How to Add or Delete a Shortcut or Folder From the Start Menu in Vista
Information
| | This will show you how to add or delete items from both the Normal and Classic Start menu to help organize it. |  |
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. For how, see OPTION TWO here: How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista
| Account | Location |
|---|
| All Users | C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs | | Single User | C:\Users\(user name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs |
|  |
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. |  |
RELATED LINKS: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)
| OPTION ONE: |
|---|
| How 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 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: |
|---|
| How to Add or Delete a Shortcut or Folder |
For Only the Classic Start Menu1. Right click on the Start button and click Customize.
2. Click 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. |
For Both the Normal and Classic Start Menu1. 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.
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
4. Click on the Programs folder. (See screenshot below)
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 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 in 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.
That's it,
Shawn
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