Start>>Programs list getting too large

  • Thread starter Thread starter Annabelle
  • Start date Start date
A

Annabelle

I recently added many programs, including a lot for my PDA. I desperately
need to organize my Programs list into folders, but after dragging a new
folder into the list, I cannot drag other folders into it. I went to
C:\Programs, and those programs were combined into folders, like "Office"
and "Canon." So, the Start>>Programs list breaks open those folders, and I
want them back.
Surely there must be a way to accomplish this, as there is a limit to screen
size, and some folks have hundreds of applications. My Programs list is
getting long enough and disorganized enough to be almost useless.
 
Hello, Annabelle,

You can manage your Programs list by right-clicking on Start, selecting
Explore, and then manipulating the folders and shortcuts in the Programs
folder that opens in Windows Explorer. You should also know that some of
your program menu items are going to be under All Users instead. You can
view those by selecting Explore All Users when right-clicking on the Start
button. You could, of course, move all of the folders and shortcuts into
one or the other--your own Programs folder or the All Users--but this is an
advanced approach that could cause you problems.

Opus
 
Thanks for replying. I wonder why MS Office was not on the list? I want to
put all those apps into a folder, but they are not on the list of Programs,
either for All Users or for my account. Further, it is not possible to
create a New Folder in the All Users Program list, so organizing my Programs
still eludes me. What do other Window users do when they have a lot of
programs?
 
I reorganize my folders any way I like--usually by moving all folders and
shortcuts to my own Programs folder.

Are you not able to work with All Users because it is protected?

Opus
 
You do not hav eto look under C:\Programs, that is the folder where they are
installed !
Look under C:\Dcouments and settings->user-name->start menu : there you can
do what you want to reorganize.
As stated by Opus, many programs make their shortcuts under the user "All
Users" : so take a look there as well. Office probably installed them there
 
No, I can work with All Users, but the Office apps I use are not on any
Programs list I can find. See reply to MoiMeme.

Are you saying that if I move my Programs to a new location and put them in
new folders to my convenience, Windows will not have a problem?

Further, is it truly impossible to organize the Programs directly on the
Start>>Programs list? I thought I did this in a previous XP installation.
 
You cannot organize PROGRAMS from start menu, only the SHORTCUTS to them !
If you move programs ( C:\program files) you will loose functionnality !
Only way to move PROGRAMS is uninstall thenreinstall using "custom" settings
and there define path for installing program.
Many also ask at that time if they should install for all users (
c:<doccuments and settings\all users) or only current user ( that is what
you want). Some well conceived also ask where you want to put the programs
SHORTUCTS in your start menu
 
Thanks. So, what does the average person do when their Start>>Programs list
begins to run off the page? Stop using the Start Menu, and use QuickLaunch
or the Desktop instead? I am having trouble seeing how Windows would be
designed to run out of space this way.
 
Reorganise !
Simply create subfolders in which you will put the shortcuts
My start menu is short :
- Scanner & OCR
- Tools
subfolders Audio Tools
subfolders:
Editors
Rip
Conversion
MP3 tools
System Tools
subfolders
Registry
Tweaks
etc...
CD burning
Nero
Feurio
etc....
etc...
- Photos
- OpenOffice
- Fax & Phone
- Accessories ( contains MS Windows tools)
- Dictionnaries


That maintains my menu short, easy to navigate because well organised by
tasks to execute

This reorganiszation can easily be done by opening in explorer c:\documents
and settings\Annabelle\Start Menu\Programs
There create the wanted folders / subfolders and move your shortcuts and
existing start menu folders into these new ones
Also move all entries in c:\documents and settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs to the Annabelle\Start Menu\Programs folders

Try it. It is not complex. Just a little time consuming the first time.
Afterwards do as I wrote for each new program you install, or if it does not
allow to choose where to put it's shortcuts, open your c:\documents and
settings\Annabelle\Start Menu\Programs folder in explorer and simply
drag-drop ( right-click and drag to where you want it to be) the new start
menu entry created by the just installed program into the correct subfolder
you want it to be located.
 
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