Windows 10: Unable to add to All apps list in Start Menu

I can place a new folder or custom shortcut in the correct start menu location (current user or all users) but it will not appear in the All apps list. If I go to the folder or shortcut and right-click Pin to Start it will appear as a tile in the start menu, but still will not show up in the All apps list. I think this behavior started with Version 1511 since it was working for me in the previous version.

:)

 

Can't add shortcuts to all apps in start menu

Hi there,

I'm having some difficulties trying to add shortcuts onto my all apps drawer and all help will be greatly appreciated!

When I add a shortcut into C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs, the short cut appears as a pinned tile on the start menu and not as a shortcut in the all apps drawer. How could I rectify this?

Cheers!

 

Can't add shortcuts to all apps in start menu

Hello,

I understand your concern. please follow the below simple steps, and check.

Refer to the suggestion provided by Shawn 'cmdr' Keene [MVP] replied on August 5, 2015 from the below link
How to ADD a shortcut to "All Apps" menus in Start Menu W10

How to ADD a shortcut to "All Apps" menus in Start Menu W10

Do let us know the update of the issue.

Thank you.

 

Hi, a quick test seems to show the same. The representation of traditional start menu items and structures in Win 10's start menu is (in my experience) garbage. And not just since the November upgrade. Sorry to have to say that, but it flattens all the subfolders inherited from a 'normal' menu used in Win 7 and 8, loses the sub-folders, including those created by each program's installation, leading to things like

Help
Help
Help
...

where each 'Help' is from a different program.

If you want a meaningful start menu without these quirks and oddities, try e.g. Classic Shell.

 

You can create folders in:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

or:

C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

but they have to have shortcuts in them, otherwise they won't show in the All apps menu.

 

Sorry this did not work. This is a shortcut to a stand alone executable file, a program that is not installed in Windows. When I put the shortcut directly into either of the 2 folders you mentioned, or when I put the shortcut inside a new folder into either of the 2 folders you mentioned, I cannot get anything to show in the All apps list, only a tile on the right side of the Start Menu. My guess is this is a registry issue, but I do not know where or what to change.

 

Ok, there is a way for your portable program, if you really really want to do this using the Win 10 start menu. You probably won't believe it, but here it is (I've just done it to be sure).

1. Zip up your portable .exe
2. Get a copy of Nirsoft's zipinstall
3. Run zipinstall and 'install' the zip file you have created.
4. Create a shortcut to the exe in its installed location in these locations.
(I guess it would work with 1 but having put one in each and then deleted both, the shortcut still shows in the start menu- I'd guess until it's refreshed - maybe logon? Hmm..)

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

or:

C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Really I cannot recommend doing this, but at least it is somehow consistent with the program having to be installed.
It might also be worth trying what you did before, but log off, on and check the start menu again.

Personally, I avoid the Win 10 start menu altogether.

 

Thanks, that worked!

 

Congratulations! *Smile

Zipinstall is actually rather useful for odd freeware that comes in zips only, no installer.

 

Strange..., works for me! *Confused
(I created the folder and the shortcuts and put em in there!)

 

It works for me also but if you nest folders within Start Menu\Programs then it doesn't...

These work:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Speccy64.lnk
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Portable programs\Speccy64.lnk

but this doesn't...

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Portable programs\Piriform\Speccy64.lnk

 

K, create shortcuts to the actual folders then.

 

Can't believe this is the only workaround that actually works. Thank you so much.

Needed to add shortcuts to my portables asap in the All apps list and it did work! Otherwise, trying anything else just pinned the damn shortcut as a tile in the right area.*Mad

First time W10 user and just for this, I started to hate it. Buggy start menu on Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB.

 

It isn't a bug it is how it works.

If you have a problem with your companies start menu policy, best you talk to them.

There is no such thing as LTSB 2016. If you install software you don't have a license for it is your problem.