Windows 10: [Win10] Searching from start menu does not find any programs in the Programs folder from...

Hi,I've recently re-installed windows 10, and for example if I click on the Start menu, and type Excel, it does not find Excel even though it's pinned to the start menu. None of the programs show up.I've checked inexing Options, and noticed that for the Windows drive, there are some exceptions under "Exclud" by default:- ProgramData, AppData, AppData yes, it's twice, and Windows.Is this something I should expect from a fresh Windows install?

:)

 

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?

 

Windows Search Not Opening Removed Start Menu Programs

Hi all, I have removed all unnecessary apps, etc from the Start Menu list - however there are Folders, for example, "Ease of Access" --- where once removed from the Start Menu folder list %appdata/programdata% --- the applications within the folder no longer work when calling on them in the Windows Search. They appear in the search results, but upon clicking them - nothing opens.

Example: Delete 'Ease of Access' from Start Menu Programs Folders %appdata/programdata% --- Click Windows Button, type in 'Narrator' (program within the 'Ease of Access' folder) and try to click it, doesn't open. Happens with all the programs within the Folders.

As soon as I put the Folders back in the Start Menu Programs Folders %appdata/programdata% - the search entries all function as usual.

I've tried rebuilding the search, adding the entire C drive to search index, nothing seems to be working.

Basically I'm looking to remove the 'Ease of Access' 'Windows Accessories' 'PowerShell' etc folders from the Start Menu list, but still be able to call the applications within them up thru the Windows Search and click to open.

Anyone have a fix?

 

Windows Search Not Opening Removed Start Menu Programs

Hi, yes, appreciate the reply - that is the gist of what I am trying to accomplish - remove start menu entries, but retain application functionality in pulling the program up via Search.
I am using C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

I did remove the folders of shortcuts from the Start Menu folder -- and place them in an 'Apps' folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Apps, which I indexed manually in the Search functionality, and it still didn't work. (Also tried indexing the entire C drive)

For example, if I remove the 'Power Shell' folder, and then search to use and pull up the Power Shell program, it appears in search results, but the application doesn't open. It even behaves this way if the 'Power Shell' folder remains in the Start Menu folder - isn't deleted - but just 'hidden'.

Have you tried this with success?

I am decluttering the Start Menu list, but would still like to pull up and use applications within the search that were removed from the Start Menu list via these folders. The rest of the Start Menu apps/programs in the list were uninstalled - the folders (Power Shell, Ease of Access, etc) Windows created seems to have a link thats broken when the shortcuts are moved?

Thank you