Windows 7 Professional Programs not showing up

Hello all,

I recently did a new custom build and am having some problems with programs not showing up. I am used to Windows 7 Ultimate but for my new computer I selected Windows 7 Professional (little bit cheaper but I am seeing why). I have installed a couple of programs that do not show up in my start menu. Most notably Windows Live Essentials 2011. Windows live mesh shows up but not windows live mail or Windows live messenger. I have been able to go into the folder and create a shortcut to my desktop and add that to my start menu but I am finding that the more that I install the more that just seem to vanish. I have installed Logitech webcam software and it again is no where to be found besides the installation/program folder the only one showing up in the start menu or desktop is the Logitech vid program.

Reason for my question: Is there a way to change the settings on Professional to match the out of the box settings on Ultimate? Basically when I install a program I would like to have it show up as an item in my start menu and not have to be found somewhere in my Programs files.

Also, when I redirect my libraries to my storage drive they like to appear as hidden folders. I then have to go into my folder options and set the option to always view hidden folders. I would prefer this not to be the case.

Thank you for having a look and possibly helping out.

Yeah, I am able to do that but in my old Windows 7 Ultimate program I never had to do anything like that. I am also not sure that all programs in a suite will show up. Basically just curious on if I can change some setting to correct this....otherwise I might have to get Ultimate back.

Yeah, I do not really want to do a registry change either. Thanks for your help though. I just wish that when a program was installed it showed up in my All Programs folders from the start menu. Again I thank you for trying.

Brink,

I do not think that Windows Live offers you the option to put a shortcut in the start menu (didn't give me the choice at least). When it does give the option I do select that which in my example I did for the logitech software. As for the library I am not moving the physical library I am only adding a new location to the library. When I add a location the library folder (Music for instance) becomes hidden.