How to Enable or Disable Pin to Start Menu in Vista and Windows 7

information   Information
This will show you how to enable or disable Pinned Programs and Folders in the Start Menu pin area and the Pin to Start Menu context menu item for all users on the computer.

This does not apply to the Classic Start menu in Vista.

Note   Note
This does not affect the Recent Programs list in the Start menu. If you have this enabled, they will still be listed.

EXAMPLE: Start menu Pin area Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: Notice how the lower half Recent Programs list in the enabled Start menu pin area is not affected when the Pin area is disabled. Only the Pinned Programs and Folders are removed at the top. If you do not have Recent Programs enabled, then the left white side of the Start menu (right screenshot) will be completey blank instead if this.
pin_area_enabled.jpgpin_area_disabled.jpg
EXAMPLE: Customize Show on Start menu with Pin area Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: When the Pin area is disabled, these options boxed in red will be grayed out.
customized_enabled.jpgcustomize_disabled.jpg
EXAMPLE: Context Menu with Pin area Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: When the Pin area is disabled, the Pin to Start Menu context menu item is removed.
context_menu_enabled.jpgcontext_menu_disabled.jpg






OPTION ONE
Through the Local Group Policy Editor

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Start Menu and Taskbar. (See screenshot below)
group_policy.jpg
3. In the right pane, right click on Remove pinned programs list from the Start Menu and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable Pin to Start Menu
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot belowstep 5A)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.

B) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable Pin to Start Menu
A) Select (dot) Enabled and click on OK.
properties.jpg
6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done.






OPTION TWO
Using a REG File Download

1. To Disable Pin to Start Menu
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_Pin_To_Start_Menu.reg
download
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Enable Pin to Start Menu
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_Pin_To_Start_Menu.reg
download
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply changes.



OPTION THREE
Manually in Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
reg1.jpg
5. To Disable Pin to Start Menu
A) In the right pane of Explorer, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type NoStartMenuPinnedList and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

B) Right click on NoStartMenuPinnedList and click on Modify.
reg2.jpg
C) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
modify.jpg
D) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)
reg3.jpg
E) Go to step 7.
6. To Enable Pin to Start Menu
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) In the right pane of System, right click on NoStartMenuPinnedList and click on Delete. (See screenshot above)

B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.
7. Close regedit.

8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply changes.
That's it,
Shawn