How can i place folders on top of the lists in all start menu areas

have been trying to place the folders first and the application shortcuts on the end of the lists of start menu manually, but when i reboot, the order is bing reversed again. Its more than a year now that i am using 7 and i still haven't been able to get used to that order and i just want to be able to set the order like i could in XP, for some reason this order annoys, and i know other people feel the same. Is that somehow possible ? Do i need maybe to save the Theme everytime i make such changes ?

Have you tried Start Menu Properties - Start Menu tab - Customize - Uncheck "Sort All Programs menu by name"?

I've looked and looked and looked and have not found a solution to getting manual sort order of "All Programs" to persist after a reboot. Upon each reboot, the programs are alphabetized again. Actually what I'm trying to do specifically is alphabetize the programs irregardless of whether it is a shortcut/file or folder as opposed to two separate alphabetized lists. Is there really no way to do this? Right now the only workaround I can think of is to put each shortcut/file into a folder or download some kind of software to fix this such as Classic Shell. Is there really no answer to this? Not famliar with themes but I'm guessing they don't encompass environment variables such as customized Start Menu options? What about Group Policy?

Yes, THAT works, but try doing the same thing but this time try moving a shortcut (or program file) amongst the list of folders. Upon reboot you should see that Windows 7 has forced the shortcut (or program file) to be shown with the other shortcuts and program files before the list of folders. In Windows Explorer I can see the sense in forcing folders to be shown before files, but in the All Programs list, it would seem more logical to alphabetize the entire list irregardless of whether the item is a shortcut (or program file) or a folder. I assume you are able to replicate this issue?

Someone maybe happen to know smth more about this ?

Any developments / news on this ? its really annoying