Start Menu User Folder Buttons - Open to Users Instead of Libraries

How to Make Windows 7 Start Menu User Folder Buttons Open to Users Instead of Libraries Location​

   Information

This will show you how to make the Windows 7 Start Menu My Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos buttons open to the real C:\Users\(user-name) location instead of the default Libraries location for all users.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Note

Credit belongs to our member Foe for this.

EXAMPLE: Start Menu User Folder Buttons

OPTION ONE

Set Start Menu User Folder Buttons to Open to "Users" Location

1. Set Start Menu Documents Button to Open to Users Location
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Start_Menu_My_Documents_Open_to_Users.reg

Download


2. Set Start Menu Music Button to Open to Users Location
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Start_Menu_Music_Open_to_Users.reg

Download


3. Set Start Menu Pictures Button to Open to Users Location
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Start_Menu_Pictures_Open_to_Users.reg

Download


4. Set Start Menu Recorded TV Button to Open to Public Location
NOTE: Special thanks to Foe for this addition.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Start_Menu_Recored_TV_Open_to_Public.bat

Download


5. Set Start Menu Videos Button to Open to Users Location
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Start_Menu_Videos_Open_to_Users.reg

Download


6. Save the .reg or. bat file to the desktop.

7. Double click on the downloaded .reg or .bat file.

8. Click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted.

9. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

10. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION TWO

Set Start Menu User Folder Buttons to Open to Default "Libraries" Location

1. Set Start Menu Documents Button back to Open to Default Libraries Location
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Default_Start_Menu_My_Documents_Open_to_Library.reg

Download


2. Set Start Menu Music Button back to Open to Default Libraries Location
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Default_Start_Menu_Music_Open_to_Library.reg

Download


3. Set Start Menu Pictures Button back to Open to Default Libraries Location
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Default_Start_Menu_Pictures_Open_to_Library.reg

Download


4. Set Start Menu Recorded TV Button back to Open to Default Public Libraries Location
NOTE: Special thanks to Foe for this addition.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Start_Menu_Recored_TV_Open_to_Public_Library.reg

Download


5. Set Start Menu Videos Button back to Open to Default Libraries Location
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Default_Start_Menu_Videos_Open_to_Library.reg

Download


6. Save the .reg file to the desktop.

7. Double click on the downloaded .reg file.

8. Click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted.

9. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

10. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Customize the Windows 7 Start Menu
• How to Add or Remove the Libraries Desktop Icon in Windows 7
• How to Add or Remove the Windows 7 Libraries Folder from the Navigation Pane
• How to Hide or Show a Library in the Windows 7 Navigation Pane

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

"C:\Users\Public\Recorded TV" is the correct path that Windows 7 uses when referenced, but it displays as below. That's all. You have it correct.

View attachment 152762

I'm not certain why it's not opening to the same location as it is for me. Since it still opens to show both included Recorderd TV locations though, I wouldn't worry about it. While different than mine, it's effectively the same.

Just updated the picture above my public recorded tv folder is named only recorded tv no public

 

[Brink]

Strange, that may be a why. If you like, you could test to see how it behaves if you rename it Public Recorded TV. If it messes up, just rename it back to Recorded TV.

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Ok Shawn

I deleted all Recorded TV folders and all Recorded TV libraries and reset the start menu using the default reg file in this tutorial.Also named the c:\users\public TV folder to Public Recorded TV.So identical to yours.I relocated the desktop folder back to c: to count that out as well. So back to square 1. Rebooted and created a new Recorded TV folder but on c:\users\danny which is the same as yours so that rules out a location issue.

Right Clicked on c:\users\public\Public Recorded TV include in library\create new library.Renamed that library to Recorded TV (just removed public) Included the new c:\users\danny Recorded TV folder I created for this test.All fine to this point the library shows the 2 locations.Public on top and default save location.

Right clicked Recorded TV in the start menu\properties and included the C:\Users\danny\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\Recorded TV library which added the 2 locations c:\users\public recorded tv and c:\users\danny\recorded tv.

Ran the reg file from c:\desktop.Agreed yes yes and rebooted.

And STILL no location change.If that reads identical to what you did feel free to email me lots of expletives because i just dont know where im going wrong.I dont think theres anything else to try so I will thank you for all your time and patience and hope your still talking to me.

Thanks Shawn
Danny

 

[Brink]

I looks like you did it the same way I did. I don't know what else to suggest anymore either.

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

I looks like you did it the same way I did. I don't know what else to suggest anymore either.

Will come back to it the next time I do a clean install.Maybe some setting corrupt.

Appreciate your help Shaun

Danny

 

[Brink]

LOL, you're welcome. I'll be here when the next time comes around to help if needed.

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Thought id have another look at this.
Wish I hadnt bothered lol. Still cant get the on screen location to change.Interestingly though It also doesnt change if I customise the Recorded TV start menu library like here http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/26716-add-custom-folder-library-start-menu.html and change the name to something else and point it to any file on my D drive.It still shows as pointing to public users instead of the D drive.



You managed to change the location of the library.

Therefore You would be able to change the recorded tv name to anything you like and point it to any folder and it would show as above.

That is presuming you could get the damn thing to change in the first place.

Danny

 

[Brink]

You may be able to right click on Recorded TV in the Start Menu, click on Rename, type in a new name, press Enter, give UAC approval to change the name.

Afterwards, right click on Recorded TV in the Start Menu, click on Properties, include the folder you want it to point to, set this folder as the new Save To folder. If you didn't want any other folder included in the library, then you could remove them to only have the new folder in it.

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Shaun that did work but its still pointing to the new public library not users library.

That reg file will not change the library location no matter what I do even though its pointing to users libraries in the registry its still displaying as public in explorer.

 

[Brink]

Hmm, ok. When you go to the first path below inside the Libraries folder, press and hold Shift key, right click on Recorded TV, click on Copy as path, and paste it into your post here, does it have a path like the second one below but with your username?

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries


"C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\Recorded TV.library-ms"

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Hi Shaun

Yes thats what I get

"C:\Users\danny\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\Recorded TV.library-ms"

This makes no sense at all.How can it be changed in the registry and not in explorer, wheres it gettin its information from lol.

Danny

 

[Brink]

I just can't understand why it's not working for you either when it opens to the Users....Libraries for me using the same steps I outlined here. :huh:

I must admit that I'm stumped.

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Could it be a permissions issue.Is it worth taking ownership of the libraries and reg keys involved.Thanks for looking again Shaun, we will get it in the end

Danny

 

[Brink]

No, I wouldn't recommend it. Doing so could cause unknown issues.

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Ok Shaun will leave it be.

Just one thing I noticed which may be of interest.As I mentioned previous the Recorded tv folder in the public folders was labelled as "Recorded TV" not "Public Recorded TV" like in yours.I changed the name to mach yours but on reboot it re creates the "Recorded TV" folder and moves the temp rec folder to it.Also if I create a new user acc its also labelled as "Recorded TV".Not sure why but suppose it could be a version thing not sure.

Danny

 

[Brink]

I'm thinking that this may the issue or part of it since it should be named "Public Recorded TV".

 

[foe]

I would like to take a look into it, too, if you guys don't mind.

I can't say i fully understand the problem though: the default location of the 'Recorded TV' library is in the public folder (just did a clean install and can confirm that much). I guess you could change it, but it would change for all users, so you would still 'share' it, at least with other users on the same system. You would be better off making a sub folder in 'videos' I guess.

PS i read stuff about deleting and recreating the libraries? How are you doing that? A handmade library could behave different from a default one i guess. This is the content of my C:\users\Public\Libraries\RecordedTV.library-ms:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<libraryDescription xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/windows/2009/library">
  <name>@shell32.dll,-34615</name>
  <ownerSID>S-1-5-18</ownerSID>
  <isLibraryPinned>true</isLibraryPinned>
  <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1008</iconReference>
  <templateInfo>
    <folderType>{5fa96407-7e77-483c-ac93-691d05850de8}</folderType>
  </templateInfo>
  <searchConnectorDescriptionList>
    <searchConnectorDescription publisher="Microsoft" product="Windows">
      <description>@shell32.dll,-34617</description>
      <isDefaultSaveLocation>true</isDefaultSaveLocation>
      <isDefaultNonOwnerSaveLocation>true</isDefaultNonOwnerSaveLocation>
      <simpleLocation>
        <url>shell:public\Recorded TV</url>
      </simpleLocation>
    </searchConnectorDescription>
  </searchConnectorDescriptionList>
</libraryDescription>

As you can see the location 'public\Recorded TV' is mentioned within the file.

 

[Brink]

Hello Foe,

Not at all. The more the merrier.

 

[foe]

Just tested it, it seams like the url section in this, points at the location of the REAL files.

If i change it to <url>C:\</url> I get to see the files and folder located there (like the windows folder), when clicking on the recorded tv button in the start menu. So this determines the location of the included files/folders it seems...

*Edit*
Yes, i ran a test. I added the folder C:\windows and E:\root, my file now reeds:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<libraryDescription xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/windows/2009/library">
  <name>@shell32.dll,-34615</name>
  <ownerSID>S-1-5-18</ownerSID>
  <version>12</version>
  <isLibraryPinned>false</isLibraryPinned>
  <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1008</iconReference>
  <templateInfo>
    <folderType>{5fa96407-7e77-483c-ac93-691d05850de8}</folderType>
  </templateInfo>
  <propertyStore>
    <property name="HasModifiedLocations" type="boolean"><![CDATA[true]]></property>
  </propertyStore>
  <searchConnectorDescriptionList>
    <searchConnectorDescription publisher="Microsoft" product="Windows">
      <description>@shell32.dll,-34617</description>
      <isDefaultSaveLocation>true</isDefaultSaveLocation>
      <isDefaultNonOwnerSaveLocation>true</isDefaultNonOwnerSaveLocation>
      <simpleLocation>
        <url>shell:public\Recorded TV</url>
      </simpleLocation>
    </searchConnectorDescription>
    <searchConnectorDescription>
      <isDefaultNonOwnerSaveLocation>true</isDefaultNonOwnerSaveLocation>
      <isSupported>true</isSupported>
      <simpleLocation>
        <url>knownfolder:{F38BF404-1D43-42F2-9305-67DE0B28FC23}</url>
        <serialized>MBAAAEAFCAAAAAAAADAAAAAAAY0gAAQBQAAAAUEFZo/KEocAy99UEXfKMHgcfPFx1nCzBAAQAAAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwLAUAwHQB+TQDi66kGEiiNCAsCMw0ZGA8yQ6wFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCQMAAAAAAQz+YdkQAwVp5GZvd3cAwDAIAABA8uvurzoU0sPWHpKAAAANIAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAcFApBgbAQGAvBwdAMHAAAgFAsDADAgDA8uvBAAFA8BUg/E0gouOpBhoYjAArADMdmBAvMkOcBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYBAAAQOAAAAcAAAAEAAAAAHAAAAtAAAAAAAAAAOAAAARAAAAMAAAAgU34PWQAAAAAwQ6w1Vp5GZvd3cAAAEAAAAFAAAgSCAAAguAAAAcAAAAsAAAAKB0v48D1h8CNZBn59Cow/I6CAAAkJAAAQCAAAoNCAAAEzUQNl4KilR8yEODtL/TMpJY2mzxBAAAQAAAAAAfAAAA8CAAAwUA0CAxAQLAUDAtAgMAEDAtAgMAYDAyAQOAcDAyAAOAEDAzAgMA0CAzAgNAEDAzAQMAMDA3AQMAkDAwAQLAQDAxAwNAkDAyAQMAMDAzAwMAMDAtAQMAADAwAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGAAAwAAAAoYBAAAAAAAAQYzV3cfNnavVmckBAAAAAAIWdhG1zehGkg96To+Yl7motpsVY7ZCeESqHAiMkoJTIiVXoR9sXoBJYv+EqPW5uJabKbF2emgHhk6BgIDJayECAAAAA</serialized>
      </simpleLocation>
    </searchConnectorDescription>
    <searchConnectorDescription>
      <isSupported>true</isSupported>
      <simpleLocation>
        <url>E:\root</url>
        <serialized>MBAAAEAFCAAAAAAAADAAAAAAAY0gAAQBQAAAAQqwv3+ZjwcANdzzng2IMHQT388JoNCzBAAAAAAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQLAUAwHQB+TQDi66kGEiiNCAsCMw0ZGA8SR6wFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFCQMAAAAAAQx+sLUQAgcv9GdAAgNAgAAEAw7+WsPJCVx+sLUqAAAAsUAAAAAAEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgcA8GAvBAdAAAAUAwOAIAAOAw7+GAAUAwHQB+TQDi66kGEiiNCAsCMw0ZGA8SR6wFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFAAAA8AAAAwBAAAQAAAAAcAAAAMDAAAAAAAAA7AAAAcBAAAwAAAAA9/PAMABAAAgRpNGdpVGAFpDXy92b0BAAoAAAAkAAAAKHAAAAxMFUTJuiYZEvMhzQ7y/ETaCmt5MAAAAAAAAAAAGAAAwAAAAoYBAAAAAAAAQYzV3cfNnavVmckBAAAAAAwbucKucr990vUNES1xcY20tpsVY7ZCeESqHAiMkoJTI8mLniL3afP9LVDhUdMHmNdbKbF2emgHhk6BgIDJayECAAAAA</serialized>
      </simpleLocation>
    </searchConnectorDescription>
  </searchConnectorDescriptionList>
</libraryDescription>

trow knownfolder:{F38BF404-1D43-42F2-9305-67DE0B28FC23} in a run window, you will see it is an alias of the windows folder.

*EDIT2*

A search for "RecordedTV.library-ms" in the data of my registry lead me to believe that the displayed directory is read from "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{1A6FDBA2-F42D-4358-A798-B74D745926C5}"

from the string ParentFolder. It reads "{DFDF76A2-C82A-4D63-906A-5644AC457385}" which are the public libraries. Let me try playing with this...

*edit 3*
bingo, i changed the parent to {1B3EA5DC-B587-4786-B4EF-BD1DC332AEAE}, which is 'libraries'. It gave me this:

Even though the library file itself is still located at the public folder. It seems like the system made a default one automatically. I deleted the file from the old location. It is not being recreated.

I think this should answer about all the questions i could think of...

 

[foe]

Ok, i will put the instruction in a new post. I you would like to change the recorded tv library from public to personal, use this reg file:View attachment rectvnonpublic.reg

copy the file C:\users\Public\Libraries\RecordedTV.library-ms to %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\RecordedTV.library-ms

if you want to keep the references in the old file that is.

Log off an back on.

I did not test this, but it seems plausible for the library to no longer be shared with other users on the same system as well, since the references are now kept in the %userprofile%\appdata sub-directory...