Gray unavailable Windows Installer programs Start Menu shortcuts
- Policy ID
- GreyMSIAds
- Scope
- User Configuration
- Supported on
- Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000
- Source
- Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
- Category
- Start Menu and Taskbar
Description
Displays Start menu shortcuts to partially installed programs in gray text.
This setting makes it easier for users to distinguish between programs that are fully installed and those that are only partially installed.
Partially installed programs include those that a system administrator assigns using Windows Installer and those that users have configured for full installation upon first use.
If you disable this setting or do not configure it, all Start menu shortcuts appear as black text.
Note: Enabling this setting can make the Start menu slow to open.
Registry
UserHKEY_CURRENT_USER
- GreyMSIAds-