All Apps button missing from Windows 11 25H2 Start Menu

Question

All Apps button missing from Windows 11 25H2 Start Menu

Ed Reed 26

Last week, I wiped my computer and reinstalled Windows 11. For the past few days, I've been reinstalling my applications and putting my machine back in order. I just noticed that the All Apps button is missing from the Start Menu. This is one of the problems I was having before which led me to wipe the machine and reinstall. The All Apps button was there last week but it's missing again. I've searched the internet high and low and cannot find a useful resolution to this problem.

Kerrie LeFevre 0 Reputation points

2025-12-04T02:29:34.5566667+00:00

For me, it was simply selecting the view arrow on the right side (note: I have show all >, show all >,& View: Category v) just change the category and I was back going!
Rudolph van Eijken 0 Reputation points

2026-03-15T10:14:55.89+00:00

Microsoft thinks for us, we are all stupid users and need their guidance to get things "right" . The are god and we are their slaves using their OS.. But to help you all all apps are in 2 places:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

C:\Users<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

and <username> is your name you registered windows with , or more precize: what the microsoft folks thinks that is your name.

Answer accepted by question author

Paulo GM 72,305 Independent Advisor

Hi,

The Start menu in version 25H2 has been redesigned, but it seems some options on your end are missing or didn’t update correctly. Have you checked for updates yet? Make sure to install any available Windows Updates and Microsoft Store updates to see if that resolves the issue. If the problem persists, you may want to check whether this article helps restore the All apps section.

Disclaimer: ElevenForum is a non-Microsoft site created by a Windows MVP. The information is reliable, but be careful with ads. Research any product before downloading.

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7 additional answers

Your answer

Kerrie LeFevre 0 Reputation points

2025-12-04T02:29:34.5566667+00:00

For me, it was simply selecting the view arrow on the right side (note: I have show all >, show all >,& View: Category v) just change the category and I was back going!
Rudolph van Eijken 0 Reputation points

2026-03-15T10:14:55.89+00:00

Microsoft thinks for us, we are all stupid users and need their guidance to get things "right" . The are god and we are their slaves using their OS.. But to help you all all apps are in 2 places:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

C:\Users<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

and <username> is your name you registered windows with , or more precize: what the microsoft folks thinks that is your name.

Answer 1

Pete 0

Why don't they give us an opton to revert to the oled button? I hate this as it only complicates navigation. It sounds like I'm not the only one that hates it. Please correct or let us choose.

0 comments

Answer 2

Rudolph van Eijken 0

The solution to NOT USE your ridiculous new Start Menu on the left side of the windows desktop is: to make a shortcut copy of the "StartMenu" folder and put in on you desktop. Make also sure that ONEDRIVE is not syncing this shortcut. Another stupid thing to have my windows Desktop part of OneDrive. Microsoft GET AWAKE, this is BAD BAD BAD!!!

0 comments

Answer 3

Rudolph van Eijken 0

Hi, you guys messed up big time with this change. It is totally ujnusable and stupid. To ASSUME categories for my apps. This is BIG BROTHER in exponential size.

Rudolph van Eijken 0 Reputation points

2026-02-25T10:33:50.99+00:00

The real start men u can be found at: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

Answer 4

Sean 15

I thought my "all apps" button had disappeared but in my case, it was my error. I was used to a button at the top right of the start screen above the pinned apps labeled "all apps" that opened another screen with a list of apps. After an update, that function moved UNDER the pinned apps and just said "All" with a separate button for categories, grid or list view. It was set to categories so it didn't look like what I was used to and I thought all apps was missing and the new category thing had been added. Once I changed it to list view it was the same list I was used to, only on the same page below the pinned apps, which is actually better. Maybe this will help someone who, like me, isn't that computer savvy.

Pat Klocke 15 Reputation points

2026-02-26T15:37:12.1333333+00:00

I had same experience. the whole "categories" item = Bad Idea (at least, if it is not US assigning apps to custom categories we create. MS's categories are pretty meaningless to me. thx for the tip!
Joe Beckner 0 Reputation points

2026-02-26T17:45:54.4533333+00:00

Changing to list view fixed this for me. Thx for the tip.

Yes, I agree changing the start menu with this categories item is a bad idea, especially when they change without notification.

Sean, this was not your error. They should not have changed the layout without telling us.
Billy 5 Reputation points

2026-02-27T09:39:05.06+00:00

I've been trying to get the "All Apps" button back too. I updated my windows 11 laptop and now I've got all this junk below my pined apps. I finally figured out how to get rid of the junk, but I can't figure out how to get the "All Apps" button back. I was pretty much forced into adding the "All" section back. If anyone knows how I can get the "All Apps" button back, please let me know!
Cracker Jack 0 Reputation points

2026-03-15T02:31:58.89+00:00

Brilliant to make things harder to find, and not bothering to tell us. Very difficult on Windows 11 to make quick access buttons to FILES on the desktop or Start menu
John Nasta 0 Reputation points

2026-03-28T19:35:48.7266667+00:00

I have a button that says "Show all" but it shows a list of Recommended things, not a list of all apps.