Windows 10: "Lock" start menu folder so program updates can't change it

I have sorted all my programs into folders in the start menu. However, it happens quite a lot that after a program updates itself, the program re-creates the shortcut in the start menu. So I end up with two shortcuts, one being the one created by the installer/updater and one put into a subfolder by me. (Or the opposite problem: the program creates a new subfolder with shortcuts to launch, deinstall, manual etc, but I had deleted that folder previously and only kept the actual launcher).



Is there any way to prevent programs - except for Windows Explorer - from modifying the start menu folders?

submitted by /u/joscher123
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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?

 

How do ya add to window start menu?

Make a Start menu shortcut to it in the All Programs section. Then drag it to the top left of the original Cascade menu. (Where windows update normally is).
lol @ folder name

 

Programs Missing From Start Menu (Windows 10)

My problem is that all my program shortcuts are in the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs directory but most are displayed under the Windows Administrative Tools in the All Aps list. I tried the steps in copying all the contents of
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs to a temp folder. They were all listed correctly, outside the Windows Administrative Tools folder, there. Then I deleted the temp folder as stated, checked the All Apps list and nothing had changed. I've
tried creating a new folder and placing all of the shortcuts not in a subfolder in the new folder - but only 2 of about 20 appeared in the All Apps list. So far I see no rhyme or reason as to which display and which don't but will look into that later when
I have more time to mess with this.