Custon items on the start menu

[George Valkov]

I have a question about the start menu.
On the left side of Windows XP start menu I can add shortcuts to whatever I
want.
Currently my left side is full of items and I want to add some more.
On the right side of the start menu, there are a few system items,
and a plenty of free space to fit my needs, but Explorer does not
allow me to add customized shortcuts there.

Can I use regedit or another utility to create shortcuts to folders
and / or programs there and how?



George Valkov

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

I have a question about the start menu.
On the left side of Windows XP start menu I can add shortcuts to
whatever I want.
Currently my left side is full of items and I want to add some more.
On the right side of the start menu, there are a few system items,
and a plenty of free space to fit my needs, but Explorer does not
allow me to add customized shortcuts there.

Can I use regedit or another utility to create shortcuts to folders
and / or programs there and how?

George

This is difficult to accomplish. MVP Kelly has a registry hack that you can
use to add a website to the right side of the start menu, but I believe this
is restrictewd to website shortcuts only. You can get it here:


It would be located here in the registry: Start/Run/Regedit. Navigate to
this key and remove/delete it:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]

If you prefer to replace it with another link on the Start Menu, download
this edit as an example. To modify the settings open the edit in Notepad
and change accordingly.

Add a Website to the Start Menu (Line 52)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

You will need to edit the registry file to change the shortcut from Kellys
website to another.

I think a better alternative is to simply add the Quick Launch toolbar to
the Taskbar. It will appear just to the right of the Start Button, by
default and will expand in the same way as the start menu.



--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://www.mvps.org

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Hi George,

You can also add a custom location instead of "Set program access and
defaults" on the start menu if you are running Windows XP SP1. Just post the
exact path, infotip and icon that you want and i can make a registry file
for you. As Ronnie has already suggested, you can visit Kelly's site and
download already made edits with which you can replace the My Music and My
Video shortcuts with your desired ones.

--

Regards,
Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org

Folder Customisations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Get Secure !!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Kelly]

Thanks, guys! )

Right click the Start button/Properties/Start Menu/Customize/Advanced.
Scroll down to My Documents/Display as a Menu (ok, ok).

Then right click the Start button/Explore All Users/Programs. Find the
program in question, right click and copy.

Then go to Windows Explorer and scroll down to: Use as an example:
C:\Documents and Settings\Kelly\My Documents and paste.

Then go to the Start Menu/My Documents. Your program should be listed there
now and cascading.

Several other options:

Find the .exe of the program in question, right click, Pin to Start Menu.
Note: it won't be on the right hand side nor cascading.

Replace My Pictures or My Music (Line 2)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Add a Folder to the Start Button - Right Click (Line 124)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Add a Folder Under the Run Command (Line 180)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

[George Valkov]

I spent some time reading the souce code of Your VBS script.
It will modify the registry and move the My Music / My Pictures folder to
another loaction.
I've already done this with regedit.exe and tweakui.exe.
Actually I am looking for a way to create a new folder / item that will
apear beside the My Music folder.
If I can execute a folder / application / html page / html application or
some script
from a new link on the right side of the start menu, then I can execute
whatever I want.
The question is: how can I add a new Item there and use it to execute any of
the above specified.

Thanks.


George Valkov

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Hi George,

Kelly's script replaces the shortcuts for My Music or My Pictures to point
at a location where the user desires. It is not possible to add a new
shortcut on the right hand side of the start menu. You can only edit the
locations of the shortcuts to point at a different place other than My Music
or My Pictures. If you are running Windows XP SP1, then you can also edit
the shortcut "Set Program Access and Defaults" and make it point to a
location of your desire. You can also add a shortcut in place of the OEM
link (right below the 'Run' in the start menu.

In any case, if you want the My Music, My Pictures or the OEM link to point
at a location (program, webpage, folder ect) of yoru choice, you may
download the following edits which will do it for you:

Add a Folder Under the Run Command (line 180, left column)

Add Folder to Start Menu - Replace My Pictures or My Music (line 2, right
column)

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--
Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org
http://www.dts-l.org

 

[Kelly]

You can't, there are only so many allotted spaces, period (to put it
non-technically).

 

[George Valkov]

I just changed the OEM link and now it points to a .MSC file (snai-in) that
includes
all af the features of the Computer Management plus more...
Everything that You'd ever like to manage on one place

Thank You!
And thanks to Kelly for the VBS script!

Now I have about 8 free slots on the right side of the Start Menu.
It would be nice to put something there too, but may be later...
.... I may spend some time editing the registry on my other system.
It's always safe to damage a Test Station anyway )

Tips:
Actually the idea of using the space on the right side of the Start Menu
is to put my programs Near (Start Menu\All Programs\... is too Far for me
)

Another tip for optimization is putting the Start Menu on the upper side of
screen.
The main idea is that generally You keep the mouse pointer on the upper side
of screen.
This is because Application titlebars; File, Edit, etc menus; and buttons
are placed
on the top of each window, so putting the Start Menu on the upper side of
screen will
short the distance

 

[Kelly]

Most welcome, George and thanks for the idea. )

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Glad to see that all is working George !

--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org

Folder customizations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect