The Windows Start Menu has been improved with every version of Windows. In Windows 10, users can easily uninstall the applications from the Start Menu without any need of opening the Settings app. This is a very convenient feature that saves time for users for uninstalling any application on their system. However, if the PC is used by multiple users, then the standard users can also use this feature to uninstall the applications. In such cases, you can simply disable the uninstall feature of the Start Menu for that specific user.

How to Prevent Users from Uninstalling Applications from Start Menu in Windows? - 1

Uninstall feature disabled from Start Menu

Preventing Users from Uninstalling Apps from Start Menu

Whether you are using your own or guest account, you may want to prevent others from easily or accidentally uninstalling applications from the Start Menu . We already have an administrative tool that can help in disabling this feature on Windows 10. The Local Group Policy Editor has a specific setting, especially for this feature. However, we have also included the Registry method for the users that do not have access to the Local Group Policy Editor.

Method 1: Using the Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor is a Microsoft Management Console through which users can control the working environment of the user and computer accounts. An administrator can use this tool to modify the different type of settings for their operating system that isn’t available in the Control Panel or Settings app.

Note : If you are using the Windows Home operating system, then skip this method and try the Registry Editor method.

  1. Press the Windows + R key combination to open a Run dialog. Next, type “ gpedit.msc ” and press the Enter key to open the Local Group Policy Editor on your system. Opening the Local Group Policy Editor
  2. In the User Configuration category of the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path: User Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Start Menu and Taskbar\ Navigating to the setting
  3. Double-click on the “ Prevent users from uninstalling applications from Start ” setting and it will open in another window. Now change the toggle option to Enabled , so you can enable this setting. Enabling the setting
  4. Click on the Apply or Ok button to save the changes made. This will remove the uninstall option from the Start Menu.
  5. To enable it back, you need to change the toggle option back to Not Configured or Disabled in step 3.

Method 2: Using the Registry Editor

The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that contains all types of settings that the Windows operating system uses. This is an alternative method for disabling the uninstall feature from Start Menu. If you already used the Local Group Policy Editor method, then it will automatically update your registry regarding this setting. Before trying the below steps, you can create a backup to be extra safe. Follow the below steps to try it out:

  1. Press the Windows and R key combination to open a Run dialog. Next, type “ regedit ” and press the Enter key to open the Registry Editor on your system. If prompted by UAC , then click on the Yes button. Opening the Registry Editor
  2. In the Current User Hive, navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
  3. Right-click on the right pane of the window and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option. Name this newly created value as “ NoUninstallFromStart “. Creating a new value in Registry Editor
  4. Double-click on this value and then change the value data to 1 . Enabling the value
  5. Finally, make sure you restart your system after making the changes. This will remove the uninstall option from the Start.
  6. To enable it back, you will need to change the value data back to 0 or remove the value from the Registry.

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

The “ Cannot change fingerprint or PIN ” problem in Windows 11 happens when the options to change these settings are greyed out in Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. Even if you are the administrator, you can’t update your Windows Hello credentials. You might also see a message like “ This option is temporarily unavailable. ”

How to Prevent Users from Uninstalling Applications from Start Menu in Windows? - 2

Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

This usually happens because Windows Hello’s stored data (in the Ngc folder) is damaged or not in sync. Other reasons include security rules set by your workplace or school, connected work accounts, or restrictions set in the registry or group policy.

Now that you’re aware of the potential causes, let’s go through some steps that have helped other users fix or work around this problem:

1. Change the PIN or Fingerprint the Conventional Way

If your goal is to remove the fingerprint or PIN without setting up another sign-in method, please note that this is not possible on Windows 11.

Windows 11 requires you to have at least one Sign-in option enabled. The Remove button will remain grayed out if you only have one active sign-in method.

How to Prevent Users from Uninstalling Applications from Start Menu in Windows? - 3

Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

For example, the Remove button for your PIN will stay unavailable until you add a different sign-in option (like Facial Recognition, Fingerprint, or a Security Key).

If you want to stop using your PIN or Fingerprint, you’ll need to set up an additional way to sign in.

Below are step-by-step instructions to set up a new sign-in option and then remove your current one:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. Inside the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the vertical menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If the left menu is hidden by default, click the menu button (top-left corner) to reveal it.
  3. Once in the Accounts menu, move to the right-hand section of the screen and select Sign-in options. Accessing the Sign In Options menu
  4. Now, choose which sign-in method you’d like to set as a fallback. Sign-in Options Note: Your available options depend on your device. If your PC doesn’t support facial recognition or you don’t have a security key, you can switch between PIN and fingerprint.
  5. After you pick your new sign-in method, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
  6. Once your second sign-in option is set, you’ll be able to click the Remove button to get rid of your previous sign-in method. You can also choose Change PIN or Change Fingerprint to update, rather than remove, your sign-in credentials. Modify the current PIN or remove one of the configured sign-in options

2. Remove PIN or Fingerprint Requirement by Using a Local Account

If you want to completely remove all sign-in options like PIN or Fingerprint, you will have to switch to a local account .

We generally don’t recommend this unless you really need to, as it can limit the functionality of some built-in Windows features (like Windows Update and the Microsoft Store).

If you still want to remove your PIN or Fingerprint sign-in, you’ll need to set up a local account with a password instead. Keep in mind, this means you’ll need to stop using your Microsoft account on your PC.

Important: This method isn’t available if you’re enrolled in the Windows Insider program.

To change from a Microsoft account with PIN or fingerprint to a local password, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. In the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If you don’t see the left menu, click the menu icon (top-left corner).
  3. Inside Accounts , click on Family & other users on the right-hand side. Accessing the Family and other users tab
  4. In the Family & other users tab, check for any accounts listed under Other users. If you find any, remove them before moving on.
  5. Next, return to the main Accounts menu and click on Your info on the right. Accessing the Your Info tab
  6. Scroll down to Account Settings and click on Sign in with a local account instead . Sign in with a local account instead
  7. On the next screen, click Next .
  8. When prompted, enter your current PIN or use your fingerprint as requested. Inserting the PIN
  9. Then, you’ll be asked to create a username and password for your new local account, along with a password hint in case you forget. Configure the local account
  10. Finally, click Sign out and finish to complete the switch.