Start Menu - Shortcuts

How to Add or Delete a Shortcut or Folder From the Start Menu in Vista

information   Information
This will show you how to add or delete items from both the Normal and Classic Start Menu All Programs area to help organize it.
Note   Note
This is the location for the two Start menu folders. You will need to have Show hidden files and folders checked in Folder Options to see these locations.

Account

Location

All Users

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Specific User

C:\Users\(user name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs


warning   Warning
If you place a folder shortcut in the Start Menu, it will not expand like a folder when clicked on. Instead, it will only open in a new window when clicked on. You will need to create a New Folder in the Start Menu for the folder to expand in it.
EXAMPLE: Normal Start Menu or Classic Start Menu
NOTE:
The shortcuts and folders are in the All Programs part of the left white side of the Start Menu. (See left screenshot below)
Start_Menu.jpgClassic.jpg



OPTION ONE
To Delete a Shortcut or Folder

1. Open the Start Menu.​
2. Click on All Programs.​
NOTE: You will click on Programs instead for the Classic Start Menu.
3. Right click on the shortcut or folder and click on Delete.​
NOTE: If the folder or shortcut came from the All Users location above, then you will need to approve the deletion first.​





OPTION TWO
To Add or Delete a Shortcut or Folder

For Only the Classic Start Menu
1. Right click on the Start button and click on Customize.
2. Click on Properties.
3. Choose your action: (See screenshot below table)​

Action

Description

Add

Browse to a program .exe file location to create a shortcut.

Remove

Delete a shortcut from the Classic Start Menu.

Advanced

Takes you to the window in the section below for both versions.

Sort

Just sorts the shortcuts in order.

Classic_Menu.jpg

For Both the Normal and Classic Start Menu
1. Right click on the Start button.​
2. To Open the Start Menu Used by All Users
A) Click on Open All Users or Explore All Users. (See screenshot below)​
NOTE: They open to the same location of: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
B) Go to step 4.​
Right_Click.jpg


3. To Open the Start Menu Used by the Current Single User Only
A) Click on Explore or Open. (See screenshot below)​
NOTE: They open to the location of:
C:\Users\(user name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Right_Click2.jpg


4. Click on the Programs folder. (See screenshot below)​
Programs.jpg

5. Add or delete the shortcut or folder for the Start Menu like you would any other file in a Explorer window. (See screenshot below)​
A)To Delete a Folder or Shortcut - Right click on the folder or shortcut and click on Delete.
WARNING: Deleting a folder will also delete any shortcuts that were in the folder.​
B)To Add a Shortcut - Drag and drop or cut/copy and paste the shortcut into this location.​
NOTE: To prevent the shortcut from easily losing it's correct Target (Program that it opens), create a shortcut directly from the program's .exe file (EX: C:\Program Files). Right click the .exe and click on Send To and Desktop
(create shortcut), and then move the shortcut into this location.
C)To Add a Folder - Right click an empty area in the window and click on New and Folder.​
NOTE: See the Warning at the top of the tutorial.​
Programs2.jpg



That's it,
Shawn




 

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Shawn, how to change the target for Music, Pictures or anything on the Start Menu?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq Presario C700
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    Intel Core 2 Duo 1.67 GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel GM965
    Memory
    2.5 GB (2 GB Transcend + 512MB Hyundai)
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    Intel Intergrated 965 Express Graphics
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    Alps Pointing Device Touchpad
    Internet Speed
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    Integrated Web-Camera
    (P.S. Have another custom-built PC with Win7 x64)
Sorry The Cool Guy, I'm not aware of any easy way to change the default target for the Start Menu buttons on the dark side. :(

Shawn

EDIT:
Asked Ted if he could post the method that he used. Hopefully it will work for you.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Shawn, how to change the target for Music, Pictures or anything on the Start Menu?


Hello TCG.


I haven't done this in a while but give this a go ... r click music, properties, location, move, select folder; and after you select a folder you get this: you don't want two copies do you? I just had "music" pointing to my "storage" drive but I canceled because I didn't want to keep it that way; but you get the idea. There are 3 r side links you can use but I can't remember, just play with it.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/107990-personal-user-shell-folders-move-location.html


Move.JPG C on R  Side.JPG

I hope this helps!


Later :shock: Ted
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
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    ASUS P5Q Pro
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    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
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    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
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    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
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    Corsair 620HX
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    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
Thanks a lot, Shawn and Ted. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq Presario C700
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 1.67 GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel GM965
    Memory
    2.5 GB (2 GB Transcend + 512MB Hyundai)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Intergrated 965 Express Graphics
    Sound Card
    Conexant High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Compaq
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    160 GB Compaq
    Keyboard
    Compaq
    Mouse
    Alps Pointing Device Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    2 Mbps Download, 512 Kbps Upload
    Other Info
    Integrated Web-Camera
    (P.S. Have another custom-built PC with Win7 x64)
I'm happy to hear that Ted's method worked for you. :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hello TCG.


I'm pleased I could be of assistance.


















Later :) Ted
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
Re: Start Menu - Shortcuts Location /Path incorrect

Hi Shawn /Ted
Today I decided to have my common behavior items - Docs Pics, Music etc showing on my startmenu . & I customised start menu accordingly ..BUT ALL of my Docs Pics, Music are pointing to an old location for those folders ..:confused:

I "moved" my data a long time ago, ( and as I havent used this feature on start menu hadnt noticed this location/path issue before today).

I moved mine with the help of Toshiba Tech Support over the phone when I was wanting to move all my personal docs to e drive for backup purposes. I remember talking to them about using the move location feature.. they said something about there being easier ways etc .. but to be honest I cant be sure if we did it Teds way or not .

I do recall being told to rename my old personal folders to Docs_old , Pics_old etc to avoid any poss confusion further down the line..

So basically on C drive there are now Pics_old, Music_old, Docs_old etc and on e drive Documents, Pictures, Music ...

Well now there IS confusion ...for me

SO to clarify what I Currently have showing on my start menu is this

On the right hand side in the grey area, Documents_old which is pointing to
C:\Users\myname\Documents

As I said before, My Current docs location is: E:\Documents

All the startup menu ( Docs, Music, Pictures) are pointing to my old locations for those folders ( when they used to be on c drive)

My Q is how do I change the location of these startmenu ( COmputer, Documents, Music etc ) to point to my Current location ones on the e drive

I HOPE this makes sense

For what its worth Ive attached a small pic of this

Many Thanks

Tamtee
 

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My Computer

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  • Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba/ Satelite Pro. A300 109
Hello Tamtee,

When you right click on the user folders on C with old in the name and click on Properties, do they have a "Locations" tab still?

If so, then they did not actually get moved to E.

If you do the same to user folders on E, do they have a "Locations" tab?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
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