Windows XP: I’d like to put a file folder in the start menu and then a number of utility program short cuts in it. I know how to add programs in the start menu but this I can’t seem to figure out.
This is a bit tricker than it looks, but I can show you a way that you can accomplish this that’s not too terribly difficult. First off, create a new folder on your Windows desktop by right-clicking on the desktop and choosing New –> Folder.
I named mine “faves” but you can choose another name, of course.
Now go to your Start menu and for each application you want to have show up in your faves folder, simply drag the program’s name directly from the Start menu “All Programs; menu to the Desktop. This will create a set of shortcuts for the applications you like the most.
Now, drop ’em all into your “faves” folder. Here’s what mine looks like:
At this point you can just drag it directly onto your Start menu by dragging the folder icon onto the word “Start” on the lower left and waiting until the menu pops up:
That, however, creates a shortcut to the folder, not a simple way to get to the individual applications within the folder, so I find it less useful than enabling Favorites (right click on the Start menu, choose Properties and under the Start Menu tab, select “Show Favorites”) and dragging and dropping the “faves” folder there instead:
Just drop it on the word “Favorites” here for this to work. Once it’s done, you’re in like Flynn and any time you want, just move your mouse over to Favorites –> faves and you’ll get a simple list of your favorite apps just a click away:
I wouldn’t be surprised to find that there are yet other ways to solve this puzzle, but I hope that these two solutions give you enough ideas to achieve the customization of your menu that you seek!
I want the single column start menu like I had in Win XP!
I am trying to do something similar to this, but using a batch file.
Using Windows XP with the Star Menu configured in the ‘easy’ mode rather than the Classic mode, when I drop a shortcut icon onto the Start button, it appears at the top of the Start menu’s list when I click on the Start button. However, I don’t see the shortcut in the registry or in any of the accounts directories under the documents and settings folder. In fact, when I searched for it using the Windows search function, the shortcut’s name was not found other than on the desktop where it was when I dropped it onto the Start button.
Nick thompsons way is much superior however.
Yes, but you then did not go on to say that you can drag the folder OUT of favourites and onto the actual list of programs on the start menu, where it will now stay (not as shortcut like you would have if you dragged straight from desktop).
Strange. regarding my previous comment… the double slash… i put something there but it got wiped out. anyway, in between those slashes goes your username.
You can also do it like this:
1. Go to DRIVE:\Documents and Settings\\Start Menu
2. Here you can either add your new folder in “Programs” or just put it there.
3. If adding in “programs” your new folder will appear on the bottom half of the all programs menu from the start menu.
4. If adding just to the start menu (i.e not in “programs”) then your new folder displays in the top half of the all programs menu.
That is a neat way to add programs to the start menu. I will definitely use it in the future.
Respected Sir,
I want to create my own Ghost bootable CD. Please help me to create the Ghost bootable CD.