Re: Star Menu Confusion

From: Sharon F (sharonfDEL_at_ETEmvps.org)
Date: 02/02/04 

Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2004 19:48:17 -0600

On Sun, 1 Feb 2004 20:37:33 -0500, JamesJ wrote:

> I'm the only user on this machine.
> I'm using the classic start menu.
>
> I installed a program on my system yesterday. It put it's shortcuts
> in C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\{current_username}\START MENU's Programs
> folder.
> I installed a program today and it put it's shortcuts in C:\DOCUMENTS AND
> SETTINGS\ALL USERS\START MENU Programs folder.
> I have no idea what folder I need to go to make changes. Going into
> Settings/TaskBar and Start Menu and to the Start Menu's Advanced tab puts me
> in C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\{current_username}\START MENU
> Then I need to navigate back to C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\START
> MENU
> in order to move the program I installed today.
> VERY CONFUSING!!!
>
> Am I doing anything wrong here?
> Why is xp looking in two different folders to populate the Star Manu?
>
> Thanks,
> James

You're fine. In WinXP, every user's start menu is built from shortcuts
stored in the following two locations:
Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
Documents and Settings\<user account>\Start Menu

When you install programs that use a setup routine that is XP-aware, you
will be asked if you want to install for All Users or current user. When
the setup routine is not XP-aware, it is anybody's guess where the start
menu shortcuts will end up.

For quicker organizing of the start menu, try this:
Right click the Start button and select Explore.
Right click again and select Explore All Users.

You now have two Windows Explorer screens open to the start menu folders
that create your start menu. Drag, drop, copy and move to your heart's
content until you have the Start Menu set up the way that you want it. 

-- 
Sharon F
MS MVP - Windows XP Shell/User
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