If you have installed hundreds of programs on your Windows 7 PC, as you know, all these programs appear in the Start menu. Because of hundreds of entries, the Start menu might look cluttered. Organizing the programs in the Start menu can make it little better.
Earlier this week, we blogged about a tool named Start Menu Organizer to keep your Windows 7 Start menu organized with a few clicks. But if you don’t like to use a third-party tool to organize your Start menu, you can manually organize it as well.
All start menu program shortcuts are stored in a folder named Start Menu in your OS drive. One can add, move or remove these shortcuts by navigating to Start menu’s sub folders.
Manually organize Start menu programs in Windows 7
1. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu.
2. Double-click on Start Menu folder to see other subfolders such as Accessories, Administrator rights, and Maintenance. Programs that you can see under All programs in Start menu are stored in Start Menu folder. You can add, rename, or delete a program from this folder. Accessories and Administrator categories’ folders can also be found here.
So with this trick, you need not to use any third-party utilities like Start Menu Organizer to keep your Windows 7 Start menu tidy and organized.
Therese says
If you can’t find a system folder, then you need to “show hidden folders” on folder properties. It’s OK for temporary use, but I find it annoying to see “desktop.ini” and other such files on a regular basis, so after I finish whatever I’m doing, I go back and hide the hidden folders again.
Kate says
There is no Program Data folder as far I can tell on my computer. I tried typing Program, Program Data, Start Menu, in the search box — no results. I manually searched for the Windows folder and found it,but no start menu folder. I’m running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit version with Service Pack 1.
Saeed Kheiree says
In step 2 you must after see C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu path click on Programs folder. you write in paper that must click on Start Menu folder for see sunfolders such as accessories.
thank you for good tip my friend
Rahul Sahu says
Thanks.
I was not knowing the path directory.
It is:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
It worked.
Thanks for sharing.
Claudia says
A nice way to organize everything without any other program, thanks.
Chris says
Thank you, it worked perfectly!
Note: When it asks for administrator permission, just click continue and it will move the file/folder where you want.
I set up new folders and moved stuff around with no problem.
I knew there had to be any easy way, but I jumped right into Windows 7 (love it!), and I’m still feeling my way around.
Cadmus says
Does not work.
The folder is “Access Denied” Even to Admin.