


We'll name our link "About Windows" in the Start menu. In this example, we'll add a link to the "winver" utility which displays the "About Windows" version prompt. You might also want to add new shortcuts to the menu. Use File Explorer to copy, paste and delete shortcuts and folders as you see fit. You could try moving desktop apps out of individual folders, or creating your own custom folders to collect different kinds of app. With the Start Menu storage system exposed, you should now be able to tidy up your apps list.
#MANAGE APPS WINDOWS 10 SOFTWARE#
Generally, software installed for every user of your PC will add its shortcuts to "%programdata%," whereas programs installed for your profile only will be in "%appdata%." Every shortcut and folder you add to the "%programdata%" location will show in the Start menu for all user accounts on your PC. A quick way to get to where a shortcut is located is to right-click it in the Start menu and choose "More > Open file location." When you're looking for a particular shortcut or folder, remember it might be in either of the two directories. When you reopen the Start menu, you'll find it's disappeared. If you want to delete an unwanted shortcut or folder, just select it and hit delete. You should see immediately how the structure of your Start menu is replicated within the two "Programs" folders. Copy and paste the directory into the box and press "OK." Alternatively, you can copy and paste the directory paths into the address bar in File Explorer.Īs we noted above, these paths really are just regular folders. The easiest way to open either of these locations is by using the Run prompt (press Win+R to open it quickly). The two directories are as follows: %programdata%/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs %appdata%/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs These locations are nothing more than regular directories, the contents of which are automatically displayed in the Start menu. Under the hood, Windows relies on the same Start menu shortcut storage system as all older releases.Īpp list entries are located in one of two folders on your PC. You can manually move, create and delete Start menu shortcuts to restore some order to your PC. Over time, you might find it harder to locate an app, and you'll also see unwanted shortcuts showing up in Windows Search. Desktop apps in particular have a tendency to create a new folder for themselves and include a plethora of uninstallation, settings and website links. Apps are able to add whichever shortcuts they like to the menu, and there's little consistency between programs. Windows also includes a few folders, such as "Windows Accessories," to group together less frequently-used utilities.Īs you add more apps to your PC, your apps list can quickly start to lose its structure. Most apps, particularly UWP ones from the Store, are displayed at the root of the menu.
#MANAGE APPS WINDOWS 10 WINDOWS 10#
On a fresh Windows 10 install, the Start menu's apps list is fairly tidy. Unfortunately, it still tends to attract inordinate amounts of bloat as you use your PC. Disregarding a hiatus with Windows 8, it's been a staple of the Windows desktop for generations with proven credentials as an efficient app launcher. The Start Menu: in all probability it's where you start, every time you turn on your PC.
