Jim wrote:
Lem, that approach works well for the executable. However, it doesn't
recreate the normal folder for that program, with a flyout menu for the
executable, uninstaller, readme document, etc. Isn't there a more
global approach to refreshing the All Programs list? I'm comfortable
with making changes to the registry, if needed.
Thanks for your help,
Jim
Jim wrote:
When I click on the Start button, and select All Programs, many of the
programs that are installed on my computer do not show up in the list.
Those missing programs ARE listed in Windows Explorer. The missing
programs are also listed properly under Control Panel, Add or Remove
Programs. If I click on the Desktop shortcut or the executable in
Windows Explorer for one of those missing programs, they run normally.
How can I refresh the list of installed programs on the All Programs
list?
I reinstalled Windows XP on this system last May, have all updates,
and everything else is working great. I first noticed this issue
about 2 weeks ago. Switching to the Classic Start Menu did not
correct the problem. I run in Administer mode only, with hidden files
and folders shown under Views. This computer is a Dell XPS 210, with
Windows XP Professional operating system (version 5.1.2600, SP3) and 2
GB memory.
Thanks,
Jim
1. Right click on Start
2. Click on Open All Users (or just Open if you want an entry to show
up only for you and not others who use the computer).
3. In the Windows Explorer window that opens, double click on Programs.
alternative to 1 -3:
Start>Run>
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
OK
4. Click File > New > Shortcut
5. Browse to the exe file for the desired program; type a name; finish
the Create Shortcut Wizard.
6. Repeat 4 & 5 as needed.
--
Lem -- MS-MVP
Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/index.html
In general, there's no "one-button fix." You have to add items to the
Start Menu one by one.
I'm pretty sure that System Restore does NOT monitor Start Menu links,
but if (a) this behavior started recently, (b) you have been running
System Restore, and (c) you have not installed anything since the last
time things worked correctly, you can try using System Restore to return
to that point. You can always UNDO a System Restore restoration if it
doesn't do what you want.
The "flyout" menus you are describing are merely subfolders within
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
For example, you might have a folder like
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Malwarebytes'
Anti-Malware
with the following shortcuts (you probably won't see the lnk extension)
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.lnk [shortcut to "C:\Program
Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe"]
Uninstall Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.lnk [shortcut to "C:\Program
Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\unins000.exe"
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Help.lnk [shortcut to "C:\Program
Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.chm"]
Actually, my start menu has the folder
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Anti Malware\
and the "Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware" folder described above is a
sub-folder in that. So, on my Start > All Programs list I see an entry
Anti Malware
and when I hover the mouse over that, a sub-menu appears that includes
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
in addition to the names of all of the other antimalware apps I've
installed.
I don't actually get to the shortcut to start MBAM until I move the mouse
twice more. It's a bit more mouse work, but it makes the Start Menu much
better organized.