Start Programs mess

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robyn
  • Start date Start date
R

Robyn

Hi there, I've spent months trying to figure out how to tidy up the
Start Programs menu. I have 2 columns of programs. Programs I
installed when I first bought the pc are in alphanumerical order
followed by programs that have no folder, just an icon. Then there is
another group at the emd that are again in alphanumerical order and
consist of all programs installed in the last couple of months. I'd
like the last group to be blended into the first group.

If I go to the Start folder in Windows Explorer, most of the programs
aren't even visible in there as shortcuts and the few that are there
are in alphabetical order. I have tried arranging icons by different
name but it makes no difference and I've checked that no files are
hidden via the Tools menu - folder options.

Can some kind soul please point me in the right direction as I'm
getting sick of the mess. How embarrassing to have to ask something
that probably has a simple answer.

Thanks in advance for your time
Robyn
 
I think you can organize them by right-clicking somewhere in the programs list and choosing to arrange the icons in whichever way you prefer under the arrange icons submenu. (it worked in Win98 at least.) I am unfortunately currently unable to test this as I'm not using Windows (of any type) on this computer.
 
If you want to take care of your start program, you won't find all programs listed in the Start folder in Windows Explorer. Instead, right-click the Start button, choose "open all users", and there you go.
 
Hi there, I've spent months trying to figure out how to tidy up the
Start Programs menu. I have 2 columns of programs. Programs I
installed when I first bought the pc are in alphanumerical order
followed by programs that have no folder, just an icon. Then there is
another group at the emd that are again in alphanumerical order and
consist of all programs installed in the last couple of months. I'd
like the last group to be blended into the first group.

If I go to the Start folder in Windows Explorer, most of the programs
aren't even visible in there as shortcuts and the few that are there
are in alphabetical order. I have tried arranging icons by different
name but it makes no difference and I've checked that no files are
hidden via the Tools menu - folder options.

Can some kind soul please point me in the right direction as I'm
getting sick of the mess. How embarrassing to have to ask something
that probably has a simple answer.
Click to expand...
Robyn,

I think you have two options. You can right-click on the menu and tell it
to alphabetize, in which case it does what you observe, producing several
lists, each alphabetized. It looks like certain select files are listed
first, then folders, and then isolated files.

The alternative (as far as I can tell) is to be careful to _avoid_ _ever_
selectiing alphabetize, after you have done a manual rearrangement, on
pain of losing the fruit of your efforts. But you can rearranged them by
ordinary (left-click) drag and drop on the menu itself.

srdiamond
 
None of my friends have XP. Besides I like to work things out for myself.

months...why haven't you asked for help from some of your friends in this
time frame.....
 
Thanks but they're still not all there. Open Office for example doesn't show
up nor does NoteTab but they are present in the Programs on the Start menu..

If you want to take care of your start program, you won't find all programs
listed in the Start folder in Windows Explorer. Instead, right-click the
Start button, choose "open all users", and there you go.
 
Hi there, I've spent months trying to figure out how to tidy up the
Start Programs menu. I have 2 columns of programs. Programs I
installed when I first bought the pc are in alphanumerical order
followed by programs that have no folder, just an icon. Then there is
another group at the emd that are again in alphanumerical order and
consist of all programs installed in the last couple of months. I'd
like the last group to be blended into the first group.
Click to expand...
Robyn,

I think you have two options. You can right-click on the menu and tell it
to alphabetize, in which case it does what you observe, producing several
lists, each alphabetized. It looks like certain select files are listed
first, then folders, and then isolated files.

srdiamond

OK, ok, so I'm an idiot :)
I was trying to right click on a blank area of the menu as I assumed if I
right clicked over a program it would only sort the program's icons.
Shouldn't have assumed, should I.

Thanks big heaps!
Robyn
 
Hi there, I've spent months trying to figure out how to tidy up the
Start Programs menu. I have 2 columns of programs. Programs I
installed when I first bought the pc are in alphanumerical order
followed by programs that have no folder, just an icon. Then there is
another group at the emd that are again in alphanumerical order and
consist of all programs installed in the last couple of months. I'd
like the last group to be blended into the first group.

If I go to the Start folder in Windows Explorer, most of the programs
aren't even visible in there as shortcuts and the few that are there
are in alphabetical order. I have tried arranging icons by different
name but it makes no difference and I've checked that no files are
hidden via the Tools menu - folder options.

Can some kind soul please point me in the right direction as I'm
getting sick of the mess. How embarrassing to have to ask something
that probably has a simple answer.

Thanks in advance for your time
Robyn
Click to expand...

What is it that you want to do? If you just need to sort the lists:
Right click anywhere in the start menu and select Sort By Name. One my
system this seems to work best if I'm right clicking on a single item
instead of a folder. Repeat the steps for each column or folder menu.

If you are wanting to continue in your organizing efforts, work with these
two folders:
Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\
Documents and Settings\<you>\Start Menu

Clicking start to expose the start menu is a graphical representation of
the contents from the two sources listed above. Items in the All Users
folder will appear in the start menu of any user on that computer. Things
in your start menu folders appear only on your start menu (other users do
not see them).
 
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