hotspots when at the desktop.

Enabling this policy will disable the hotspots if they are currently enabled.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to allowing the hotspots to function when at the desktop.

Automatically go to the desktop after login

This policy allows you to control if the machine should go to the desktop after login, or stay at the Windows 8 start menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to going straight to the desktop.

Load global pinned items

This policy controls if Start8/10 should load up pinned items from the program data.

If enabled shortcuts in %PROGRAMDATA%\Start8/10\Pinned\StartMenu will be loaded up and added to the pinned list.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to loading these if they exist.

Allow user to unpin items from the Start8/10 start menu

This policy allows you to control if a user can unpin items from the Start8/10 start menu by right clicking on them and selecting "Unpin from Start menu (Start8/10)".

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to allowing them to unpin items.

Make right Windows key open the Windows 8 start menu when at the desktop

This policy allows you to control if the right windows key should open the Windows 8 start menu when at the desktop.

Note : This option will not work when the foreground application is elevated and the right windows key will be detected as a left windows key press. This is due to UAC limitations.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to enabled and the Windows 8 start menu will appear when you press the right windows key on the keyboard (if any) when in a desktop application.

Default to apps view when not in full screen Windows 8 Metro/Modern Start menu

This policy allows you to control if Start8/10 should show the Windows 8 start menu in apps view when opening it in non full screen mode.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to the apps view.

Music

This policy allows you to control if the users music library should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

Default Programs

This policy allows you to control if the the default programs link should be visible.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.

Personal folder

This policy allows you to control if the users personal folder should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

Network

This policy allows you to control if the the network link should be visible.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.

Devices and Printers

This policy allows you to control if the the devices and printers link should be visible.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

 Places list items should be small

 This policy allows you to control if the places list shortcuts should be small or large.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to large

 Homegroup

 This policy allows you to control if the homegroup item should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.

 Connect To

 This policy allows you to control if the the connect to link should be visible.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.

 Downloads

 This policy allows you to control if the users downloads folder should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.

 Recorded TV

 This policy allows you to control if the users Recorded TV library should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.

 Help and Support

 This policy allows you to control if the Help and Support item should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu as a link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

 Run

 This policy allows you to control if the Run item should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu as a link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

 Documents

 This policy allows you to control if the users documents library should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

 Administrative Tools

 This policy allows you to control if the administrative tools item should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.

 Pictures

 This policy allows you to control if the users pictures library should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

 Favorites

 This policy allows you to control if the menu showing the users internet favorites should show on the right hand side.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.

 Control Panel

 This policy allows you to control if the the control panel item should show on the right hand list and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

 Games

 This policy allows you to control if the users Games library should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

Computer

This policy allows you to control if the the computer item should show on the right hand list and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to showing as a link.

Videos

This policy allows you to control if the users videos library should show on the right hand side of the Start8/10 menu and if it should be a menu or link.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.

 Recent items

 This policy allows you to control if the menu showing the users 15 most recently accessed documents should show on the right hand side.

If you do not configure this policy setting then it defaults to not showing.