Windows Server 2025 Terminal Servers - start menu pinned icons

Question

I'm designing the config for some terminal servers running Server 2025.

I want to pin specific icons to the start menu. In Server 2022 (or Windows 10), this was simply a process of setting up the reference machine how I wanted it, then

Export-StartLayout -Path "C:\Export\MStartMenuLayout.xml" to generate the config file, whcih was then applied using the GPO Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Start Menu and Taskbar\Start Layout - this worked fine.

On Server 2025 (and Windows 11), however, it appears that this doesn't work the same any more. Although the export command works, it generates a JSON file now rather than an XML. OK, so I saved the file with the JSON extension, and copied the old GPO, amending the name of the config file to point to the new one.

However, it still doesn't work and this documentation:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configuration/start/layout?tabs=intune-10%2Cintune-11&pivots=windows-11

Would appear to indicate that it can only be done using Intune. If it was Windows 11 I could do that, but as this is Server 2025 it isn't an option - Intune cannot manage server OSs even if I wanted to do that.

Can anyone suggest any alternative methods of doing this? All I want to do is configure a common set of pinned apps for all users - I'm not bothered about configuring any other aspects of the start menu as the defaults are OK.

Thanks

Answer 1

Hello

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

While Intune is often recommended for managing these settings in Windows 11, there are alternative methods you can try for Server 2025.

Alternative Methods to Configure Pinned Apps on Server 2025

1.Using Group Policy with JSON:

Although the traditional XML method is no longer applicable, you can still use Group Policy to deploy the JSON configuration file. Ensure that the JSON file is correctly formatted and referenced in the Group Policy.

Steps:

1. Customize the Start layout on a reference machine.
2. Export the Start layout to a JSON file using Export-StartLayout -Path "C:\Export\StartMenuLayout.json".
3. Place the JSON file in a shared location accessible by all target machines.
4. In Group Policy Management, navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar -> Start Layout.
5. Enable the policy and specify the path to the JSON file.

2.Using PowerShell Scripts:

You can create a PowerShell script to apply the Start layout configuration during user logon.

Example Script:

$jsonPath = "C:\Path\To\StartMenuLayout.json"

$jsonContent = Get-Content -Path $jsonPath -Raw

$startLayout = ConvertFrom-Json -InputObject $jsonContent

Apply the Start layout configuration

(Implementation depends on specific requirements and environment)

3.Provisioning Packages:

Create a provisioning package using the Windows Configuration Designer tool.

Steps:

1. Open Windows Configuration Designer and create a new project.
2. Add the Start layout JSON file to the project.
3. Export the project as a provisioning package.
4. Apply the provisioning package to the target machines.

4.Local Group Policy Editor:

If managing a small number of servers, you can manually configure the Start layout using the Local Group Policy Editor on each server.

Steps:

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2. Navigate to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar -> Start Layout.
3. Enable the policy and specify the path to the JSON file.

These methods should help you configure a common set of pinned apps for all users on your Server 2025 terminal servers without relying on Intune.

Best Regards,

Wesley Li

Answer 2

Hi,

I have tried applying the JSON using a GPO as you describe above, and it doesn't appear to work.

Also, this Microsft document: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configuration/start/layout?tabs=intune-10%2Cintune-11&pivots=windows-11

States that:

The JSON file can be applied to devices using the Start policy CSP only. It's not possible to apply the JSON file using group policy.

The instructions are for W11, but I assume will also apply to Server 2025 in the same way that the instructions for W10 also apply to Server 2022?