Windows 10: way to modify the Start Menu programs?

in Win7 & Win 8.1.1 (with Start8) I can do Start|All Programs|right-click and select "open all users." Then i can create groups of apps. I like to create UTILS groups that has lots of things, some i rarely use & might not recall the name of, a MULTIMEDIA that has a few apps (but leaves out a bunch I don't use), etc. So I get just what I want, not what MS wants me to have.

It doesn't appear Win10 has this crucial (to me) bit of functionality. I wouldn't be using Win 8.1.1 if it weren't for Start8, because I don't like the all apps (or searching for apps whose names I might not know offhand).

Am I just missing it?

:)

 

How to completely modify the start menu

Hi Kyle,

You might be needing modifications in the registry to completely remove applications from the quick access menu. In this case,
it is more appropriate to be asked in IT Pro TechNet Forums where
you can get the best answer and the most qualified pool of respondents, and other partners who can respond to your query appropriately. They can either share their knowledge or learn from your interaction with us.

Should you have any other concerns, don’t hesitate to let us know.

 

How to completely modify the start menu

Hello all,

Firstly, I have found the two locations for start menu items;

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

USER_ACCOUNT: %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

For the purposes of management I want to reduce the number of items in my start menu to a much smaller number, but there are still a number of items I don't know how to complete;

- How to remove applications from the start menu which I habitually use keyboard to utilize;

Calculator <Win> + <R> : calc

Notepad <Win> + <R> : notepad

~ I don't WANT the calculator in my start menu, because I absolutely 100% know that it is available, and don't need a gui to use it.

- How to straight out remove items from the PC which I don't plan on using;

Camera for instance has no place on my office PCs, nor do I want to facilitate taking pictures in my office to post online.

~This is actually a security vulnerability.

Cortana

~I do not need an icon for this, I can just start typing in the start menu... why is this even here? --don't answer that, I don't need to know.

Feedback hub

~My workers don't need to provide feedback to Microsoft, that is my responsibility as their administrator, as is 'Get Help.'

Maps has no reason to be on my company PCs

Messaging has no reason to be on my company PCs

Microsoft Store has no reason to be on my company PCs

Mixed Reality Viewer has no reason to be on my company PCs

Movies and TV has no reason to be on my company PCs

etc.

In any case I am looking for a way to remove unnecessary applications from a quick access menu.

 

You can install Start8 onto Win10 and it works fine, from what others have posted in other threads.

Jeff

 

yeah, that's disappointing that I would still need a third-party app to make it work the way I want it to. It's like Sinofsky is still in charge.

 

It's a clunky solution but hey.. at least it still works.
Be thankful for small things.

Jeff *Smile

 

Well start8 did a bit more to make 8-8.1 more useable/ bearable
Start8 on Windows Tech Preview

 

I do like the right tick on the Windows 10 Start Flag.
It brings up a lot of things I use to keep on the desktop.

 

Greeting from the holly Jerusalem
The windows 10 start is nice and combining both windows 7 and 8.1.1

 

No, it's not there... however, it's relatively easy to add the folders you want. If you absolutely have to do it through the menu itself, then there's this workaround.

1. Open Start Menu
2. Navigate to an existing Subfolder, such as Accessories
3. Right Click on icon for a non-Metro application like Calculator
4. Choose Open File Location

This brings you directly into the All Programs Start Menu folder, and you can navigate here and add whatever folders you want.

You can do the same with System Tools and choose Command Prompt and right click and open file location to get your personal user start menu folder subfolders..

You'll end up in those subfolders, but at least you don't have to go looking for them.

 

I run the "Classic Start Menu", that way I can find everything!

 

thanks, Mystere, that works!

a bit kludgey, since it required two reboots to show both folders properly -- first didn't show at all until a reboot, second one showed as named 'unknown' until a second reboot, but at least it's a workaround. I hope MS will restore this easy functionality before they release Windows 10. I'd hate to end up sticking with a 3rd-party Start Menu for the second straight OS. I think Windows 8.x has a lot of good in it (faster boots, better security, etc.), but only after adding a Start Menu, disabling the Charms, & essentially doing away with all Metro stuff.

 

You probably don't have to reboot. You can use the old "Explorer Reload Trick".

Make sure you start a command prompt first.

Then, hold down Ctrl-Shift and right click on All Programs in the start menu, you get a new option "Exit Explorer" This shuts down your shell. Then, in your Command Prompt type "Explorer" and it will start up again.

If you don't open the command prompt, you won't have a way to open a new explorer. You can try using Task Manager if you can get to it.. but if you're using remote desktop or an enhanced Hyper-V session, that can be tricky.

 

The easiest possible way: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html.

 

I'm still using Classic Shell, as I don't even wanna see any metro nonsense whatsoever while I'm on the computer. That is my bottom line. By including it in the start menu I walk away with the sense that ms is trying to slip it in thru the back door, trying some sleight of hand.

But, we won't be fooled again....*Dinesh (no no)....