Windows 8.1 Removing Start Menu Items

The new Tiles Start Screen or “Metro Style” Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1 is great and all, but since it’s a huge change from previous versions of Windows, not all programs know how to add their programs properly to it. Because of this, you will notice a lot of “Documentation” and “Uninstall” programs cluttering up a rather neat screen.

But, luckily there is a really simple way to remove items from your Start Screen. (It could be easier if they add a direct button to remove it, maybe someone will make this or a future Windows update). The process is the task of navigating to Start Menu Programs directory under “Program Data” and delete unwanted shortcuts. Below is a detailed step by step guide along with a video.

Removing Programs from Start Menu

Follow the steps below, if you get stuck watch the video lower in the post.

1. Open the Start Menu (Windows Key) and go to all your programs (Click the Down Arrow visible in Windows 8.1 on the Tile Screen).
2. Find an item you no longer want to see, such as “Uninstall”
3. Right Click this item. On the bottom of the screen, the Options will appear, and click on “Open File Location”.
4. In the File Explorer window that opened up, delete the shortcut. All the files in these directories are only shortcuts, so deleting them will not do anything other than remove them from the Programs list.