Start Layout

Policy ID
LockedStartLayout
Scope
Computer Configuration, User Configuration
Supported on
At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
Source
Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category
Start Menu and Taskbar

Description

Specifies the Start layout for users.

This setting lets you specify the Start layout for users and prevents them from changing its configuration. The Start layout you specify must be stored in an XML file that was generated by the Export-StartLayout PowerShell cmdlet.
To use this setting, you must first manually configure a device's Start layout to the desired look and feel. Once you are done, run the Export-StartLayout PowerShell cmdlet on that same device. The cmdlet will generate an XML file representing the layout you configured.

Once the XML file is generated and moved to the desired file path, type the fully qualified path and name of the XML file. You can type a local path, such as C:\StartLayouts\myLayout.xml or a UNC path, such as \\Server\Share\Layout.xml. If the specified file is not available when the user logs on, the layout won't be changed. Users cannot customize their Start screen while this setting is enabled.

If you disable this setting or do not configure it, the Start screen layout won't be changed and users will be able to customize it.

Options

The empty box and the checked box tell the checkbox items of the Group Policy editor apart (a checked box is an item that is selected by default).

  • Start Layout File
  • Reapply layout at every logon

Registry

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  • LockedStartLayout-
  • StartLayoutFileREG_EXPAND_SZ
  • ReapplyStartLayoutEveryLogonREG_DWORD
UserHKEY_CURRENT_USER
  • LockedStartLayout-
  • StartLayoutFileREG_EXPAND_SZ
  • ReapplyStartLayoutEveryLogonREG_DWORD

Other policies in the same category

View all policies in this category (27)