All pinned programs to start menu are gone

Amon · 06 Jul 2017

Thank you all for helping me out with this issue :)

Just one more query, i used to be able to pin specific .txt files to the taskbar earlier. I can't do that any more i get an unable to create shortcut message.

The technique i used was

Right click on your desktop and New > Shortcut. In the target, specify the program you want to execute and its path in quotes -- "C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe". Add a space, and input the location of your file (again enclosed in quotes). The full target looks like this:
"C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe" "C:\Users\Server\Desktop\foo.txt"

Now, give your shortcut a name -- this text will appear when you hover over your pinned taskbar icon. Before pinning, you can also right-click and choose properties if you'd like to choose a different icon for your shortcut. Once you're all done, left-click and drag the shortcut to the taskbar. That's it!

Is there another way to pin specific .txt files to taskbar

Thank you.

ICIT2LOL · 06 Jul 2017

Well I am glad you got things fixed mate although I am wondering how large is your taskbar now I know you probably have a good reason for wanting text files on the taskbar but why no just get them from the Docs on the Start menu??

Amon · 06 Jul 2017

The taskbar has about 2 or 3 pinned programs right now.

I need ease of access (in one click) to a text file, to add entries and then close it when not needed. Just the way i like to do it.

ethel · 06 Jul 2017

Hi Amon, The tutorial below by Brink may be what you are looking for.

Taskbar - Pin or Unpin a Program

ICIT2LOL · 06 Jul 2017

Ok I just found this
How do I pin a folder to the taskbar?

To make a folder shortcut you will need to hold down the Shift key, right-click the folder you want to pin to the taskbar, and choose "Copy as path". Then, create a Desktop shortcut as you did in the previous section of this tutorial, but just press Ctrl-V to paste the path you copied.Aug 27, 2015

So what I did I got it to the desktop and then (make sure the taskbar in unlocked

) and then just clicked on it and dragged it to the taskbar

ICIT2LOL · 06 Jul 2017

ethel said:

Hi Amon, The tutorial below by Brink may be what you are looking for.

Taskbar - Pin or Unpin a Program

Hello Ethel if you look down at the bottom there is a link to this Taskbar - Pin or Unpin a Folder I haven't tried it yet and my other suggestion sopped working after I shut down IE?? bit weird

Yep Option one works fine Amon you need just to change the icon

ethel · 06 Jul 2017

Hello John, The reason I chose that tutorial was 2. Drag a file that has a program associated for it

example .txt file for Notepad, but I may be wrong.

bawldiggle · 06 Jul 2017

Create a shortcut to your TXT file on the Start Menu and create a shortcut key to open the TXT file. You dont even have to touch your mouse to open the TXT file.

And with a text editor (like Metapad36) it's free, you can then close the TXT file with the ESC key.
- I suggest you dont use the LE version
Metapad36 is free (installer or portable) and once assigned as your default TXT app, it will auto open all TXT files.
Notepad will still be available
I was using Metapad36 with Win-XP and then in Win7

HOW:
Two methods:

Rclick on the Start Menu -> Create shortcut to your TXT file
Name the shortcut in the second stage of the shortcut wizard ... this will be the caption on the Start Menu.

_OR_

Create a shortcut to your TXT file on the desktop
Drag the shortcut onto the start menu

_ THEN_

Rightclick on the start menu txt file item -> Properties
In the "Shortcut Key" box hold the keys that you want to use, eg, Ctrl+Alt+T
- this inputbox is not a text box, just hold all keys you want as a shortcut keys combo

Apply (button) -> OK (Btn)

:)

ICIT2LOL · 06 Jul 2017

ethel said:

Hello John, The reason I chose that tutorial was 2. Drag a file that has a program associated for it

example .txt file for Notepad, but I may be wrong.

No it doesn't matter how you do it as long as it is done ethel the way I did it was an easy way for me personally

.

Amon · 06 Jul 2017

Thank you for replying ethel and ICIT2LOL, but the methods/tutorials did not work.

@bawldiggle Thank you!

Your method works perfectly

Create a shortcut to your TXT file on the desktop
Drag the shortcut onto the start menu

_ THEN_

Rightclick on the start menu txt file item -> Properties
In the "Shortcut Key" box hold the keys that you want to use, eg, Ctrl+Alt+T
- this inputbox is not a text box, just hold all keys you want as a shortcut keys combo

Apply (button) -> OK (Btn)

Though i created the shortcut in the destination folder itself and dragged it from there.

Initially i was able to use the hotkey option, but it doesnt seem to work anymore for some reason. Anyway will figure that out later

Thank you all

All pinned programs to start menu are gone

an alternative idea