most of my start menu program folders are empty

Advanced System Care has messed up more computers than McAfee.
I would remove it completely.
Then I would do this tutorial by Brink.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

It might not fix it but we do have members that can read and understand the logs produced.

I highly recommend staying away from and products by IObit.

The big problem is once removing A.S.C. is fixing the mess it left. No one know what the program has moved, changed, added or deleted. It can leave nothing but a bag of worms that requires a clean install to fix.

Wish you well.

To make sure we are on the same page.

Your programs work they just don't show up when you go to
Start
All programs

or they show up but will not open when you tick on them.

Do you have any 3rd party programs to customize your desktop or the such?

If none of this make sense please post pictures which should help.

This tutorial by Brink will show you the best way to post them.

Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

I see we three posted at the same time.

**Can you access those programs using other methods?

Here is another Tutorial by Brink that just might help.

Start Menu All Programs in Windows 7 - Restore Default Shortcuts

All of my programs work (as I said in my original post, I have placed icons for the most commonly used progams on the desktop). But the folders for the majority of progams listed on the start menu are empty, and I was hoping to be able to restore the shortcuts. I'm not referring to default programs here, but programs that I have installed over the years.

This is exactly the same problem that Vladimir8185 had a couple of years ago (Most start menu program folders say (empty)), but he didn't say whether he ever solved it.

I have no 3rd party programs customising my desktop etc.

Florio

Some time we don't quite understand what some one post. That is why we ask questions.
I read your first post several times and I don't see a mention that all programs work. I personally don't need reminded to read the first post.

Now if you would like to; try removing your old icons off of the Start that don't work and drag and drop icons off of the desktop to the Start that do work.

No more suggestions.

Have a nice day.

No idea how you got blanks off Start button, but fine, to REALLY get to the level to add back things, it's under C:\Users\YOURLOGINNAMEHERE\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu [via explorer or other file manager, mine is Total Commander]

Replace Roaming with Local also to get even more icons, now a lot of this is probably hidden, both of those spots are combined to form the Start Menu entries, ground zero, enjoy.

Manipulate it until satisfied.