How To Hide Apps On Windows Without Using Any Software

Hiding apps on Windows can be useful for maintaining a clean and organized system, as well as for privacy reasons. Here are several methods to hide apps on Windows 10 and 11 without using any additional software.

Hiding Apps in the Start Menu via Windows Settings

To hide apps from the Start menu, you can use the built-in Windows Settings. This method is particularly useful for desktop apps.

1. Open Windows Settings: Right-click the Start icon and select "Settings."
2. Navigate to Personalization: In the Settings window, select "Personalization."
3. Access Start Settings: Go to the "Start" section in the left pane.
4. Toggle Off App List: Toggle off the "Show app list in Start menu" option from the right side.

This will hide the app list in the Start menu, but the apps will still be accessible via search or other shortcuts.

Hiding All Apps via Group Policy Editor

For more comprehensive control, you can use the Group Policy Editor to hide all apps from the "Programs and Features" page.

1. Open Run Dialog: Press the Windows key and R to open the Run dialog.
2. Open Group Policy Editor: Type gpedit.msc in the text box and click OK.
3. Navigate to the Policy: In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the path User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Programs.
4. Edit the Policy: Right-click "Hide 'Programs and Features' page" and select "Edit."
5. Enable the Policy: In the pop-up window, select the "Enabled" option and click "Apply" and "OK" to save the change.

This method hides the "Programs and Features" page, making it harder for other users to see installed apps.

Hiding Individual Applications via Registry Editor

To hide a specific application, you can modify the registry. This method requires caution as incorrect changes can harm your system.

1. Open Registry Editor: Type regedit in the Search bar and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the App: Navigate to the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall for 64-bit systems.
3. Create a New Value: Right-click the target app and select "New" > "DWORD (32-bit) Value." Name the value SystemComponent.
4. Modify the Value: Right-click the SystemComponent value and select "Modify" to change it. Set the Value data to 1 and click OK.
5. Delete the Shortcut: Close Registry Editor and delete the shortcut of the hidden app on the desktop.

This method hides the app from the "Programs and Features" list and the Start menu, but it will still be accessible via search.

Hiding Desktop Icons

If you only want to hide specific app icons from the desktop without affecting the app's functionality, you can simply delete the icons.

1. Right-click the Icon: Right-click the app icon on the desktop.
2. Delete the Icon: Select "Delete" to remove the icon. This will not uninstall the app, but it will remove the shortcut from the desktop.

Limitations for UWP Apps

Unfortunately, Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps cannot be hidden using these methods. The only way to remove UWP apps from view is to uninstall them, as they cannot be added to folders or hidden individually.

By using these methods, you can effectively hide apps on Windows 10 and 11 without relying on additional software, helping you maintain a more organized and private system.