'Use personalized menus' not working

[Brian]

I just purchased a Dell Dimension 3100 with Win XP Pro pre-installed, used
Files and Settings Wizard to transfer stuff from my old Win XP Pro machine
and all seems fine, except for one thing.
On other XP Pro machines that I run, the Classic Start Menu initially
displays Programs and Favorites in a shortlist format of the most recently
visited items. If you hesitate for a few seconds or click on the down
arrow at the bottom of the list, the whole list then appears.
The new Dell machine only displays the whole list of Programs or Favorites
and, with a long list it's a pain if you want an item at the end of the
list. All machines have the same Start Menu boxes ticked.
I have tried talking to Dell (Sorry, we only support the hardware) and MS
(Sorry, we don't support OEM versions). I've also searched Google but
without success.
'Use personalized menus' is ticked but it makes no difference. Furthermore,
the same applies to 'Enable personalized favorites'
in Internet Explorer; only the full list is displayed.
I have gone all through the Start Menu settings on the other machines and,
as far as I can see, they are identical.
Can anyone identify what is wrong here? Am I missing some crucial setting?

Brian

 

[Wesley Vogel]

With the Classic Start Menu, both of these need to be UNChecked.

Classic Start Menu >>
Right click the Start button | Properties |
Start Menu tab | Customize button |
Scroll down to and UNCheck both of these:
Scroll Programs * |
Use Personalized Menus **
Click OK | Click Apply | Click 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.]

[**Specifies whether to turn on Personalized Menus.
Personalized Menus keeps the Programs menu clean by hiding items you haven't
used recently, while still keeping other programs easily accessible. You
can gain access to hidden programs by clicking the down arrow at the bottom
of the Programs menu.]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Brian]

With the Classic Start Menu, both of these need to be UNChecked.

Classic Start Menu >>
Right click the Start button | Properties |
Start Menu tab | Customize button |
Scroll down to and UNCheck both of these:
Scroll Programs * |
Use Personalized Menus **
Click OK | Click Apply | Click 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.]

[**Specifies whether to turn on Personalized Menus.
Personalized Menus keeps the Programs menu clean by hiding items you
haven't
used recently, while still keeping other programs easily accessible. You
can gain access to hidden programs by clicking the down arrow at the
bottom
of the Programs menu.]

Thanks Wes but that confuses me enormously.
On another PC with XP, that works as I want it to, both Scroll Programs and
Use Personalized Menus are checked so that is what I have done with the new
PC.
In another group, one user told me to verify the status of the DWORD for
IntelliMenus and that is 1, as it should be. Another guy tells me that a new
machine takes as long as two weeks to determine the most recent programs and
favorites.
I'm still confused.

Brian

 

[Wesley Vogel]

You lost me. Maybe you need to look at NoInstrumentation.

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
IntelliMenus
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...s/2000/server/reskit/en-us/regentry/93172.asp
[[Description
Enables and disables personalized menus, and determines whether users can
change the setting.

This entry stores the setting of the Disable personalized menus Group
Policy. Group Policy adds this entry to the registry with a value of 1 when
you enable the policy. When you disable the policy or set it to Not
configured, Group Policy deletes the entry from the registry, and the system
behaves as though the value is 0.

Windows personalizes long menus by moving recently used items to the top of
the menu and by hiding items that have not been used recently. Users can
display the hidden items by clicking an arrow to extend the menu. ]]

[[This entry takes precedence over a user setting. When this entry appears
in the registry with a value of 1, a policy is in effect and the system
ignores the value of Intellimenus (in the Explorer\Advanced subkey) and
removes the Use Personalized Menus option from the Start menu. If users
cannot find the Use Personalized Menus option, check the setting of the
Disable personalized menus policy.

Personalized menus require user tracking. If you enable the Disable user
tracking policy, Group Policy sets the value of NoInstrumentation to 1. As a
result, the system disables user tracking and personalized menus, and
ignores the value of the Intellimenus entry.]]

NoInstrumentation
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...s/2000/server/reskit/en-us/regentry/93173.asp
[[Description
Disables user tracking.

A value of 1 prevents the system from tracking the programs users run, the
paths they navigate, and the documents they open. The system uses this
information to customize Windows features. As a result, the system disables
customized menus and other features that require user tracking information.

This entry stores the setting of the Disable user tracking Group Policy.
Group Policy adds this entry to the registry with a value of 1 when you
enable the policy. If you disable the policy or set it to Not configured,
Group Policy deletes this entry from the registry, and the system behaves as
though the value is 0.]]

What is your exact problem?


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

With the Classic Start Menu, both of these need to be UNChecked.

Classic Start Menu >>
Right click the Start button | Properties |
Start Menu tab | Customize button |
Scroll down to and UNCheck both of these:
Scroll Programs * |
Use Personalized Menus **
Click OK | Click Apply | Click 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.]

[**Specifies whether to turn on Personalized Menus.
Personalized Menus keeps the Programs menu clean by hiding items you
haven't
used recently, while still keeping other programs easily accessible. You
can gain access to hidden programs by clicking the down arrow at the
bottom
of the Programs menu.]

Thanks Wes but that confuses me enormously.
On another PC with XP, that works as I want it to, both Scroll Programs
and Use Personalized Menus are checked so that is what I have done with
the new PC.
In another group, one user told me to verify the status of the DWORD for
IntelliMenus and that is 1, as it should be. Another guy tells me that a
new machine takes as long as two weeks to determine the most recent
programs and favorites.
I'm still confused.

Brian

 

[Brian]

You lost me. Maybe you need to look at NoInstrumentation.

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
IntelliMenus
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...s/2000/server/reskit/en-us/regentry/93172.asp
[[Description
Enables and disables personalized menus, and determines whether users can
change the setting.

This entry stores the setting of the Disable personalized menus Group
Policy. Group Policy adds this entry to the registry with a value of 1
when
you enable the policy. When you disable the policy or set it to Not
configured, Group Policy deletes the entry from the registry, and the
system
behaves as though the value is 0.

Windows personalizes long menus by moving recently used items to the top
of
the menu and by hiding items that have not been used recently. Users can
display the hidden items by clicking an arrow to extend the menu. ]]

[[This entry takes precedence over a user setting. When this entry appears
in the registry with a value of 1, a policy is in effect and the system
ignores the value of Intellimenus (in the Explorer\Advanced subkey) and
removes the Use Personalized Menus option from the Start menu. If users
cannot find the Use Personalized Menus option, check the setting of the
Disable personalized menus policy.

Personalized menus require user tracking. If you enable the Disable user
tracking policy, Group Policy sets the value of NoInstrumentation to 1. As
a
result, the system disables user tracking and personalized menus, and
ignores the value of the Intellimenus entry.]]

NoInstrumentation
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...s/2000/server/reskit/en-us/regentry/93173.asp
[[Description
Disables user tracking.

A value of 1 prevents the system from tracking the programs users run, the
paths they navigate, and the documents they open. The system uses this
information to customize Windows features. As a result, the system
disables
customized menus and other features that require user tracking
information.

This entry stores the setting of the Disable user tracking Group Policy.
Group Policy adds this entry to the registry with a value of 1 when you
enable the policy. If you disable the policy or set it to Not configured,
Group Policy deletes this entry from the registry, and the system behaves
as
though the value is 0.]]

What is your exact problem?

Thanks again but neither of these policies are present in the registry.
Is it possible that it is a matter of time before the personalized menus
become operative. If so, I guess there must be a cache file somewhere.

Brian

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Brian,

Is it possible that it is a matter of time before the personalized menus
become operative.

I believe that you are correct...

[[Personalized Menus is enabled by default for both the Start menu and the
Internet Explorer Favorites menu. You may need to use your computer for
several weeks before unused menu items are demoted (hidden). After an item
is demoted, it is no longer displayed when you open the menu. To gain access
to a demoted item, click ">>" at the bottom of the menu to expand the entire
menu. Demoted items are displayed in a lighter color when the entire menu is
expanded. ]]
Enabling "Use Personalized Menus" Setting Does Not Take Effect Immediately
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255662/en-us

[[If infrequently-used menu commands or shortcuts are still not demoted
after you restart Internet Explorer, you may need to wait for as much as a
week or more for the item to be demoted. ]]
Enable Personalized Favorites Menu Feature Does Not Take Effect Immediately
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257128/en-us

You may also find these interesting.

"Use Personalized Menus" Option in Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Has No
Effect on Internet Explorer Favorites Menu
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257045/en-us

HOW TO: Show All Items on the Start Menu or Favorites Menu
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/230596/EN-US/

Policy Settings for the Start Menu in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292504

Description of the Start Menu in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279767

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

You lost me. Maybe you need to look at NoInstrumentation.

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
IntelliMenus
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...s/2000/server/reskit/en-us/regentry/93172.asp
[[Description
Enables and disables personalized menus, and determines whether users can
change the setting.

This entry stores the setting of the Disable personalized menus Group
Policy. Group Policy adds this entry to the registry with a value of 1
when
you enable the policy. When you disable the policy or set it to Not
configured, Group Policy deletes the entry from the registry, and the
system
behaves as though the value is 0.

Windows personalizes long menus by moving recently used items to the top
of
the menu and by hiding items that have not been used recently. Users can
display the hidden items by clicking an arrow to extend the menu. ]]

[[This entry takes precedence over a user setting. When this entry
appears in the registry with a value of 1, a policy is in effect and the
system ignores the value of Intellimenus (in the Explorer\Advanced
subkey) and removes the Use Personalized Menus option from the Start
menu. If users cannot find the Use Personalized Menus option, check the
setting of the Disable personalized menus policy.

Personalized menus require user tracking. If you enable the Disable user
tracking policy, Group Policy sets the value of NoInstrumentation to 1.
As a
result, the system disables user tracking and personalized menus, and
ignores the value of the Intellimenus entry.]]

NoInstrumentation
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...s/2000/server/reskit/en-us/regentry/93173.asp
[[Description
Disables user tracking.

A value of 1 prevents the system from tracking the programs users run,
the paths they navigate, and the documents they open. The system uses
this information to customize Windows features. As a result, the system
disables
customized menus and other features that require user tracking
information.

This entry stores the setting of the Disable user tracking Group Policy.
Group Policy adds this entry to the registry with a value of 1 when you
enable the policy. If you disable the policy or set it to Not configured,
Group Policy deletes this entry from the registry, and the system behaves
as
though the value is 0.]]

What is your exact problem?

Thanks again but neither of these policies are present in the registry.
Is it possible that it is a matter of time before the personalized menus
become operative. If so, I guess there must be a cache file somewhere.

Brian

 

[Brian]

Hi Brian,

Is it possible that it is a matter of time before the personalized menus
become operative.

I believe that you are correct...

[[Personalized Menus is enabled by default for both the Start menu and the
Internet Explorer Favorites menu. You may need to use your computer for
several weeks before unused menu items are demoted (hidden). After an item
is demoted, it is no longer displayed when you open the menu. To gain
access
to a demoted item, click ">>" at the bottom of the menu to expand the
entire
menu. Demoted items are displayed in a lighter color when the entire menu
is
expanded. ]]
Enabling "Use Personalized Menus" Setting Does Not Take Effect Immediately
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255662/en-us

[[If infrequently-used menu commands or shortcuts are still not demoted
after you restart Internet Explorer, you may need to wait for as much as a
week or more for the item to be demoted. ]]
Enable Personalized Favorites Menu Feature Does Not Take Effect
Immediately
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257128/en-us

You may also find these interesting.

"Use Personalized Menus" Option in Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Has
No
Effect on Internet Explorer Favorites Menu
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257045/en-us

HOW TO: Show All Items on the Start Menu or Favorites Menu
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/230596/EN-US/

Policy Settings for the Start Menu in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292504

Description of the Start Menu in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279767

Heh, Wes, that looks like the answer! It would be great if they warned the
unsuspecting purchaser. It would certainly save a lot of time trying to find
out what's wrong.

Thank you so much for all your efforts.

Brian

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Ve get too soon oldt and too late schmardt. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Hi Brian,

Is it possible that it is a matter of time before the personalized menus
become operative.

I believe that you are correct...

[[Personalized Menus is enabled by default for both the Start menu and
the Internet Explorer Favorites menu. You may need to use your computer
for several weeks before unused menu items are demoted (hidden). After
an item is demoted, it is no longer displayed when you open the menu. To
gain access
to a demoted item, click ">>" at the bottom of the menu to expand the
entire
menu. Demoted items are displayed in a lighter color when the entire menu
is
expanded. ]]
Enabling "Use Personalized Menus" Setting Does Not Take Effect
Immediately http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255662/en-us

[[If infrequently-used menu commands or shortcuts are still not demoted
after you restart Internet Explorer, you may need to wait for as much as
a week or more for the item to be demoted. ]]
Enable Personalized Favorites Menu Feature Does Not Take Effect
Immediately
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257128/en-us

You may also find these interesting.

"Use Personalized Menus" Option in Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Has
No
Effect on Internet Explorer Favorites Menu
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257045/en-us

HOW TO: Show All Items on the Start Menu or Favorites Menu
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/230596/EN-US/

Policy Settings for the Start Menu in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292504

Description of the Start Menu in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279767

Heh, Wes, that looks like the answer! It would be great if they warned the
unsuspecting purchaser. It would certainly save a lot of time trying to
find out what's wrong.

Thank you so much for all your efforts.

Brian