Customize Windows 10 Start and taskbar with Group Policy
Applies to
In WindowsВ 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education, you can use a Group Policy Object (GPO) to deploy a customized Start and taskbar layout to users in a domain. No reimaging is required, and the layout can be updated simply by overwriting the .xml file that contains the layout. This enables you to customize Start and taskbar layouts for different departments or organizations, with minimal management overhead.
This topic describes how to update Group Policy settings to display a customized Start and taskbar layout when the users sign in. By creating a domain-based GPO with these settings, you can deploy a customized Start and taskbar layout to users in a domain.
When a full Start layout is applied with this method, the users cannot pin, unpin, or uninstall apps from Start. Users can view and open all apps in the All Apps view, but they cannot pin any apps to Start. When a partial Start layout is applied, the contents of the specified tile groups cannot be changed, but users can move those groups, and can also create and customize their own groups. When you apply a taskbar layout, users will still be able to pin and unpin apps, and change the order of pinned apps.
Operating system requirements
In Windows 10, version 1607, Start and taskbar layout control using Group Policy is supported in WindowsВ 10 Enterprise and WindowsВ 10 Education. In Windows 10, version 1703, Start and taskbar layout control using Group Policy is also supported in WindowsВ 10 Pro.
The GPO can be configured from any computer on which the necessary ADMX and ADML files (StartMenu.admx and StartMenu.adml) for WindowsВ 10 are installed. In Group Policy, ADMX files are used to define Registry-based policy settings in the Administrative Templates category. To find out how to create a central store for Administrative Templates files, see article 929841, written for Windows Vista and still applicable in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
How Start layout control works
Three features enable Start and taskbar layout control:
The Export-StartLayout cmdlet in Windows PowerShell exports a description of the current Start layout in .xml file format.
To import the layout of Start to a mounted Windows image, use the Import-StartLayout cmdlet.
You can modify the Start .xml file to include or create an .xml file just for the taskbar configuration.
In Group Policy, you use the Start Layout settings for the Start Menu and Taskbar administrative template to set a Start and taskbar layout from an .xml file when the policy is applied. The Group Policy object doesn’t support an empty tile layout, so the default tile layout for Windows is loaded in that case.
To learn how customize Start to include your line-of-business apps when you deploy WindowsВ 10, see Customize the Windows 10 Start layout.
Use Group Policy to apply a customized Start layout in a domain
To apply the Start and taskbar layout to users in a domain, use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to configure a domain-based Group Policy Object (GPO) that sets Start Layout policy settings in the Start Menu and Taskbar administrative template for users in a domain.
The GPO applies the Start and taskbar layout at the next user sign-in. Each time the user signs in, the timestamp of the .xml file with the Start and taskbar layout is checked and if a newer version of the file is available, the settings in the latest version of the file are applied.
The GPO can be configured from any computer on which the necessary ADMX and ADML files (StartMenu.admx and StartMenu.adml) for WindowsВ 10 are installed.
The .xml file with the Start and taskbar layout must be located on shared network storage that is available to the users’ computers when they sign in and the users must have Read-only access to the file. If the file is not available when the first user signs in, Start and the taskbar are not customized during the session, but the user will be prevented from making changes to Start. On subsequent sign-ins, if the file is available at sign-in, the layout it contains will be applied to the user’s Start and taskbar.
For information about deploying GPOs in a domain, see Working with Group Policy Objects.
Use Group Policy to apply a customized Start layout on the local computer
You can use the Local Group Policy Editor to provide a customized Start and taskbar layout for any user who signs in on the local computer. To display the customized Start and taskbar layout for any user who signs in, configure Start Layout policy settings for the Start Menu and Taskbar administrative template. You can use the Start Menu and Taskbar administrative template in User Configuration or Computer Configuration.
This procedure applies the policy settings on the local computer only. For information about deploying the Start and taskbar layout to users in a domain, see Use Group Policy to deploy a customized Start layout in a domain.
This procedure creates a Local Group Policy that applies to all users on the computer. To configure Local Group Policy that applies to a specific user or group on the computer, see Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Multiple Local Group Policy Objects. The guide was written for WindowsВ Vista and the procedures still apply to WindowsВ 10.
This procedure adds the customized Start and taskbar layout to the user configuration, which overrides any Start layout settings in the local computer configuration when a user signs in on the computer.
To configure Start Layout policy settings in Local Group Policy Editor
On the test computer, press the Windows key, type gpedit, and then select Edit group policy (Control panel).
Go to User Configuration or Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates >Start Menu and Taskbar.
Right-click Start Layout in the right pane, and click Edit.
This opens the Start Layout policy settings.
Enter the following settings, and then click OK:
Select Enabled.
Under Options, specify the path to the .xml file that contains the Start and taskbar layout. For example, type C:\Users\Test01\StartScreenMarketing.xml.
Optionally, enter a comment to identify the Start and taskbar layout.
If you disable Start Layout policy settings that have been in effect and then re-enable the policy, users will not be able to make changes to Start, however the layout in the .xml file will not be reapplied unless the file has been updated. In Windows PowerShell, you can update the timestamp on a file by running the following command:
Update a customized Start layout
After you use Group Policy to apply a customized Start and taskbar layout on a computer or in a domain, you can update the layout simply by replacing the .xml file that is specified in the Start Layout policy settings with a file with a newer timestamp.
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How to Customize Windows 10: The Complete Guide
You decorate your office – why not your computer? Find out how to make Windows look just the way you want. Make your computer your own, with free tools.
Do you desire a desktop that looks and feels like your own? This guide will help you create a fully customized Windows 10 desktop and user interface (UI).
A few minutes is all it takes to turn your desktop into a unique UI suited to your needs and wants. It’s fun, it’s easy, and the results will be stunning. Let us take you through the process, step-by-step.
1. Introduction to Desktop Customization
1.1 Why Should I Customize My Desktop?
Your desktop is simple. You use it to send emails, write documents, store photos, and watch movies. In short, you do everything on your computer. Yet it sits there, bare and without a personal touch. Besides, why mess with what works? There are some who stop there.
Others have grown to love the thrill of customization. First, you begin customizing your Start Menu tiles. Then, program icons. Next thing you know, you’re simulating whole operating systems within your Windows 10 environment.
Microsoft hasn’t made it easy to personalize the Start Menu tiles. Here’s how you can go about customizing tiles in Windows 10.
Think of your PC like a desk. Now imagine working at an empty desk every day. No matter your PC knowledge — whether you consider yourself an amateur or a pro — no one has to settle for a boring desktop. Let your personality flow through your screen. Read on to go from drab and default to outstanding in minutes!
1.2 How This Guide Is Written
This guide is best read from beginning to end. Since desktop customization often requires both prior knowledge and multiple programs, it’s best to start off with simple feature changes. Slowly but surely — as you gain experience dealing with different parts of the Windows 10 UI — you’ll learn how to customize more and more.
If you’d like a simple one-click solution, though, feel free to jump ahead to the Themes section.
2. Themes
2.1 An Introduction to Desktop Themes
No matter what Windows version you’re using (Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10), making your desktop look fantastic is super simple.
Let’s take our Taskbar, for example. Right-click on your Taskbar.
Then, select Taskbar settings. This will open a window which allows users to customize certain simple features in their Taskbar.
As you can see, we already have several options to change the appearance of our Taskbar. You can choose to hide it, use smaller Taskbar buttons, and lock the Taskbar so you don’t accidentally delete a shortcut.
Just like that, you’ve already started customizing your Windows 10 UI. That’s only the beginning.
2.2 Where Can I Get Themes for My Computer?
There are plenty of ways — some official and some not — to download and install themes for Windows 10. For one, Microsoft hosts several Windows 10 themes for free within the Microsoft Store.
To access the Microsoft Store, click on your start menu and type in store. Click on the Microsoft Store option. Then, type in Themes in the search bar, hit enter, and select the Get your theme option.
This will allow you to install a simple theme quickly, officially, and for free.
2.3 How Do I Use Themes Properly?
Before we get into the more nuanced tweaks, it’s best to start with default desktop customization so you familiarize yourself with Windows 10’s UI. We’ll start with themes. Windows 10 themes are basic background and color combinations you can use for your desktop.
To access Themes, right-click an empty space on your desktop and select Personalize.
This will open the Background section of your Windows 10 settings.
Expand your window and select the Themes option in the sidebar. You can access and save themes in this window. Then, scroll down to and click the Get more themes option. From the list provided, select an option and download the theme. Once the theme is finished downloading, select Launch and choose your theme from the selection.
That’s it! In a few seconds, we went from the following default desktop:
All in a few clicks. Note that not only the background changed, but the Taskbar color and all applicable Windows 10 windows as well.
That’s enough on default changes for now. Let’s go over how to install third-party themes.
2.4 Should I Use a Third Party Theme Installer?
The following is a very popular method among Windows 10 aficionados to install third-party themes onto their Windows 10 computers. This method will allow you to control the look of your File Explorer, a major component of the Windows 10 UI, and other applicable programs like the Task Manager.
2.4.1 DevianArt Themes
First, head to DeviantArt and enter windows 10 themes in the search bar. You’ll be presented with several popular options by default.
We’re going to be installing the Ades theme located on the first page of our DeviantArt search. Before continuing on, a few words of warning.
Always set a restore point before installing a custom theme. Developers will often explicitly state this in their documentation. Since we’re dealing with the Windows UI, we have to take extra precautions when tweaking it so as to not delete a vital part of the UI. Take note of exactly how the developer explains the installation.
2.4.2 Theme Installers
As for the theme, you’ll need a few programs before installing. OldNewExplorer, the first program you’ll need, deactivates the ribbon section of your File Explorer. The second program, UltraUXThemePatcher, will allow for third-party Windows 10 themes.
Ensure you are using the correct version of each piece of software with the correct Windows version. If you install a version of the software that is not compatible with your Windows version — installing UltraUXThemePatcher for Windows 8 in Windows 10, for example — you may run into problems.
Additionally, you can install MacType to render cleaner fonts on your screen. It is not, however, required. The same goes for the WinRemix icon pack, which will require you rename a file to install correctly.
2.4.3 Installing a Third-Party Theme
Once you’ve installed these programs, download and install the actual Ades theme. Then, extract the Ades theme ZIP file and move the contents of the folder to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes. Ensure you change the C in the repository address to the applicable driver letter.
Finally, select the theme in your Settings options using the method explained above. Voila! You just installed a custom Windows 10 theme.
Below is another theme named Arc [No Longer Available], correctly installed with its appropriate Arc icon set.
We’ve managed to completely change our Windows 10 UI in minutes using a few third-party programs. Keep in mind that third-party software can cause errors. Nevertheless, developers are very careful in explaining fully the possible issues you may run into. Moreover, always remember to read the documentation that comes with the programs. Follow installation steps to the last detail.
2.5 How Do I Revert to the Original Theme?
To restore the original Windows 10 theme, simply right-click on your desktop and select Personalize. Then, select Themes and click on the Windows option.
You can also use the restore point created earlier.
This will not only revert your Theme to default, it will revert your icons and system configurations back to normal as well.
3. Rainmeter
3.1 What Is Rainmeter?
A particular dynamo when it comes to desktop customization is Rainmeter. A long-time favorite Windows program, Rainmeter will allow you to include various tweaks to your desktop.
There’s no cutoff to what you can do with Rainmeter. Want to create an interactive, parallax 3D wallpaper? Rainmeter can do that.
Want to include your favorite images and GIFs directly on your desktop, like one would picture on a desk? You can do that as well.
Simply head to the Rainmeter website and download the application. For a complete rundown on how to install and edit widget skins, along with download third-party widgets, read our Rainmeter guide.
3.2 Getting Started With Rainmeter
Rainmeter is very simple to use, but will definitely require some getting used to. Rainmeter allows users to load skins and INI files onto their desktops. These files can control music, show time, weather, and the like. Think of them as third-party widgets which allow for far more options than the default Windows widgets.
Download and install the final stable release of Rainmeter. Once installed, head to your Taskbar drawer and double-click Rainmeter’s teardrop logo. This will show your Manage Rainmeter window, which will allow you to load and unload widgets or skins.
On the left-hand side are all the Rainmeter skins installed on your PC. Your skins are located in the C:\Users\Waves\Documents\Rainmeter\Skins directory by default. New skins are installed to this directory by default.
To activate a skin, locate the folder’s INI file and double-click or select the Load option in the Manage Rainmeter window. To unload, right-click your skin and select Unload. You can also unload your skin using the Manage Rainmeter window by selecting the skin in the left-hand dropdown menu and clicking Unload.
That’s the basic mechanics of using Rainmeter.
3.3 Where Can I Get Custom Skins?
While Rainmeter is a great program, it’s only as useful as your skin selection. Rainmeter is very sparse by default. That means you’ll have to install third-party skins. Luckily, DeviantArt is a dream repository for Rainmeter skins. Head to the DeviantArt website and type rainmeter into the search bar.
DeviantArt will be your main repository for custom Rainmeter skins. We’ll install a very popular Rainmeter skin, Google Now Weather, to show the complete download and installation process. First, head to the skin’s DeviantArt web page.
Once the file is downloaded, double-click on the file like you would an executable file. In the following Rainmeter Installer window, click Install.
That’s it! You just installed a Rainmeter skin. Now, head to your Manage Rainmeter window by double-clicking its Taskbar icon, locate the INI file in the left-hand selection, and Load the skin.
Voila! You’ve just loaded a live skin.
3.4 What If I Want to Modify Something?
At times, the default Rainmeter skin will not function on your desktop. The skin will either be too small, too big, or lack your particular weather and location information. Luckily, Rainmeter makes editing their skins straightforward.
For example, the Google Now skin presented above gives me the weather for the wrong location. To fix, right-click the skin and select Edit skin.
With weather applications, in particular, you’ll note most of them require a LocationCode. This code is based on your whereabouts and will provide the weather using particular websites. I’ll need to change mine to my location. Head to a website like weather.codes, look up your location, and copy and paste the code into the LocationCode parameter.
Then, press CTRL + S on your keyboard to save the document and refresh the skin by right-clicking it and selecting Refresh skin.
That’s it! You just edited a Rainmeter skin.
3.5 How Can I Connect Rainmeter to Other Applications?
Some Rainmeter skins require other programs to control functionality. When this is the case, you’ll need to download and install some sort of Rainmeter plugin. For example, the highly popular Win10Widgets suite requires a Spotify plugin so you can control the program via a Rainmeter widget.
The following link will lead to a Reddit post wherein you can download the plugin we need, aptly called SpotifyPlugin, automatically.
That’s it! You just connected Rainmeter to an application.
3.6 I Want to Get More In-Depth.
If you’d like to go wandering through Rainmeter yourself, you’ll find plenty of useful documentation on Rainmeter’s official website.
There are pages upon pages of official documentation dedicated to explaining Rainmeter parameters and tricks.
You can be the Rainmeter developer all other users look to for favorite skins, so feel free to read up as much as you’d like on Rainmeter. There’s no limit to what you can do using this free piece of software. 3D desktop hologram anyone?
4. More Apps
There are plenty of apps online which allow users to customize their desktops. We’ve selected the very top of the batch and here they are!
4.1 How to Customize Your Favorite Media Player
The great thing about Rainmeter is it allows you to control most music and media controls on your PC. That makes it a great media skin program, along with being a great desktop widget software.
That said, there are a few widely used media players you can re-skin directly within the program as well.
4.1.1 VLC Media Player
Did you know you can re-skin the highly popular VLC application? A personal favorite of mine, and one of the best Windows programs ever, VLC allows users to install custom skins for VLC. It even hosts skins on its official website.
Download a skin and keep it in a place you’ll remember. Your file should be in the VLT format.
To install, open VLC. Then, head to Tools > Preferences. In the following window, click on the Use custom skin radio button. Next, click the Choose option and select the location of your VLT file.
Finally, select Save and exit VLC. Open VLC again and it should open with your theme installed. Here’s VLC before.
4.2 What Is RocketDock?
RocketDock is a tiny docking application that presents and launches programs from a dock. Everything about the dock, from the size to the icons, is customizable. All in all, it’s the single best docking software available online.
4.2.1 Getting Started With RocketDock
You can download and install RocketDock from the official website. Install as you would any other program. Once installed, click on your Start Menu and type in rocketdock. Select the RocketDock option. You default dock should now pop up.
RocketDock hosts plenty of features and options for users immediately after installation. Simply right-click your RocketDock to view your options.
If you want to take remove icons from your dock, click and drag the icon out of your dock. To add icons into your dock, drag the program shortcut into the dock like you would the desktop.
4.2.2 RocketDock Theme & Icon Changes
Another great aspect of RocketDock is the possible customization options. Right-click your dock and select Icon Settings. From this window, you can install various icons installed on your PC. If you’re looking for icons, we’ve got you covered. It suffices to say if you want to download free icons, head over to Flaticon and search for your favorites.
Download the icon or icon pack, and unzip if necessary. Then, click on the + sign on the left-hand side of the window and locate your icon folder. From here, click on the dropdown buttons until you find your icon images. They’ll appear on the right-hand side of the window.
Select whatever icon you wish and click OK. Repeat this with every icon.
Furthermore, you can customize the dock itself. Right-click your dock and select Dock Settings. Select the Style option and click on the dropdown menu below Theme. Select an option from this menu, and your dock should change immediately.
To install third-party custom themes, head to the following link and download a theme for RocketDock. Unzip the file, and then copy and paste the unzipped folder in C:\Program Files (x86)\RocketDock\Skins (or whatever disk drive letter you’ve installed RocketDock on). Restart RocketDock and head to your Theme settings to change your dock’s theme to the newly downloaded one.
Just like that, you have a completely custom RocketDock with a custom theme and custom icons! For reference, I used Pokemon Go for the icon set and A Little Pixel as the theme.
4.2.3 RocketDock Alternatives
If you don’t wish to use RocketDock for whatever reason, there is a paid alternative called ObjectDock. It has the same abilities as RocketDock, though it is a bit newer and is also customizable. MakeUseOf goes into the settings and advanced settings of ObjectDock.
4.3 Fences
Fences, a program created by Stardock, is an application that allows you to create small fences on the desktop, which can help you sort the clutter on your desktop. Try it out using the 30-day trial, if you’re curious.
Download and install the program. It will require that you enter your email and activate the trial via email link.
4.3.1 Getting Started
Once you’ve downloaded Fences, it’s surprising how intuitive the program is. For one, your desktop programs should organize immediately.
To create a fence, left-click your desktop and drag. An option will open which reads Create Fence here. Name the fence whatever you’d like — I named mine Programs for my program files. Drag and drop a program into this fence, and you will now be able to access this program via your fence.
That’s the basics of it, but that’s not all you can do. You can also enact rules in Fences, which not only automatically organizes your files but downloads particular files into your fence automatically.
To do so, right-click your desktop and select Configure Fences. Click on the Sorting & organizing option to open the Type-based rules selection. Since I’m making a programs-based fence, I’ll check the Program Shortcuts option. A small additional option will open asking that you choose a Fence for your files. Click on the link and select an option, in my case the Programs fence.
Scroll down and click on the Apply rules now link.
Voilà! All of your program shortcuts should now have automatically merged into your Program fence. You can also check the Keep rules applied at all times option to send program shortcuts to this fence every time you’ve downloaded one onto your desktop.
We’ve only scratched the surface of what you can do with Fences, mind you, so feel free to play around with the software.
That said, now you know how to utilize the organizing power of Fences from the get-go! Once you start using Fences, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.
4.3.2 More Customization
As with most programs presented in this list, you can customize the look of Fences very easily. Right-click your desktop and select Configure Fences. Then, select Color & appearances. Under Background Style and Color, click on the drop-down menu and select a particular Fence (or keep the option at All Fences).
Using the color sliders, adjust the color and saturation of your fences. Your changes should take effect automatically.
So, here’s an example of what my desktop looked like before.
Here’s my desktop after organizing files with Fences and adjusting their color.
Not only are my icons organized, the Fences aesthetic can’t be any more satisfying.
5. Best-Of: Instant Customization
5.1 Best-Of List
While you may want to go for a system that really fits you, I understand that sometimes you just want it to look a bit better than the default themes and skins that Windows 10 has to offer. Here is a list of tools you’ll want to use if you want a custom-to-order desktop. They’re reliable, largely free, and will create fantastic results.
- UltraUXThemePatcher: Without this, you’d be hard-pressed to find a custom theme for Windows 10 that actually works.
- Rainmeter: This is the widget king. The extent to which you can modify this is astounding, and there is no end to the tutorials and guides that can help you make Rainmeter fit.
- Fences: Fences is beyond helpful in organizing clutter and making your desktop a bit more pretty. You can change the colors of the fences how you wish, label them, and drop in all the files that we know are cluttering your desktop. Section 5.2 can tell you how to use it.
- VLC Player: There’s always going to be a debate on what’s the best media player, and for here I’ve decided that VLC will take the pedestal. Along with the vast customization options, it offers a wealth of other abilities, from playing some videos to actually streaming YouTube videos and playlists within the VLC application.
- F.lux: It’s very unhealthy to stare at a screen at night. The blues in the light simulate sunlight, and it means that getting to sleep can be a lot harder. Flux solves this problem, by reducing the blue hues as day turns to night. It takes a while to get used to it, but you’ll sleep better, and it reduces strain on the eyes.
- Classic Shell: Many who switched to Windows 8 instantly disliked it for a lot of reasons, but especially the death of the start menu. This problem is (partially) solved with the 8.1 update, but this application should let you get back that beloved windows button – and its menu.
With these pieces of software, you’ll be able to turn Windows 10 (and most other modern Windows versions) into a personalized command console.
6. Wrapping Up
6.1 Making It All Come Together
Your desktop is just that — your desktop. You can turn it into anything. Change colors, change icons, change themes — within only a few minutes, you can create a desktop environment that will have friends and coworkers giving your screen a second look.
For example, the desktop presented above only requires a GIF and a few Rainmeter skins to create. Just like that, you have a desktop with a distinct color palette and looping movement using free software and a little know-how.
Keep in mind that your desktop will only be as good as the time you put into it. While a proper, beautiful desktop may take minutes to set up, it may take hours of skin scavenging and option changing to configure your desktop exactly.
6.2 Best Practices
There are a few things I absolutely have to mention before you go crazy customizing every aspect of your Windows 10 UI.
Always create a system restore point before editing your desktop and UI. Always. Whether you’ve been customizing Windows since XP, or just started, you can still run into problems at every step. In fact, developers will often make this fact as clear as possible.
Additionally, less is more when it comes to Windows customization. Most seek to stack as much functionality as humanly possible into their desktop, only to see it once a day. That is, before shutdown. Even if you only install Fences onto your desktop, you’ve shed the load of a cluttered desktop. Stick with one or two desktop customization programs at a time.
6.3 Interested in More Customization?
If you are interested in some more tutorials and articles on customization, there is a wealth of programs and tutorials right here on MakeUseOf that you can use. Here’s a simple list containing some of our best tutorials for using a few of the programs listed below.
Facebook has a privacy problem. It’s no secret. You hear stories about that every other day. So to help users understand their settings better, Facebook has released a new tool called Privacy Check-up.
Christian is a recent addition to the MakeUseOf community and an avid reader of everything from dense literature to Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. His passion for technology is only matched by his want and willingness to help; if you have any questions concerning (mostly) anything, feel free to email away!