How to Manage App Launch Tracking in Windows 11

This post shows steps for students and new users to turn on or off app launch tracking in Windows 11.

Windows can personalize your Start menu based on the apps that you launch. This lets you quickly access your list of most-used apps in the Start menu and when you search your device.

It is a way to personalize your Start menu based on the apps that you launch. Over time, based on your app launch pattern, Windows should provide quick access to your frequently used apps.

Enabling or disabling app launch tracking in Windows 11 depends on personal preferences. The feature is enabled by default to provide quick access to frequently used apps in the Start menu and when searching the device.

However, some users might prefer to disable the feature for privacy reasons or to prevent cluttering of the Start menu. Disabling app launch tracking will also remove the feature that shows the most used apps on the Start menu under All apps.

By following the steps outlined in the post, users can easily enable or disable app launch tracking in Windows 11 according to their preferences.

How to enable or disable app launch tracking in Windows 11

As mentioned above, you can enable or disable the tracking of app launches in Windows 11.

Here’s how to do it.

First, open the Windows Settings app.

Then, select Privacy and security on the left and the General tile on the right to expand it.

Next, select the “Let Windows improve Start and search results by tracking app launches” tile. Then, toggle the switch button to the On position to enable it.

To disable it, toggle the button to the Off position.

Exit the Settings app when you’re done.

Enable or disable app launch tracking using group policy

Another way to disable or enable app launch tracking is to use the Local Group Policy Editor.

First, open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc). (Search for “Edit group policy”) on the Start menu.

Then, navigate the folders below:

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Edge UI

In the Group Policy details pane on the right, locate and double-click the “Turn off tracking of app usage” settings.

On the “Turn off tracking of app usage” window, set the option to Not Configure, Enabled, or Disabled.

• Not Configured (default) – same as Disabled.
• Enabled  – apps will not be tracked but will be sorted alphabetically in:
  • search results
  • the Search and Share panes
  • the drop-down app list in the Picker
• Disabled – Windows will keep track of the apps that are used and searched most frequently. Most frequently used apps will appear at the top.

Click OK to save your changes. You may have to reboot your device for the settings to apply.

Turn on or off app launch tracking using the Windows Registry Editor

Yet another way to enable or disable app launch tracking is to use the Windows Registry editor.

First, open the Windows Registry and navigate the folder key paths below.

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EdgeUI
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EdgeUI

Next, double-click the DisableMFUTracking (REG_DWORD) name on the System key’s right pane to open it.

Then, enter a value 1 to disable app launch tracking.

If you do not see the “DisableMFUTracking” item, right-click a blank area and create a new DWORD (32-bit) registry item.

Then, enter the name “DisableMFUTracking” and enter a value 1 to disable it.

To restore the default behavior and allow app launch tracking, delete the “DisableMFUTracking” name created above.

Save your changes and restart your computer.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• App launch tracking in Windows 11 enhances personalization by providing quick access to frequently used applications.
• Users can easily enable or disable this feature based on their preferences and privacy concerns.
• There are multiple methods to adjust app launch tracking: through the Windows Settings app, Local Group Policy Editor, and Windows Registry Editor.
• Ensuring settings are correctly applied may require a device reboot.
• Following the outlined steps, users can customize their Start menu experience to match their usage habits and preferences.