Windows 10: Start > Programs. How to show program name - not manufacturer's name?

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I have Windows 10 Pro.

I tried to find a seldom-used program using Start > Programs. The search took a long time, because the list of programs contained the manufacturer's name - not the name of the program.

Is it possible to edit or modify the entry so that I see the name of the program - rather than the name of the manufacturer?

Of course, as a last resort I can uninstall and re-install, making sure that I edit the default install location (which I normally do).

Thanks.
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:)

 

Since Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (1709) - Many app shortcuts are messed up in the Start Menu

I have the same problem. Some Program names also have (1) in there name and I don't know how to rename programs in START>Programs list.

 

cant find my games on windows 10

Click Start > All apps and look through the program list.

Or

Press Windows key + s

type the name of the game

See if it shows up.

 

Well, one way to make an easily found link to a program on Start it to pin it to Start. You get a tile on Start to launch it, and can rearrange and group the tiles to suit your needs. Sounds like you are 'old school' and don't use the Start tiles much. I was that way having upgraded from W7 to W10, but have increasingly found the tiles to be a most useful addition to Start.
'Pin to Start' and 'Unpin from Start' items in Windows 10
Group App Tiles on Start in Windows 10

But that's not what you asked. Yes, you can customise the All Apps list on Start. The list is actually a combination of two lists, one for all users and a personal one for each user. Older install programs would create a folder for the program on one or other of the Start menus and maybe several subfolders within that. Windows 10 only uses the top level folder, the sub-level folders (if any) are 'flattened' so all links will appear beneath the top level folder in All Apps. Rename this top level folder and the name will change in All Apps.

The easiest way to find where Start menu links are (either in All users or Personal lists) is to find the app on Start, right-click on it and under 'More>' select 'open file location'. This will open File Explorer where the appropriate Start menu link is stored. You can then rename the folder containing the link (you'll need admin rights if this is the All Users menu). Restart explorer.exe for the changes to take effect (or reboot). Note that renaming the folder will prevent uninstall from finding and removing the links from Start should you ever wish to uninstall the program.

Add or Remove Items for All Apps in Start menu in Windows 10
Restart explorer.exe Process in Windows 10

 

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You're right *Smile

I still prefer a mouse, so tiles are irrelevant for me. I use the freebie "Classic Shell" to give me a Win 7 interface. So, I don't think your last few paragraphs actually apply to my retro interface. For example, there is no "Open file location" - only the old-fashioned "Properties" tabbed dialog, which is not editable.

I think I'll just leave things the way they are. The manufacturer's name is stuck in my mind now, so I can easily locate the file.

Anyway, thanks for all your help *Smile
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I don't hanker after my old Win7 interface, I've 'embraced the new' since upgrading. But as I understand 'Classic Shell' it has an option to temporarily switch to the standard Start menu.

Think of them as largish icons then, and click on them with the mouse. I have tiles for my most used apps arranged in groups on Start and hardly ever refer to the All Apps list now.

 

I prefer Classic Shell as well. It doesn't matter what you use, Tiles or Classic Shell.
You can right click Any shortcut on your Start Menu and choose Rename, and Name it to whatever you want. This will not change the program name, just the shortcut name of the folder or executable in the Start Menu. If the program updates, it will default back to the original name and it will have to be renamed again.

 

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That worked *Smile

I'm so old and gnarled that I created a Restore Point first, in case I screwed up any registry paths.

So, the modified entry in the list of programs now reads as <programName> with a sub-entry also of <programName>

That should fool the hackers *Smile

If I reread @Bree's post, it's also saying that I can rename the root entry. But I need at least two people both saying the same thing to give me enough courage to leap into the unknown.

Note that no restart or reboot was necessary.

Thanks for all help.
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In standard Windows 10 you can customise the Start Menu All Apps list to your heart's content. The two components of the Start Menu are:

All Users: %programdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Here you can create or rename folders. You cannot create shortcuts here, but you can create them on your desktop then copy them here. You need administrator rights to do so.

Per User: %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
This is your personal Start Menu. Here you can create/rename folders and create shortcuts. You don't need admin rights because you own this folder, it's in your User folder.

Adding a new folder and shortcut takes effect immediately, but renaming a folder needs explorer.exe to be restarted for the name to change in the All Apps list.

More in this tutorial: Add or Remove Items for All Apps in Start menu in Windows 10

 

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That's all useful and valuable information . Thanks.

I have one question.

You repeatedly mention "All Apps", whereas my OP relates to "All Programs".

Are your comments equally applicable to All Programs?

Thanks.
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We're talking about the same thing. Whatever Classic Shell may call it, Microsoft's standard Windows 10 term for the Start menu A-Z list of all programs is 'All apps'.

Open and Use All apps in Start menu in Windows 10