Get back XP Style "All Programs" ?

[Merlin2000]

Is it possible to return the "All Programs" link back to what we saw in XP?

I have a bunch of shortcuts pinned in the start menu, when I click on "All Programs", I have to click "Back" in order to click on the shortcut again.

Also, some of the words get cut off in this new style start menu, and when I mouseover them, Windows 7 automatically scrolls to the right, resulting in not being able to see the first couple characters of the beginning of every word (unless I mouse back over something else).

Hope it's possible

 

[PC WhizzKid]

I am not sure if you can actually do that.

 

[Grimmjow]

Try with this links, there is solution
Welcome to Classic Shell
http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/12179-start-menu-show-all-programs-automatically-4.html
Classic Shell - CodeProject

Hope this helps
P.S Try with first link first

 

[BunBun]

It's not possible natively in Win 7. However check out Welcome to Classic Shell

I know it takes away some of what is good of the Vista/Win7 start menu but IMO its a much better alternative. You can still pin stuff to the old startmenu the only drawbacks are you lose the quick search bar (if you like it) and recently opened programs list. The writer of Class Shell will possilby implement a recently opened programs listing into classic shell.

EDIT:

Grimmjow beat me to it >.<

 

[Grimmjow]

It's not possible natively in Win 7. However check out Welcome to Classic Shell

I know it takes away some of what is good of the Vista/Win7 start menu but IMO its a much better alternative. You can still pin stuff to the old startmenu the only drawbacks are you lose the quick search bar (if you like it) and recently opened programs list. The writer of Class Shell will possilby implement a recently opened programs listing into classic shell.

EDIT:

Grimmjow beat me to it >.<

I've found it in less then minute, just opened search, here in the forum, and typed the magical words It sent me in right direction, guys should try that feature of this forum more often, it works in most of the cases,there are a LOT of posts around here
cheers

 

[Merlin2000]

Everything about the Win 7 start menu is great, except for the way it displays the programs.

I used to use the run command like a hundred times a day to launch programs, that's changed with the ability to quickly search - I don't even wait for the search results to finish, just type in "calc" and immediately hit enter.

I ran across this website: Get Windows XP Styled Classic All Programs List in Windows Vista and 7 - Tweaking with Vishal

It sent me in right direction, guys should try that feature of this forum more often, it works in most of the cases,there are a LOT of posts around here

- The nice thing about additional threads, is that keywords/keyphrases used will not always bring up all the threads.

While this question is specifically dealing with XP and "All Programs", a search for that returned results without XP in the title.

There's nothing wrong with multiple threads, if anything, it helps out the website for search engine rankings.

 

[Merlin2000]

The last step says to modify this registry key:

4. You can also disable the All Programs button in start menu. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
​

In right-side pane, create a new DWORD value NoStartMenuMorePrograms and set its value to 1

However, I do not currently have this folder:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Does anyone else have that folder?

 

[Grimmjow]

It sent me in right direction, guys should try that feature of this forum more often, it works in most of the cases,there are a LOT of posts around here

- The nice thing about additional threads, is that keywords/keyphrases used will not always bring up all the threads.
There's nothing wrong with multiple threads, if anything, it helps out the website for search engine rankings.

I'm not saying not to ask with new threads and all that. I'm asking to; I mean, there are a lot of smart guys around here, my point was, why not try figure it out by as, you now curiosity and all that Now, when I'm like scared that I'll mess up something, of course I'll ask, as I said, a lot of SMART guys are hanging around here, and of course I would like to read their opinion.
cheers

 

[BunBun]

The last step says to modify this registry key:

4. You can also disable the All Programs button in start menu. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
​

In right-side pane, create a new DWORD value NoStartMenuMorePrograms and set its value to 1

However, I do not currently have this folder:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Does anyone else have that folder?

Create it if you dont have it.

I have up to explorer but that key is not in it.

 

[Merlin2000]

Is it possible to have multiple windows for the All Programs compared to a long list that you have to scroll through?

 

[Merlin2000]

Anyone?

 

[REB]

I dont think its possible from the "All Programs" button because thats a whole new structure and cant just be changed with a finger snap.

However.. If its of any interest, you can do a funky tweak so all your programs are listed in the favorites menu, which is like in XP..

Im forinstance using favorites as my games-shortcuts-folder menu.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Everything about the Win 7 start menu is great, except for the way it displays the programs.

I used to use the run command like a hundred times a day to launch programs, that's changed with the ability to quickly search - I don't even wait for the search results to finish, just type in "calc" and immediately hit enter.

I ran across this website: Get Windows XP Styled Classic All Programs List in Windows Vista and 7 - Tweaking with Vishal

Thanks.. This is a Really Sweet hack.

I normally use Vista Start Menu to give me back a more XP Style start menu..
Vista Start Menu – Convenient alternative to Start menu

But there are times I just don't want extra apps running.. This hack is great when I want to use the All Programs with the default Start Menu.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Is it possible to have multiple windows for the All Programs compared to a long list that you have to scroll through?

I haven't tried this yet.. but I think it would be possible this way... instead of using the favorites menu for this task.. hack the registry hack you first used to use a different folder..one that you do not normally use.. that can be set as Display as link or display as menu..

Perhaps games, Personal folder, pictures, videos or recorded -TV.. that's a good one.. who needs a folder for recorded tv ?? LOL

That's just a theory but worth looking into I think..

EDIT: I just took a look at the instructions. look at #2.. so we would just be editing the value of another folder instead of "favorites" it seems. this may not work but I am going to try it out.

" 1. Open regedit and go to following keys one by one:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
​

2. Now you'll need to change the value of Favorites string value in right-side pane to:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
​

Change C: to your system drive, where windows is installed in your system.
3. That's it. Log off or restart your system and now "Favorites" link in start menu will change to "Programs" and will show all program shortcuts installed in your system just like XP start menu does.


NOTE: If you can't see the new menu in startmenu, you'll need to enable "Favorites Menu" from Taskbar Properties -> Start Menu -> Customize. "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Interesting.. Games and Recorded TV is not in the list in regedit. if this is going to work, we will have to use another folder like Pictures, Music or Video.

Edit:

YES!! SUCCESS ! Sort of.. LOL.. if you use My Pictures for example, and set it to display as a link.. it will work But.. for me the Pictures folder name does not change from "Pictures" to "Programs".. the programs folder shows up inside of the pictures folder/link. But at least it can work.. I was able to open the pictures as a link in a new window and the program folder was inside of it with all the All Program links. I think the problem is just a simple sytax error someplace.. I just need to refine the tweak.

I did not disable the other Programs folder the first tweak created.. perhaps this is part of the problem.

I am going to play with this to see if I can't get it to work.. if you beat me to it.. let me know.. LOL

OR.. if that does not work.. and it seems it may not.. as I sit here playing with regedit.. the other thing to find out how to do is make the favorites folder display as a link and not as a manu.. that will solve the problem!

 

[Merlin2000]

Let me know how it works out. I'm eager to give this a shot if it works! I'm too scared to mess with the registry lol

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Let me know how it works out. I'm eager to give this a shot if it works! I'm too scared to mess with the registry lol

I cannot seem to get it to work this way.. unless you just don't mind getting the access you want from the pictures folder and then opening the Programs subfolder from there, that will open into a new window... For a workaround - that will work.. but it's sloppy and not too nice looking.. LOL

The other way to fix it is to find a way to force the Favorites folder to display as a link instead of a menu.

Since Windows does not let you do this easily, I have looked and looked in the registry for a way to do that and cannot find one. I have asked on about 5 different forums including here, if anyone knows a way to do this.

If I find a way, I will test it and let you know.