Organizing the Start, Programs menu - but how?

[Bill in Co.]

I'm still a little confused about this. It seems that when a program is
installed, it sometimes is added to:
C:\Documents and Settings\{Current User Name}\Start Menu
and at other times is added (instead) to:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu

(in some cases, there is a choice - but often it defaults to one)

So for a single user case like mine, what is the best way to consolidate all
this?
Sometimes it seems I need to use "Open All Users" (to just see one subset of
the programs), and sometimes I need to use "Open" (to see another subset of
programs), and it gets a bit confusing and hard to manage. Is there some
clean, organizational solution here? If so, what is the preferred
solution? And is there a way to force all newly added programs to either
go to All Users OR Current User, from now on? (Again, I'm the only user of
this computer).

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

it all depends on the
makers of the software
and whether or not
they install themselves
under the current profile
or give you the option
to install for all users.

to reorganize those shortcuts
simply right click on the
start menu and select explore.

you will find folders for
each user and sub folders
for start menu and desktop,

you can cut and paste the
shortcuts as you see fit.

as a suggestion, make a
system restore point before
proceeding with the above.

--

<)))º>·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

..

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I'm still a little confused about this. It seems that when a
program is installed, it sometimes is added to:
C:\Documents and Settings\{Current User Name}\Start Menu
and at other times is added (instead) to:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu

(in some cases, there is a choice - but often it defaults to one)

So for a single user case like mine, what is the best way to
consolidate all this?
Sometimes it seems I need to use "Open All Users" (to just see one
subset of the programs), and sometimes I need to use "Open" (to see
another subset of programs), and it gets a bit confusing and hard to
manage. Is there some clean, organizational solution here? If
so, what is the preferred solution? And is there a way to force all
newly added programs to either go to All Users OR Current User, from
now on? (Again, I'm the only user of this computer).

This is all due to the way the installation routine did its job - yell at
the people who make the software you install when you see this happen.

I tend to move anything in c:\documents and settings\myname\start
menu\programs into the ....\all users\start menu\programs folder.

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was 1/30/2008 2:59 PM, and on a whim, Bill in Co.
pounded out on the keyboard:

I'm still a little confused about this. It seems that when a program is
installed, it sometimes is added to:
C:\Documents and Settings\{Current User Name}\Start Menu
and at other times is added (instead) to:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu

(in some cases, there is a choice - but often it defaults to one)

So for a single user case like mine, what is the best way to consolidate all
this?
Sometimes it seems I need to use "Open All Users" (to just see one subset of
the programs), and sometimes I need to use "Open" (to see another subset of
programs), and it gets a bit confusing and hard to manage. Is there some
clean, organizational solution here? If so, what is the preferred
solution? And is there a way to force all newly added programs to either
go to All Users OR Current User, from now on? (Again, I'm the only user of
this computer).

Hi Bill,

If you're the only user, it doesn't hurt having it that way. Like
others stated, it's up to the installer program as to where the program
shortcuts are put, and sometimes you're not asked where to put them.
Obviously for a network workstation, one would usually want everything
installed to All Users. But for single use it can be confusing.

You could move the shortcuts in All Users or to your profile if you
prefer, or the other way around in case another user is ever created (or
your profile gets corrupt and you need to log in as another user).

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.