Windows 10: How to make Windows 10 start menu entries backed by the file system get re-indexed and...

In contrast to former versions of Windows, the start menu of Windows 10 is not entirely and directly based on a directory structure anymore. Instead, there's a process reading those directories under certain circumstances and writing entries into some intermediate database, from which the content of the start menu is then build. The reading process as well as the intermediate database have certain limitations, like only 500 entries at all in the past, entries not being updated regularly or at all or soon enough etc. In fact, this process is very fragile and there are a lot of problems associat

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Files missing from "Start Menu" "All Programs"

RE: WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE 32bit, Files missing from "Start Menu" "All Programs" list.

I have several "start menu" programs missing in my "all programs" list. One of the missing entries is the "accessories" folder and all related files.

As far as I can tell all of the missing files are on the system and they can be found by using the "start menu search" facility. This problem is occurring with other users but I can not find a solution which works to get things back the way they were after installing the OS.

I am seeing the missing apps and other items at this location in iexplore.exe %allusersprofile%\Start Menu\Programs .

Everything I have tried to get these items back into my "start menu" "all programs" list has been met with failure except creating a shortcut. A shortcut is not the real fix as it leaves two entries in the folder.

When I right click on the highlighted "all Programs" box, in the start menu, a small options list pops up, if "open all users" is selected a new window pops up. Inside that window I can click on the programs folder where I can see the missing entries that should appear on my "all programs" list plus those which I presently see on my "all programs" list together in a single directory listing.

How can I get the above directory list of programs back into the "start menu" "all programs" area so I do not have to go through this extra window and select the programs folder to locate what I wish to run?

I also noticed my accessories folder has a lock on it while I am in the primary user administrator account. If you know how to get rid of the lock it would be helpful however I can find that information when I get a chance to look up the answer?

I noticed some hidden (first tier) folders on the C: drive which I made visible while leaving protection on the OS folders. I can now see these folders in an iexplore.exe directory listing. This did not fix the problem in the "all programs" file selection list and I do not remember if this folder was hidden when the OS was installed.

When I opened up the system to allow a login directly into the Administrator account everything shows up the same as it did when the OS installed along with all other programs installed afterward.

After some progress I am still here *Bang Head :banghead: and slowly getting closer to an answer. Can anyone help me get there a little faster?

 

Start menu folders are not indexed

Hello, using the Cortana search bar you should be able to
- find anything that's been indexed (but no files/folders that have not)
- find Settings
- find start menu entries
- be directed to an internet search
- get Cortana 'thinking' by asking questions like 'What did you dream about'

I've probably missed sthg.
Now when you say you can search for programs... what distinction are you making between
universal apps
desktop programs
system programs and features
start menu entries?

For clarification, could you post
- a screenshot of your start menu showing some entries listed down the left side
- a screenshot of Cortana open using Windows key + S, where you have typed one of those start menu entries

Thanks!

Note: coming from Win 7, you will most likely be really happy using Classic Shell (free) - especially if you upgraded. Win 10's start menu fails to express a start menu based on folders and subfolders, taking out ALL the shortcuts and listing them alphabetically.

Thus I get
Help
Help
Help
Help
.....

where these are all for separate programs.

 

Windows Index won't start

Hi Edward,

Corrupted search catalog files might be a possible cause why you are experiencing an issue with stating the Windows index. To address this concern, we suggest rebuilding your search catalog. Doing so can repair search results and indexing of your Microsoft
Windows and Microsoft Office system data files.

Follow these steps to rebuild the search catalog:

• Open Control Panel.
• In the Search box, type Indexing, and then choose Indexing Options.
• Click on Troubleshoot search and indexing.
• Answer the prompts to successfully run the troubleshooter.

If the same issue persists, we suggest performing the following troubleshooting methods:

Method 1:

Run the System File Checker tool. It is a utility that allows users to
scan for corruptions in Windows system and restore corrupted files. The link contains further information about how to run the System File Checker tool.

Method 2:

Run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool. This tool will automatically repair the components of your Windows operating system and records the corruptions to the log file.

To run the DISM tool, follow these steps:

• Using Search, type Command Prompt.
• Right-click on Command Prompt on the search results and then select Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password or click Yes.
  
• In the Command Prompt window, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, and then hit Enter.
  
• Once the scan is finished, restart your computer.

Let us know if further assistance is needed.