Remove Default Programs link from the Start menu.

This policy setting allows you to remove the Default Programs link from the Start menu.

If you enable this policy setting, the Default Programs link is removed from the Start menu.

Clicking the Default Programs link from the Start menu opens the Default Programs control panel and provides administrators the ability to specify default programs for certain activities, such as Web browsing or sending e-mail, as well as which programs are accessible from the Start menu, desktop, and other locations.

If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the Default Programs link is available from the Start menu.

Note: This policy setting does not prevent the Set Default Programs for This Computer option from appearing in the Default Programs control panel.

Supported on: Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 and Windows 2000 Service Pack 3

Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry PathSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Value NameNoSMConfigurePrograms
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

startmenu.admx

Administrative Templates (Computers)

Administrative Templates (Users)