blocking programs from start menu's most frequntly used list

I'm trying to block certain programs from showing up in the recently used portion of the start menu, mainly the ones which have have shortcuts on my desktop since that's my preferred method for launching those programs.

I've tried the methods listed here: Forum FAQ:Why some application cannot be pinned in the Taskbar

Code:

1. Add the NoStartPage entry to the application's registration as shown here: 
 
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
     Applications
          Example.exe
               NoStartPage 
 
The data associated with the NoStartPage entry is ignored. Only the  presence of the entry is required. Therefore, the ideal type for  NoStartPage is REG_NONE .
 
Note: Any use of an explicit AppUserModelID overrides  the NoStartPage entry. If an explicit AppUserModelID is applied to a  shortcut, process, or window, it becomes pinnable and eligible for the Start menu MFU list.
  
 2. Set the System.AppUserModel.PreventPinning property on windows and shortcuts. This property must be set on a window before the PKEY_AppUserModel_ID property. 
  
 3. Add an explicit AppUserModelID as a value under the following registry subkey as shown here: 
 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
     Software
          Microsoft
               Windows
                    CurrentVersion
                         Explorer
                              FileAssociation
                                   NoStartPageAppUserModelIDs
                                        AppUserModelID1
                                        AppUserModelID2
                                        AppUserModelID3
 
Each  entry is a REG_NULL value with the name of the AppUserModelID. Any  AppUserModelID found in this list is not pinnable and not eligible for  inclusion in the Start menu MFU list.

Also went to the following registry keys:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FileAssociation
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileAssociation
• Added their executables to the value data under the AddRemoveApps string
• Included their shortcut names in the value data under the AddRemoveNames string

Restarted my computer after trying each of the above methods, but the apps were never blocked from reappearing in the MFU programs list of the start menu.

I know that Win7 automagically excludes taskbar and startmenu pinned items from the MFU list, and I believe it also does so for programs in taskbar toolbars (don't know first hand because i don't use toolbars).

Is it possible to get the desktop icons to be excluded also?
Has anyone else tried the above methods on 64bit-Win7 and gotten them to work?

Have you tried right clicking on an empty part of the start menu, then click properties and customize?.

I'm familiar with that dialogue; what in that menu do you see that would block specific apps or desktop shortcuts from the start menu's recently run list?