Release 2026.03.09 (#514)

- Moved all config files to a dedicated `Config` folder. This includes `Features.json`, `DefaultSettings,json`, `Apps.json`, `LastUsedSettings.json` and `CustomAppsList`
- Updated CONTRIBUTING.md file
- Replaced support button with a `Report a bug` button when script encounters an error when applying changes
- Fixed error with importing modules when launching the script from PowerShell 7 (#510)
- Add option to hide the 'All Apps' section from the start menu (#513)

.github/CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -59,16 +59,16 @@ Understanding the project structure is essential for contributing effectively:
 
 ```
 Win11Debloat/
-├── Win11Debloat.ps1        # Main PowerShell script
+├── Win11Debloat.ps1             # Main PowerShell script
-├── Apps.json               # List of supported apps for removal
+├── Scripts/                     # Additional PowerShell scripts and functions
-├── DefaultSettings.json    # Default configuration preset
+│    └── Get.ps1                 # Script used for the quick launch method to automatically download and run Win11debloat
-├── LastUsedSettings.json   # Last used configuration (generated during use)
+├── Config/
-├── Assets/
+│   ├── Apps.json                # List of supported apps for removal
-│   └── Features.json       # All features with metadata
+│   ├── DefaultSettings.json     # Default configuration preset
-├── Regfiles/               # Registry files for each feature
+│   ├── Features.json            # All features with metadata
-├── Schemas/                # XAML Schemas for GUI elements
+│   └── LastUsedSettings.json    # Last used configuration (generated during use)
-└── Scripts/                # Additional PowerShell scripts and functions
+├── Regfiles/                    # Registry files for each feature
-    └── Get.ps1             # Script used for the quick launch method to automatically download and run Win11debloat
+└── Schemas/                     # XAML Schemas for GUI elements
 ```
 
 ### Best Practices
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ To add a new app that can be removed via Win11Debloat:
    Get-AppxPackage | Select-Object Name, PackageFullName
    ```
 
-2. **Edit `Apps.json`**: Add a new entry to the `"Apps"` array:
+2. **Edit `Config/Apps.json`**: Add a new entry to the `"Apps"` array:
    ```json
    {
      "FriendlyName": "Display Name",
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ To add a new app that can be removed via Win11Debloat:
 
 ### Adding a New Feature
 
-Features are defined in `Assets/Features.json` and can modify Windows settings via registry files or PowerShell commands.
+Features are defined in `Config/Features.json` and can modify Windows settings via registry files or PowerShell commands.
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > For simple features that just include a registry change, no actual coding is required in the main script except for adding the corresponding command-line parameters. The GUI is automatically built using the information in the Features.json file.
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ If your feature requires more than just applying a registry file, add custom log
 
 #### 2. Add Feature to Features.json
 
-Add your feature to the `"Features"` array in `Assets/Features.json`:
+Add your feature to the `"Features"` array in `Config/Features.json`:
 
 ```json
 {
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ Add a corresponding parameter to both `Win11Debloat.ps1` AND `Scripts/Get.ps1`,
 > [!IMPORTANT]
 > The default preset is intentionally conservative. Features added to it should be thoroughly tested and widely beneficial. When in doubt, leave the feature out of the default preset.
 
-The default preset (`DefaultSettings.json`) defines which features are automatically applied when users run Win11Debloat in "Default Mode" or with the `-RunDefaults` parameter. This preset should include features that are widely considered to improve the Windows experience without breaking functionality.
+The default preset (`Config/DefaultSettings.json`) defines which features are automatically applied when users run Win11Debloat in "Default Mode" or with the `-RunDefaults` parameter. This preset should include features that are widely considered to improve the Windows experience without breaking functionality.
 
 **When to add a feature to the default preset:**
 - The feature removes obvious bloatware or distractions
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ The default preset (`DefaultSettings.json`) defines which features are automatic
 - The feature is highly opinionated or preference-based
 - The feature is experimental or not thoroughly tested
 
-To add your feature to the default preset, edit `DefaultSettings.json` and add a new entry to the `"Settings"` array:
+To add your feature to the default preset, edit `Config/DefaultSettings.json` and add a new entry to the `"Settings"` array:
 
 ```json
 {
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ To add your feature to the default preset, edit `DefaultSettings.json` and add a
 
 To add a new category for organizing features:
 
-- Add a new category entry to the `"Categories"` array in `Assets/Features.json`:
+- Add a new category entry to the `"Categories"` array in `Config/Features.json`:
    ```json
    {
      "Name": "Your Category Name",

Config/Features.json

@@ -575,6 +575,19 @@
       "MinVersion": 22621,
       "MaxVersion": null
     },
+    {
+      "FeatureId": "DisableStartAllApps",
+      "Label": "'All Apps' section in the start menu",
+      "ToolTip": "This will hide the 'All Apps' section in the start menu, which shows all installed apps. WARNING: Hiding this section may make it harder to find installed apps on your system. This feature uses policies, which will lock down certain settings.",
+      "Category": "Start Menu & Search",
+      "Action": "Hide",
+      "RegistryKey": "Disable_Start_All_Apps.reg",
+      "ApplyText": "Disabling the 'All Apps' section in the start menu...",
+      "UndoAction": "Show",
+      "RegistryUndoKey": "Enable_Start_All_Apps.reg",
+      "MinVersion": 26200,
+      "MaxVersion": null
+    },
     {
       "FeatureId": "DisableStartPhoneLink",
       "Label": "Phone Link integration in the start menu",

README.md

@@ -129,8 +129,9 @@ Below is an overview of the key features and functionality offered by Win11Deblo
 
 #### Start Menu & Search
 
-- Remove or replace all pinned apps from start for the current user, or for all existing & new users. (W11 only)
+- Remove or replace all pinned apps from the start menu. (W11 only)
-- Disable the recommended section in the start menu. (W11 only)
+- Hide the recommended section in the start menu. (W11 only)
+- Hide the 'All Apps' section in the start menu. (W11 only)
 - Disable the Phone Link mobile devices integration in the start menu. (W11 only)
 - Disable Bing web search & Copilot integration in Windows search.
 - Disable Microsoft Store app suggestions in Windows search. (W11 only)

Regfiles/Disable_Start_All_Apps.reg

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
+
+[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
+"NoStartMenuMorePrograms"=dword:00000001

Regfiles/Sysprep/Disable_Start_All_Apps.reg

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
+
+[hkey_users\default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
+"NoStartMenuMorePrograms"=dword:00000001

Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Start_All_Apps.reg

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
+
+[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
+"NoStartMenuMorePrograms"=-
+
+[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
+"NoStartMenuMorePrograms"=-

Scripts/GUI/Show-ApplyModal.ps1

@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ function Show-ApplyModal {
     $script:ApplyStepNameEl.Text = "Preparing..."
     $script:ApplyStepCounterEl.Text = "Preparing..."
     $script:ApplyProgressBarEl.Value = 0
+    $script:ApplyModalInErrorState = $false
     
     # Set up progress callback for ExecuteAllChanges
     $script:ApplyProgressCallback = {
@@ -192,6 +193,23 @@ function Show-ApplyModal {
             $script:ApplyCompletionIconEl.Foreground = [System.Windows.Media.SolidColorBrush]::new([System.Windows.Media.ColorConverter]::ConvertFromString("#c42b1c"))
             $script:ApplyCompletionTitleEl.Text = "Error"
             $script:ApplyCompletionMessageEl.Text = "An error occurred while applying changes: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            
+            # Set error state to change Kofi button to report link
+            $script:ApplyModalInErrorState = $true
+
+            # Update Kofi button to be a report issue button
+            $applyKofiBtn.Content = $null
+            
+            $reportText = [System.Windows.Controls.TextBlock]::new()
+            $reportText.Text = 'Report a bug'
+            $reportText.VerticalAlignment = 'Center'
+            $reportText.FontSize = 14
+            $reportText.Margin = [System.Windows.Thickness]::new(0, 0, 0, 1)
+
+            $applyKofiBtn.Content = $reportText
+            
+            [System.Windows.Automation.AutomationProperties]::SetName($applyKofiBtn, 'Report a bug')
+            
             $applyWindow.Dispatcher.Invoke([System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherPriority]::Render, [action]{})
         }
         finally {
@@ -206,7 +224,11 @@ function Show-ApplyModal {
     })
 
     $applyKofiBtn.Add_Click({
-        Start-Process "https://ko-fi.com/raphire"
+        if ($script:ApplyModalInErrorState) {
+            Start-Process "https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat/issues/new"
+        } else {
+            Start-Process "https://ko-fi.com/raphire"
+        }
     })
 
     $applyCancelBtn.Add_Click({

Scripts/Get.ps1

@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ param (
     [switch]$HideSearchTb, [switch]$ShowSearchIconTb, [switch]$ShowSearchLabelTb, [switch]$ShowSearchBoxTb,
     [switch]$HideTaskview,
     [switch]$DisableStartRecommended,
+    [switch]$DisableStartAllApps,
     [switch]$DisableStartPhoneLink,
     [switch]$DisableCopilot,
     [switch]$DisableRecall,
@@ -166,6 +167,12 @@ else {
     $windowStyle = "Normal"
 }
 
+# Remove Powershell 7 modules from path to prevent module loading issues in the script
+if ($PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Major -ge 7) {
+    $NewPSModulePath = $env:PSModulePath -split ';' | Where-Object -FilterScript { $_ -like '*WindowsPowerShell*' }
+    $env:PSModulePath = $NewPSModulePath -join ';'
+}
+
 # Run Win11Debloat script with the provided arguments
 $debloatProcess = Start-Process powershell.exe -WindowStyle $windowStyle -PassThru -ArgumentList "-executionpolicy bypass -File $env:TEMP\Win11Debloat\Win11Debloat.ps1 $arguments" -Verb RunAs
 

Win11Debloat.ps1

@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ param (
     [switch]$HideSearchTb, [switch]$ShowSearchIconTb, [switch]$ShowSearchLabelTb, [switch]$ShowSearchBoxTb,
     [switch]$HideTaskview,
     [switch]$DisableStartRecommended,
+    [switch]$DisableStartAllApps,
     [switch]$DisableStartPhoneLink,
     [switch]$DisableCopilot,
     [switch]$DisableRecall,
@@ -102,11 +103,12 @@ param (
 
 
 # Define script-level variables & paths
-$script:Version = "2026.03.07"
+$script:Version = "2026.03.09"
-$script:DefaultSettingsFilePath = "$PSScriptRoot/DefaultSettings.json"
+$script:AppsListFilePath = "$PSScriptRoot/Config/Apps.json"
-$script:AppsListFilePath = "$PSScriptRoot/Apps.json"
+$script:DefaultSettingsFilePath = "$PSScriptRoot/Config/DefaultSettings.json"
-$script:SavedSettingsFilePath = "$PSScriptRoot/LastUsedSettings.json"
+$script:FeaturesFilePath = "$PSScriptRoot/Config/Features.json"
-$script:CustomAppsListFilePath = "$PSScriptRoot/CustomAppsList"
+$script:SavedSettingsFilePath = "$PSScriptRoot/Config/LastUsedSettings.json"
+$script:CustomAppsListFilePath = "$PSScriptRoot/Config/CustomAppsList"
 $script:DefaultLogPath = "$PSScriptRoot/Logs/Win11Debloat.log"
 $script:RegfilesPath = "$PSScriptRoot/Regfiles"
 $script:AssetsPath = "$PSScriptRoot/Assets"
@@ -116,7 +118,6 @@ $script:MessageBoxSchema = "$PSScriptRoot/Schemas/MessageBoxWindow.xaml"
 $script:AboutWindowSchema = "$PSScriptRoot/Schemas/AboutWindow.xaml"
 $script:ApplyChangesWindowSchema = "$PSScriptRoot/Schemas/ApplyChangesWindow.xaml"
 $script:SharedStylesSchema = "$PSScriptRoot/Schemas/SharedStyles.xaml"
-$script:FeaturesFilePath = "$script:AssetsPath/Features.json"
 
 $script:ControlParams = 'WhatIf', 'Confirm', 'Verbose', 'Debug', 'LogPath', 'Silent', 'Sysprep', 'User', 'NoRestartExplorer', 'RunDefaults', 'RunDefaultsLite', 'RunSavedSettings', 'RunAppsListGenerator', 'CLI', 'AppRemovalTarget'