Windows 10: Win 10: not all programs are alphabetically listed

My Windows 10 START button shows an alphabetical listing of programs on my PC, but some are missing - how come? Is there a way for Win 10 to display ALL of my executable files (including any that I've downloaded and installed) ?

For example, my vlc.exe program (from VIDEOLAN) is not under the "V" listing as I'd expected.

:)

 

Where are my programs listed in win 10

Open Settings App (Gear Icon on your Start Menu), then System - Apps and Features

 

Where are my programs listed in win 10

Hello to all,

I bought a new PC and can't find where my Programs are listed that are installed on my pc. I sure can use your help, thanks.

USMALE

 

Mine have newly installed progs (must call them "apps" nowadays!) at the top, then "most used"... for goodness sake just list in alphabetical order, then we know where we are - or where they are *Wink

Microsoft are garbling things and hiding things and generally taking us backwards, grrrr.

I expect someone knows how to sort out the programs list, tho - I'm thinking of installing Start10 (or there's a similar one that's free), but not until I get this darn laptop completely set up for my needs.

 

It should be, unless you accidentally unticked 'Start Menu shortcut' in VLC's Setup. It should have created the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\VideoLAN containing the shortcuts, which in turn should have added them to Start, both under 'V' and (if you have it enabled) 'Recently added'. You can run the Setup again to modify the install if that's the case.







Did you run VLC Setup from an administrator account? You need admin rights to write to C:\ProgramDataMicrosoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

 

clemenzina; "Mine have newly installed progs (must call them "apps" nowadays!) at the top, then "most used"... for goodness sake just list in alphabetical order, then we know where we are - or where they are"

You can customize/simplify the look by hitting Action Center/Personalization/Start (see attached screen). Mine is set as simple as possible with desktop vs Start Menu

 

Thank you very much, MrGeek. And I couldn't detect even a twinge of exasperation :-*

 

Bree,
To save resources, I don't automatically want to start all my programs/apps (like VLC) with each bootup since I don't always use them for my PC sessions. Are you saying that any program/app appearing in the alphabetic listing must be part of my startup profile?
Dan

 

Mr. Geek:
I want all my programs/apps to appear within the alphabetic listing. I didn't see an option within "CHOOSE WHICH PROGRAMS APPEAR ON START". How can that be done?
Thanks,
Dan

 

"I want all my programs/apps to appear within the alphabetic listing. I didn't see an option within "CHOOSE WHICH PROGRAMS APPEAR ON START". How can that be done?"

Navigate to this Hidden folder (enable Hidden items in View tab of explorer ribbon) - C;\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Here, you will see all the programs in your Win10 Start Menu list, incl some hidden ones, except the Store univ apps which have to be controlled from the Start Menu itself. If you want to add a program or exe, go to the main program folder, say VLC, r-click the exe and copy, paste in Start Menu\Programs folder, Done ! You can also organize by making folders and using drag and drop too. Good Luck

PS; some add'l tips. You can organize the Start Menu better, if say, you have a folder, say Adobe Pro, that has 6 items, only one of which you use. Drag that exe to the Programs in the address bar and you can delete the folder with the items you never use. Also, to navigate the Start Menu faster, did you know you can click on any letter and an alphabet pad will open where you can click any letter and fast track to it. Say you want VLC, you can click 'B' and then 'V' in the pad instead of scrolling all the way to the bottom of your list.

 

navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs you will find a set of regular shortcuts (or Right click on an App in the alphabetised list, Select More then Open File Location -

Create shortcuts to any missing programs (Right Click & Drag the .EXE file to this folder, release and choose create shortcut here or right click and select create shortcut).

Whilst in this folder you can edit the shortcuts to open in a specific way or change icons etc just like a shortcut on the desktop

The above location will apply to all users - there is also a set of locations that apply to just the logged in user, (C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs) but I find adding them here is best (unless you wish to Hide programs from other users , Children etc ), You may find that the default list does store a lot of the windows maintenance programs here - I just Move them to the main list

Edit duplicate of @mrgeek but does give other options

 

No, I'm not. What I am saying is that ticking the 'Start Menu shortcut' in VLC's Setup is what adds VLC to the list of installed apps on the Start menu. If you don't tick it you won't see VLC in the list of All Apps. It does NOT make VLC run at startup. In fact, there isn't an option in VLC's setup that can do that.

 

Nigel,
Thanks! Your suggestion worked just fine.
I only wish Windows 10 had an option to put all of my 'exe' files in the alphabetic listing instead of me having to create shortcuts and move them all individually. I wonder why some are already there and some not?
Anyhow, thanks again for taking the time to your share your thoughts.
Dan

 

Bree,
Thanks for the clarification but I'm certain with other software I've installed there wasn't an installation option (like you show with VLC) and yet the shortcut somehow magically found its way to the alphabetical listing.
Dan

 

Yes, you're right. Many installs don't give you a choice, they just create their Start menu shortcuts regardless of your wishes. VLC is in the minority by giving you the option NOT to add it to the Start menu (though why you'd want to do that is beyond me).