Programs adding themselves to Start Menu

[John]

The XP start menu has a section where recently-run programs add
themselves. Normally I don't mind this because it makes them easy to
run again if I want to. But I'd like to change this behavior in two
ways:

First, I'd like some programs never to be added to the menu, even when
I run them. An example is Acrobat Reader, which I _never_ run from
the Start menu, but only by clicking on a .pdf file, so I never want
it to be in the menu.

Second, some programs -- Word and Excel are among them -- get added to
this recently-used section when I run them, even though they are
already in the regular, permanent part of the menu. I don't need two
copies of them and I'd like to prevent this from happening.

Can anybody help me do either of these? Thanks


Reply-to address is real
John

 

[Unknown]

Only Microsoft themselves.

 

[Nepatsfan]

The XP start menu has a section where recently-run programs add
themselves. Normally I don't mind this because it makes them easy to
run again if I want to. But I'd like to change this behavior in two
ways:

First, I'd like some programs never to be added to the menu, even when
I run them. An example is Acrobat Reader, which I _never_ run from
the Start menu, but only by clicking on a .pdf file, so I never want
it to be in the menu.

Second, some programs -- Word and Excel are among them -- get added to
this recently-used section when I run them, even though they are
already in the regular, permanent part of the menu. I don't need two
copies of them and I'd like to prevent this from happening.

Can anybody help me do either of these? Thanks


Reply-to address is real
John

Take a look at these articles.

How To Prevent a Program from Being Displayed in the Most Frequently Used
Programs List in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/284198

Prevent Applications Being Listed In Recent Programs
http://www.howtogeek.com/wiki/Start_Menu#Prevent_Applications_Being_Listed_In_Recent_Programs

Show Programs in the Frequently Used Programs List
http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/1134/

Basically it comes down to modifying this registry key.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\(Program)

Keep in mind that you need to identify the file name that launches the
program you want to prevent being displayed. For example, Microsoft Word
will be listed as Winword.exe, Acrobat Reader as AcroRD32.exe. Once you've
done that right click in the right hand pane and select New -> String from
the menu. Name the new string NoStartPage. Close the registry editor and
restart the computer. Check the Start menu to make sure the program is no
longer being listed.

If you find that a program is being listed in the MFU section of the Start
menu but you don't find a corresponding entry under that registry key, you
need to create a new registry key. Right click on Applications in the left
hand column and select New -> Key from the menu. Give the new key the same
name as the file that launches the application. For example, I've got a
program named Secunia PSI that while it shows up under the frequently run
list doesn't have an entry under the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications key. But
if I create a new subkey named psi.exe with a new string value of
NoStartPage the program will no longer be listed on the MFU portion of the
Start menu.

Note: Keep in mind that before editing the registry it's a good idea to run
System Restore and create a new restore point just in case something goes
wrong.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[ju.c]

Using Tweak UI is easy, fast and trouble free.

Run Tweak UI and expand "Taskbar and Start menu"
Open "Start Menu" and tick some boxes. Easy.


Microsoft Tweak UI 2.10 147 KB (Freeware)
Info: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
Download: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe


ju.c

 

[Unknown]

Sorry for my wrong answer. I learn something new each day.