Here is a short tutorial that explains how to prevent specific as well as all users from customizing Start Screen in Windows 8.
Windows 8 Start Screen is quite useful in many ways. You can Pin/Unpin files to Windows 8 Start Screen. It is basically used to launch various Modern apps.
If you disable customizing the Windows 8 Start Screen, then it will prevent users from making following changes to the Start Screen:
- Selecting an app (although the app can be launched from the Start Screen, but it can’t be selected).
- Resizing a tile.
- Pinning/Unpinning a tile.
- Rearranging tiles.
- Uninstalling from the Start Screen.
- Turn the live tile ON/OFF.
- Name/Rename various groups.
- Grouping apps.
You can prevent a specific user or all users from customizing the Start Screen as per your choice.
Preventing Specific Users From Customizing Windows 8 Start Screen:
Step 1: Type mmc.exe in the Run box to open Microsoft Management Console.
Step 2: In Microsoft Management Console, click on File option at the top left corner, and then click on Add/Remove Snap-in. It will open a new window, from where you can add or remove various Snap-in.
Step 3: In Snap-in column, navigate to Group Policy Objects. Click on it, and then click on “Add” button available next to the box.
Step 4: In next window, click on Browse button to add a Group Policy Object.
Step 5: Now, click on Users tab. It will give you a list of users available in your Windows 8 PC. Choose the user for whom you want to make the changes.
You can also choose non-administrators from the option. It will apply the particular setting for everyone except for the administrator.
Click on OK, and then on Finish.
Step 6: Now, go back to the Microsoft Management Console window. You will find that that specific user has been added.
Navigate to Start Menu and Taskbar by using the following path:
Local Computer\Specified_User -> User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar
Instead of Specified_User, look for the user that you have selected in above steps.
Step 7: On the right panel, you will find various settings. Double click on the setting that says “Prevent users from customizing their Start Screen”.
In the next window, click on the radio button that says “Enabled”. Apply the changes and then click on OK.
Sign-out, and then Sign in to apply the changes completely.
From now onwards, the specified user will not be able to customize the Windows 8 Start Screen.
Preventing All Users From Customizing Windows 8 Start Screen:
Step 1: Type gpedit.msc in the Run box. It will open Group Policy Editor for all users.
Step 2: In Group Policy Editor, navigate to the Start Menu and Taskbar by using the following path:
User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar
Click on Start Menu and Taskbar option.
Step 3: On the right panel, you will find various setting options. Click on the setting that says “Prevent users from customizing their Start Screen”.
Step 4: In the next window, you will find various radio buttons. Click on the radio button that says “Enabled”.
Apply the changes, and then click on OK. Sign-out and Sign in to apply the changes completely.
Also learn, how to disable PC Settings and Control Panel in Windows 8.
