Start/Program Files expand setting...how do I change this?

[Guest]

Ok, I saw this somewhere on this newsgroup but I can't find it now...so sorry for the repeat question. When I click Start/Program files, it "used" to display all my programs in a row. Now, for some reason, I have to click the "expand" arrows to show all of my programs. I haven't installed any new programs. I have checked, and unchecked, every option in My Computer/Properties/Advanced Tab/Performance Settings button, and nothing corrects this. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Guest]

I'd like the answer to this one too. Also regarding the favorites menu. Is it possible to see all entries in these menus?

 

[Guest]

Janice, I found this elsewhere on the site...
Assuming you are using the Windows classic Start menu, this will do it for you.

Right-click the Start button > Properties > Customize: uncheck "Personalized menus" here.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Janice;
Give this a shot.

Right click the Start button | Properties |
Start Menu tab | Customize button | Advanced tab |
Scroll down to and UNCheck  *Scroll Programs |
OK | Apply | OK

[*Specifies whether to display the items on the Programs menu as one long scrolling menu or as
horizontal pages. Depending on your screen resolution, if you have more than 29 or 38 programs
installed, and you select to have one long scrolling menu, you can access the programs you don’t see
by clicking the arrow at each end of the list of programs.]

 

[Guest]

Hi, thank you both for the help. Unfortunately, the "Scroll Programs" box in both Start Menu options was already unchecked. I tried checking it, and unchecking it, and the programs menu still pops out half the size where I have to click it to expand it. Any other ideas? XP is such a pain.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Janice;
Screen resolution?

Maybe make the Start Menu smaller to start with
by creating folders to house similar shortcuts.
i.e. A folder for Utility Programs, one for Office stuff,
one for whatever, etc.

 

[Guest]

Hi again Janice. I had the same problem you do, which is how I ended up here last night, and how I found your post
Forget the scroll programs box. Do this

Right click the Start button > click Properties > click Start Menu tab > click Customize button > scroll down through the Advanced Start Menu options and make sure " Use Personalized Menus" is unchecked
The Programs menu and the Favorites menu should now show all entries

Having upgraded just a month ago, I agree that XP is kind of a pain, and the problem you're having is something that bugged me also. Until last night
Good luck
Jerr
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Guest]

Hi Wesley, thanks so much for responding. I always get afraid once my post is off the main page that it'll get forgotten lol. I could do as you suggested and I'm quite sure that would stop the annoying expand arrows, but I'm curious as to why the setting, whether checked or unchecked, has absolutely no effect whatsover. I know this is a trivial issue, but it seems like every other week, another setting goes weird and doesn't work right. And I completely formatted and reinstalled just about a week ago to see if that could fix some bugs. It fixed one bug with my "show windows contents while dragging" problem. I'm just afraid of what setting won't work next. Is XP buggy in the "settings" department?

----- Wesley Vogel wrote: -----

Janice;
Screen resolution?

Maybe make the Start Menu smaller to start with
by creating folders to house similar shortcuts.
i.e. A folder for Utility Programs, one for Office stuff,
one for whatever, etc.

 

[Guest]

I'll be darned...that works. Ok, now I'm wondering what in the heck personalized menu's has to do with the menu expanding? Is this a bug? Anyhow, you're a gem for finding a solution. Hope I can get more answers on this issue...I welcome anyone's reply's. Thanks all!

 

[Guest]

Na, no bug, just Microsoft thinking they know what's best for us.
Here's Microsoft's wording regarding personalized menus, taken from the help files...

Personalized Menus simplifies the Programs menu by hiding items you haven't used recently, while keeping all of your programs easily accessible.
You can still gain access to hidden programs by clicking Start, pointing to Programs, and then clicking the down arrow at the bottom of the menu.

....I also had the problem when I selected Favorites from the toolbar on top. To show all I had to go to Internet Options > Advanced tab and once again look for the "use Personalized" box and uncheck it.

 

[Guest]

Ok well I think I'll be coming to you with ALL my XP annoyances from now on. Hope you don't mind lol. But gosh this bugged me. I looked literally everywhere to find an answer to this and couldn't find a single helpfile on it. I'm guessing the helpfile is right under my nose isn't it? Ok so now you have to watch for my posts and find answers to all the rest of the annoyances I find Deal? Actually, if you have any other suggestions on other settings that are annoying...let me know? I greatly appreciate all your help!

 

[Guest]

The help file explained to me what personalized menus were, but I didn't know that was my (our) problem until I waded through about 20 pages in this newsgroup last night.
Glad to be of help. You can always write me at (e-mail address removed). I don't pretend to know all, but I'm pretty good at finding answers, and happy to share what I know.