It's now located under C:\Users\your name\Start Menu

But Windows gives you an access denied message when trying to click on it.

I've solved this problem by downloading an alternate open source Windows Explorer Replacement called Surf.

It's not your typical Windows Explorer replacement, but allows you to get into areas that Microsoft prevents. I've added folder and Start menu items using this program as well and modified the Send To folder also.

It can be downloaded here:
SurF - Free, Open Source File Manager for Windows 7, Vista and XP

Thanks for the info, reghakr. I'm having fun testing this beta version, but I hate to think of the complications that will arise if we decide to roll out this OS where I work.

I now realize that the Start Menu folder is a "protected operating system file" and must be unhidden in Folder Options in the Control Panel. This is silly to me. Why would the Start Menu be considered a protected operating system file? And no admin access? What a joke!

Don't know, but it was the same way in Vista.

Actually, I now realize that in order to access the Start Menu folder for all users, you must navigate to C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu -- Here you can decide what shows up in the Start Menu, and access is not denied.

If this is not visible, select Show hidden files and folders in Folder Options.

Yes it does, but it doesn't include the 'Pin to Start Menu' items or the shortcuts above 'All Programs'.

I would like to be able to add folders in the section above 'All Programs' to reduce the extent of what I've entered but also to group like applications together so as make it more manageable, i.e. a folder for Graphics, DVD Burning, Mapping etc.

Thinking about it - what I'm looking for can't be here as this location would list what is common to all users - there must be something located under Users.

Hi im not sure if this is the right place to post...
But my start meny just poff in allprograms.. so i wonder how i can get it back...
its look like this and im from Sweden..im using windows 7 64 bit 7100

Originally Posted by reghakr

It's now located under C:\Users\your name\Start Menu

But Windows gives you an access denied message when trying to click on it.

I've solved this problem by downloading an alternate open source Windows Explorer Replacement called Surf.

It's not your typical Windows Explorer replacement, but allows you to get into areas that Microsoft prevents. I've added folder and Start menu items using this program as well and modified the Send To folder also.

It can be downloaded here:
SurF - Free, Open Source File Manager for Windows 7, Vista and XP

Just FYI, you should know that all of those access denied messages are Microsoft's way of telling you that you're doing it wrong. Despite that, you can still open C:\Users\USER\Start Menu\Programs without a message, because it only limits opening the folder, not opening subfolders. It's denied because it's a fake folder, and they want you to use the real one, which is: C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\St art Menu\Programs

Does SurF modify the permissions of the folder, or just run as LocalSystem? Either way sounds fairly wrong to recommend to average users.

Surf dont change permissions. Really, if you for example clic on Documents and Settings -> all users -> start menu, then Surf opens Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu as can be seen in the tree that Surf shows.