Windows 8: Prevent programs from automatically pinning to the start screen
Most programs automatically try to attach themselves to the Windows 8 start screen. This quickly makes the page confusing. We show you how to prevent this.
Turn off automatic pinning in Windows 8
- Download the free "AutoPin Controller" tool.
- Unzip the downloaded ZIP archive. The "AutoPinController.exe" program is ready to start without further installation. It is best to put a shortcut on the desktop.
- Before you install new programs or apps in the future, start the tool and click on "Lock" Pin to Start Screen "feature".
- You can now start setups without making changes to the start screen. Then turn the lock off by clicking on "Unlock" Pin to Start Screen "feature".
Note: The lock is based on the fact that Windows 8 saves the configuration of the start screen in the file "appsFolder.itemdata-ms", which is located in the subfolder "AppData \ Local \ Microsoft \ Windows" in your profile. The tool ensures that changes are temporarily not possible there.