Hi, I am using WinXp Home and the XP Start up. My problem is that the "all
programs" has so many programs in it that I am running off the screen.
Please tell me how I can pick and choose what shows up in this list.
TIA for any suggestions.
The start menu is drawn from two sources:
1) Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu : Items in this folder and
its subfolders appear in the menus of all users that log on to this
computer.
2) Documents and Settings\<your account>\Start Menu : These items appear in
your account's start menu only.
Keep these differences in mind as you are moving things around in the start
menu folders.
To tidy up the start menu: you can rename menu items to shorter names. Each
column of the flyout menus will be as wide as the longest name. Shorten the
names and you can fit more columns across the screen. Example: Shorten
"Micorosoft Office XP Applications" to "MS Office" or "Office Apps."
The items in these folders are just shortcuts to the original programs. You
can regroup them by creating folders for like programs. Example, create
folders for Online Apps, Graphics, Players, etc.
The start menu will allow you to drag and drop existing items. For massive
reorganizing, it may be easier to view the Start Menu folders with Windows
Explorer and to do all of your moving there. You can right click the Start
button and select Explore to get to your start menu folders quickly. Right
click and select Explore All Users to get to the other set.
You can check on your progress by periodically clicking on the Start> All
Programs. The changes you make in Explorer will be reflected in the "new"
start menu you are creating.
Suggest that you hang onto these folders: Programs, Startup and
Accessories. Many programs rely on those three folders being in their
expected places.
