Solved Q: Move Start Menu items into sub-folders

[DarkStar GT]

I have installed some programs that have added shortcuts (to their .exe files) to the Start menu and folders to the Start >> All Programs list.

In XP. I moved these items into sub-folders, to keep things uncluttered and easy to navigate. e.g.
I moved the sub-folder XXXX
from C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
into C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Graphics

and moved the link to the program .exe
from C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
into C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Graphics\XXXX

Can I do the equivalent moves in Windows 7?
Are there any pit-falls to watch out for?

 

[yowanvista]

Here is where Win7 stores it's start menu shotcuts
:ar: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

 

[DarkStar GT]

So I can do it without problems? And, I would think that any additions under my own user account name would be in a different folder but could be moved to a sub-folder.

[I realise that any uninstalls would not succeed completely as the shortcuts owuld have been moved.]

 

[Greg S]

So I can do it without problems? And, I would think that any additions under my own user account name would be in a different folder but could be moved to a sub-folder.

[I realise that any uninstalls would not succeed completely as the shortcuts owuld have been moved.]

I tried it on my setup and Win 7 seemed to update the whereabouts of the moved shortcuts fairly well. But as you mention, not all shortcuts will have been placed in just that one folder. It would depend on the user and the installation type, be it for just the user installing it or if it installed for all users. Keep in mind that moving them to the path mentioned in the other reply would make them available for all users.

 

[DarkStar GT]

Just an update that might help others:

I created 2 new Start Menu folders:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Audio
C:\Users\DarkStar\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Audio
-- one for "everyone", one for me.

I moved the shortcuts folders that the Installers had created
from C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Audio

And those created
in C:\Users\DarkStar\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
to C:\Users\DarkStar\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Audio

At the "All Programs" level, there were also a couple of shortcuts to .exe files. I move those into the sub-folders too.

Now things look a lot tidier and easier / more logical to navigate.

HTH