shortcut to "program file"

  • Thread starter Thread starter MR
  • Start date Start date
M

MR

Hi, Is there anyways to place a shortcut to Program files (C:\Program
files), in the part where one clicks on the start button (bottom left
corner) > then where that rectangular blue box opens up? I want to know if
the short cut can be placed there.
I seem to access (C:\Program files) frequently. I know that I can easily
access many programs by clicking the start button>all programs. But, not all
programs are listed there. or are they?
 
MR said:
Hi, Is there anyways to place a shortcut to Program files (C:\Program
files), in the part where one clicks on the start button (bottom left
corner) > then where that rectangular blue box opens up? I want to know if
the short cut can be placed there.
I seem to access (C:\Program files) frequently. I know that I can easily
access many programs by clicking the start button>all programs. But, not all
programs are listed there. or are they?
Click to expand...

All programs that are properly installed should list themselves on the
Start Menu. Doing so is part of the registry entries created by the
install process.

The only exceptions would be old DOS applications which would have to
be added manually. However these also would not install themselves
into the Program Files folder unless you specifically put them there.

Also some programs do have options in their install process which
would allow you to choose not to have that program listed on the Start
Menu.

Other than the above any installed program which is not listed on the
Start Menu either is not properly installed or is another instance of
shoddy programming.

Hope this explains the situation.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm
 
Hi Ron, Gee, I wasnt clear of my question I dont think. Here is what I was
asking more in detail. Is it possible to place a LINK in the rectangular
blueish box that one sees when one clicks on the gree start button. If I
look to see what I have there now, (on the right hand)I have: My documents,
My music, my computor; then under a line, i have control panel, run etc. On
the left side, I have perhaps programs that I have used recently (yahoo,
notepad, etc)-THAT area (right side) is where I would like to have the link
to C:\Program files. The option to place a link is not listed in the adv.
tab in the customize start menu box in its properties. So, I guess shortcut
was the wrong choice of words.
Perhaps what I am asking for is not possible. please let me know if not.

Thanks so very much for your help-! ! ! !
 
MR said:
Hi Ron, Gee, I wasnt clear of my question I dont think. Here is what I was
asking more in detail. Is it possible to place a LINK in the rectangular
blueish box that one sees when one clicks on the gree start button. If I
look to see what I have there now, (on the right hand)I have: My documents,
My music, my computor; then under a line, i have control panel, run etc. On
the left side, I have perhaps programs that I have used recently (yahoo,
notepad, etc)-THAT area (right side) is where I would like to have the link
to C:\Program files. The option to place a link is not listed in the adv.
tab in the customize start menu box in its properties. So, I guess shortcut
was the wrong choice of words.
Perhaps what I am asking for is not possible. please let me know if not.

Thanks so very much for your help-! ! ! !
Click to expand...
I think Ron's point was you shouldn't need this shortcut since everything
in the Program Files folder should be on the start menu and the link is
simply redundant. But, if you want one just right click on the desktop
select New>Shortcut put "c:\Program Files" with the quotes as the target
then cut a paste this shortcut in your Start Menu\Programs folder for the
appropriate user profile.

gls858
 
MR said:
Hi, Is there anyways to place a shortcut to Program files
(C:\Program files), in the part where one clicks on the
start button (bottom left corner) > then where that
rectangular blue box opens up? I want to know if the short
cut can be placed there. I seem to access (C:\Program files)
frequently. I know that
I can easily access many programs by clicking the start
button>all programs. But, not all programs are listed there.
or are they?
Click to expand...

You might want to try the following:
Right click an open area of your Desktop and select New ->
Shortcut.
In the New Shortcut Wizard, browse to C:\Program Files.
Click on the C:\Program Files folder.
Hit the OK button and click on Next.
Your new shortcut should be named Program Files.
Hit the Finish button.
Now, click on this shortcut to your Program Files and drag it
to the Start button.
Next, release the mouse button to drop the shortcut on your
Start menu.
Hit Start.
You should see a shortcut to the Program Files folder in the
left hand column.
Note: You can delete the shortcut you created on the Desktop.

Nepatsfan
 
Yes, that is possible and can be done in a few seconds.
Just create a new shortcut on the Desktop, pointing to C:\Program
files then drag it to the Quick Launch Bar.

....Alan
 
MR said:
Hi, Is there anyways to place a shortcut to Program files
(C:\Program files), in the part where one clicks on the
start button (bottom left corner) > then where that
rectangular blue box opens up? I want to know if the short
cut can be placed there. I seem to access (C:\Program files)
frequently. I know that
I can easily access many programs by clicking the start
button>all programs. But, not all programs are listed there.
or are they?
Click to expand...

Disregard my earlier response. I misunderstood what you were
trying to accomplish. The advice I gave was wrong. Sorry for
the confusion.

Instead of trying to place it on the Start Menu, why not place
a shortcut to the Program Files folder in the Quick Launch
toolbar?

Nepatsfan
 
THanks Nepatsfan & ALan. I created a shortcut on the desktop and dragged it
to the quick launch green start button. and it is there on the left hand
side, which is fine. Now, I can access it from there with less hastle. More
good advise from you guys. Gee, you did it again!!! thanks
 
MR said:
Hi, Is there anyways to place a shortcut to Program files (C:\Program
files), in the part where one clicks on the start button (bottom left
corner) > then where that rectangular blue box opens up? I want to know if
the short cut can be placed there.
I seem to access (C:\Program files) frequently. I know that I can easily
access many programs by clicking the start button>all programs. But, not all
programs are listed there. or are they?
Click to expand...

If you want quick access to the shortcut, create shortcut on desktop.
Make sure drag and drop is enabled for your start menu.
Drag the shortcut to start (start menu should open) and then drag the
shortcut to the list of items just below your account name. That's the only
place shy of going into "All Programs" that you can drop the shortcut
successfully.
Other options include dropping the shortcut into the quick launch bar or
"All Programs" area.
Directories to quick launch and Programs if you can't drag and drop are:
C:\Documents and Settings\%User Name%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Quick Launch\
C:\Documents and Settings\%User Name%\Start Menu\Programs\...
NOTE: Substtute your account name for %User Name%

As for the second part of your question, there should be no real reason to
do this (exception could be to watch if any spyware or otherwise unwanted
malware tries to install itself into the "program files" directory). All
correctly installed programs should already be in your start menu. If not,
you should create a link to them and place those into your start menu.
Running a program from a shortcut rather than just clicking on the executable
provides the program with usefull data, such as start directory,
compatibility modes, and any command line switches you might want.
 
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