Desktop problem - help!


  1. Posts : 22
    Windows 7 Home Premium OEM
       #1

    Desktop problem - help!


    While I was transferring some photos the other day I had a slight accident whilst operating Windows Explorer.

    When copying the photo files from my camera, I do not use the software that is provided with the camera, (mainly because it is not up to date with Windows 7), so I tend to use Windows Explorer. I open Windows Explorer and I use a reduced sized frame on half of my screen for the camera opened from the bottom bar on my desktop and open another Windows Explorer with another frame, (again with a reduced size on the other side of my screen), for the location on the computer by opening from the Start Menu/All Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer.

    This, of course, allows me to see the source and the destination folders simultaneously. I prefer this method to copying and pasting and opening and closing windows to move the files over, especially when there are quite a few items to copy/move.

    Because I was trying to do this by using the Touch Pad on the laptop instead of plugging my mouse in, I came unstuck. I should have known that my dexterity with the Touch Pad is severely lacking and somehow I have moved the several of the shortcuts in the Accessories Folder to the desktop where they now reside as shortcuts.

    I have included some screen capture images (SCI) of the contents of the folder opened from the desktop plus an image of my desktop with the Accessories folder indicated by an asterix (*). I only hope I have managed to "attach" them successfully!

    It can be seen from the SCI-001 that the folder contains two more folders and 4 shortcuts for:

    a) Command Prompt
    b) Notepad
    c) Run
    d) Windows Explorer

    The folders are entitled:

    1) Ease of Access
    2)System Tools

    Ease of Access folder in turn contains 4 shortcuts entitled:

    a) Ease of Access Centre
    b) Magnifier
    c) Narrator
    d) On-Screen Keyboard

    System Tools folder contains again 4 shortcuts – these are entitled:

    a) Computer
    b) Control Panel
    c) Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)
    d) Private Character Editor

    The thing is when I go into the Start Menu/All Programs and click on Accessories the shortcuts that were there that are now in the desktop Accessories folder are no longer in the Start Menu/Accessories folder where they were before.

    I haven’t found a way as yet of taking screen capture images of the contents of the Start Menu because when you click away from the Start Menu it disappears, thus preventing me placing a box around the area.

    I really would like everything as it was, (i.e. so that these short cuts are and can only be accessed from the Start Menu. Do you know how can I get them back there?

    I hope I have explained the problem clearly enough so you can help me. If you need any more details please contact me via this thread.

    Desktop problem - help!-desktop-001.jpg

    Desktop problem - help!-sci-001.jpg

    Desktop problem - help!-sci-002.jpg

    Desktop problem - help!-sci-003.jpg
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    To clarify, what you're saying is that you accidentally dragged or moved the Accessories folder out of the start menu?

    If that's the case, just click the windows button in the bottom left, right click "All Programs", and hit "Open". From there, go to "Programs" and cut+paste the Accessories folder into the "Programs" Folder.

    Start Menu All Programs - Add or Delete Shortcuts
    Last edited by Brink; 10 Jul 2011 at 12:56. Reason: added link
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 22
    Windows 7 Home Premium OEM
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Fynl said:
    To clarify, what you're saying is that you accidentally dragged or moved the Accessories folder out of the start menu?

    If that's the case, just click the windows button in the bottom left, right click "All Programs", and hit "Open". From there, go to "Programs" and cut+paste the Accessories folder into the "Programs" Folder.

    Start Menu All Programs - Add or Delete Shortcuts
    To clarify, it appears that some of the shortcuts still remain in an "Accessories" folder when viewed from the Start Menu/All Programs.

    As you say I have inadvertently dragged what appears to be part of the "Accessories" folder onto the desk top. The folders and shortcuts that comprise this "part" are as described in my post.

    I have had a quick look at your suggested solution but understandably I am a bit wary. When I go into the Programs folder the other "undragged", (for want of a better terminology), part of the Accessories folder is not there.

    Surely to return the offending shortcuts on my desktop to whence they came, I need to identify the Accessories folder?

    Does this help?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #4

    So if I'm understanding you correctly, some shortcuts wete dragged out but not all of them? In that case, can't you cut and paste the shortcuts back into their folders following the method that I outlined earlier?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 22
    Windows 7 Home Premium OEM
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I would do if I knew how!

    I am what is described as "base level but more than willing to learn!"

    Thing is I don't know how to find the original location of where these short cuts resided when they were only accessible from the Start Menu/All Programs/Accessories.

    I can see where they came from from that menu but don't know how to get to where it is, (but is that what i should be doing anyway?).

    I really am not sure of myself and don't want to mess things up even more!

    Is this, (or was this), Accessories folder just a folder full of shortcuts somewhere, because that is all they are - shortcuts! When you look at the properties of each item in the Accessories folder that is still accessible from the Start Menu, (albeit the items in the folder on the desktop are missing), they are just shortcuts. As indeed are the tools that are in the shifted folder that is on the desktop.

    I know it must sound quite confusing, I am not the worlds best describer I'm afraid!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #6

    Oh, I see! I'm not too good at explaining myself either, but let's see one more try.

    -Open up the Accessories folder on your desktop (now called Folder 1)
    -Open up (in a separate window) the Accessories folder that I mentioned in my first post (Folder 2).
    -Go back to "Folder 1" and select all of the short cuts in it (CTRL+A)
    -Cut the shortcuts (CTRL+X)
    -Now go to Folder 2 and paste all of the shortcuts into it (CTRL+V)

    Is that a better explanation? After you do that they should also appear back in the start menu.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 22
    Windows 7 Home Premium OEM
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks for the help so far!

    Still struggling!

    I can open up the folder that is now sitting on the desktop.

    I cannot open up the Accessories folder that still resides in the Start menu/All Programs because when I click away from it it disappears and I don't know how to hold it there.

    I don't even know if I can drag them back there even if I can fix the Start menu.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 22
    Windows 7 Home Premium OEM
    Thread Starter
       #8

    All is OK!

    I have received an answer from another forum and the solution has worked.

    If any one else has a problem here is the solution in brief:

    Bring your files to the extreme right of your desktop first.

    Then select Notepad first. Hold down the mouse button or else it will unselect that option.

    Then use the keyboard to open Accesories from the Start menu - to do this:

    Hit Windows key on your keyboard and use the arrow keys to open accessories.

    Now remember that you had kept the mouse still clicked. After opening Accessories drag the Notepad to the accessories list. That will attach Notepad to Accessories.

    Do this for the all the others.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:02.
Find Us