Customizing Start Menu

[Pansy Editor]

I use the keyboard much more than the mouse, and I customize my start menu
(classic menu style) by goint into Windows Explorer and putting folders under
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu. When I want to start MS Word,
I use the keyboard and do: (windows button), down arrow, down arrow, left
arrow, then enter. I know the exact sequence for every program I use daily.

I just had a major malfunction and had to have my guru reinstall my
operating system, the I had to reinstall all of my programs. When he saw what
I was doing, he said that "creating folders in the Start Menu structure can
confuse my registry and slow down my system".

I told him I wouldn't do it this time, but I'm struggling with finding all
my programs that I traditionally open without taking my hands from the
keyboard.

Can anyone verify that changing/adding folders to the C:\Documents and
Settings\All Users\Start Menu either IS or ISN'T damaging to the fast
functionality of my system?

My theory is that Microsoft wouldn't make is to easy to do if it were
detrimental, but I just got laughed at with that statement. All feedback
welcome.

 

[TaurArian]

Pansy Editor wrote:
:: I use the keyboard much more than the mouse, and I customize my
:: start menu (classic menu style) by goint into Windows Explorer and
:: putting folders under C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
:: Menu. When I want to start MS Word, I use the keyboard and do:
:: (windows button), down arrow, down arrow, left arrow, then enter. I
:: know the exact sequence for every program I use daily.
::
:: I just had a major malfunction and had to have my guru reinstall my
:: operating system, the I had to reinstall all of my programs. When he
:: saw what I was doing, he said that "creating folders in the Start
:: Menu structure can confuse my registry and slow down my system".
::
:: I told him I wouldn't do it this time, but I'm struggling with
:: finding all my programs that I traditionally open without taking my
:: hands from the keyboard.
::
:: Can anyone verify that changing/adding folders to the C:\Documents
:: and Settings\All Users\Start Menu either IS or ISN'T damaging to the
:: fast functionality of my system?
::
:: My theory is that Microsoft wouldn't make is to easy to do if it were
:: detrimental, but I just got laughed at with that statement. All
:: feedback welcome.


I re-arrange programs all the time - sometimes the odd program doesn't like
it and will create a new entry in the Start Menu where it wants to be etc.
but leaving your new created sub-folder as is.

"Right click Start button
Select Explore and/or Explore All Users.
Then open the Programs folder.
Create new subfolders then rearrange shortcuts.
OR
You can also configure your programs list to scroll which results in one
large column.
Right-click the Start button
Go to Properties
Click the Customize button.
Click the Advanced tab.
Scroll through the list until you see the item "Scroll Programs".
Check that and hit OK. "

You can also pin frequently used programs to the Start Menu - like Word etc.

Right click the short-cut and choose "pin to start menu".

It's a matter of choice really.

--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no warranties
or guarantees and doesn't give any rights. Computer Maintenance:
Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco

 

[Twayne]

I use the keyboard much more than the mouse, and I customize my start
menu (classic menu style) by goint into Windows Explorer and putting
folders under C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu. When I
want to start MS Word, I use the keyboard and do: (windows button),
down arrow, down arrow, left arrow, then enter. I know the exact
sequence for every program I use daily.

I just had a major malfunction and had to have my guru reinstall my
operating system, the I had to reinstall all of my programs. When he
saw what I was doing, he said that "creating folders in the Start
Menu structure can confuse my registry and slow down my system".

I told him I wouldn't do it this time, but I'm struggling with
finding all my programs that I traditionally open without taking my
hands from the keyboard.

Can anyone verify that changing/adding folders to the C:\Documents and
Settings\All Users\Start Menu either IS or ISN'T damaging to the fast
functionality of my system?

My theory is that Microsoft wouldn't make is to easy to do if it were
detrimental, but I just got laughed at with that statement. All
feedback welcome.

Hmm, that doesn't match my experience at all, nor that of my daughter
who, like you, much prefers her hands never leave the keyboard. That's
so little data (text even) that I can't imagine it doing anything to
slow anything down or especially "confuse" the registry. It's just data,
after all.
IMO the fact that you're using the keyboard to input commands is
perfectly fine and of no negative consequence to anything. Many macros
operate exactly that same way too, simply automating keystrokes. Nearly
anything a mouse can do can be done from the keyboard.

If you like it and it worked well for you, go ahead. I can't imagine
any reasons not to. I suspect your methodology may have just surprised
or confused him and he didn't want to be having to recreate it on his
own.

In windows there are always several ways to do most any task. I'm not
sure my choice would be the same as yours, but each to his own and ymmv,
you know?

Just one comment: Are you familiair with all of the XP shortcuts
available? They might be of some use to you:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449
and
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301583

HTH,

Twayne

 

[Jim]

On Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:38:07 -0700, Pansy Editor <Pansy

I use the keyboard much more than the mouse, and I customize my start menu
(classic menu style) by goint into Windows Explorer and putting folders under
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu. When I want to start MS Word,
I use the keyboard and do: (windows button), down arrow, down arrow, left
arrow, then enter. I know the exact sequence for every program I use daily.

I just had a major malfunction and had to have my guru reinstall my
operating system, the I had to reinstall all of my programs. When he saw what
I was doing, he said that "creating folders in the Start Menu structure can
confuse my registry and slow down my system".

I told him I wouldn't do it this time, but I'm struggling with finding all
my programs that I traditionally open without taking my hands from the
keyboard.

Can anyone verify that changing/adding folders to the C:\Documents and
Settings\All Users\Start Menu either IS or ISN'T damaging to the fast
functionality of my system?

My theory is that Microsoft wouldn't make is to easy to do if it were
detrimental, but I just got laughed at with that statement. All feedback
welcome.

Your computer : use it how YOU want . ( Registry doesn`t get confused
- only the operator )