Start menu / Programs

[redstart]

Not sure if this is specific to the e750 or not, but when I pull down the Start menu and select Programs, I don't see icons for several programs that I've installed. I have to go to Home / Programs instead to launch them, or add them individually to the Start menu.

The Programs screen has no facility for adding icons.

redstart

[Gerard]

Using the Settings > Menus applet to control shortcuts in the Start Menu is a roundabout way of doing things. This method is a 'remote control', which hides the true contents of that location. If instead you realise that these are actual files, not just listings, then it becomes easy to manipulate them directly.
Using File Explorer (or whatever third-party version you prefer) navigate to \Windows\Start Menu and its sub-folders. Once there, cut and paste and copy as you like. If you wish to add any shortcut to any program not there, or to any other kind of file, just go to the file, tap&hold, copy, then go back to the Start Menu folders somewhere you prefer and tap&hold/paste shortcut.
I just tried to modify one shortcut using the Menus applet, and then further modify its display directly in the file system. It seems that the Menus checkboxes, when unchecked, do a marvelous job of hiding shortcuts from any file explorer. I have no idea how this is done, nor why, but I can see how very frustrating it might be to undo. In my case, a recently added shortcut could not be re-added, as I got a maximum number exceeded error. I had to first uncheck another, then using a file explorer cut and paste the offending shortcut somewhere else, then go back and re-check the one I'd temporarily made invisible. Overcoming this applet completely would seem a bit of a nightmare. I am happy that I never use it. Good luck in getting rid of it yourself, however you manage this. Seems yet another Microsoft 'we know what's good for you - it doesn't have to make sense' sort of thing.

[redstart]

Thanks, Gerard, but the problem lies not in the Start menu, which I seem to manipulate OK. It's the Programs page without any editing controls that I can't seem to crack.

redstart

[Gerard]

gack. I think I am going to choke on my own tongue. The Programs screen is just a subfolder of the \Windows\Start Menu folder!!! Navigate to this in any file explorer, make new sub-sub-folders until you turn blue, and move stuff around as you like! It's easy, basic stuff! Sorry for venting, but really, this is not that hard.

[redstart]

Gerard --

Ok, I'll give it a whirl. Again, many thanks.

redstart