Vista Tutorial - Start Menu - Shortcuts

**Brink** · **Account** **Location**

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 All Programs area 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.

Account	Location
All Users	C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Current 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 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:
How 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.

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.

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 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.

That's it,
Shawn

**The Cool Guy** · 4 Weeks Ago

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

**Brink** · 4 Weeks Ago

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.

**Bare Foot Kid** · 4 Weeks Ago

	Quote:	The Cool Guy
	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.

Personal User Shell Folders - Move Location

I hope this helps!

Later

Ted

**The Cool Guy** · 4 Weeks Ago

Thanks a lot, Shawn and Ted.

**Brink** · 4 Weeks Ago

I'm happy to hear that Ted's method worked for you.

**Bare Foot Kid** · 4 Weeks Ago

Hello TCG.

I'm pleased I could be of assistance.

Later

Ted