Windows 7 Professional Programs not showing up

[csloaner]

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.

 

[richc46]

If you type the name of the program in start and then right click when it pop up, dont you have the option pin to start menu?

 

[csloaner]

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.

 

[richc46]

Im not an expert with what you want, but it may take a registry change, which I do not suggest that you do.

 

[Brink]

Hello Csloaner,

Usually during the installation of a program, there may be an option to select to add a shortcut into the Start Menu (All Programs area).

On your library issue, are you moving the library itself, or the included folder in the library?

The included folders is where the files are actually saved at. The library is just a reference point to be able to just view all the included folders actually saved at different locations in one location (library) instead.

 

[csloaner]

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.

 

[richc46]

You have received another post, which may be more help. I do wish you the best of luck

 

[Brink]

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.

Registry change is not needed. If the program doesn't give you the option to add it to the Start Menu during it's installation, you can manually add a shortcut of the program's exe file into the Start Menu All Programs area.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/296-start-menu-all-programs-add-delete-shortcuts.html

 

[csloaner]

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.

 

[Brink]

The Windows Live programs should be added to All Programs by default. If not for some strange reason, then manually adding them should work.

Are you including the (ex: Music) folder like in the tutorial below?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/585-library-include-folder.html



Some more questions about libraries. Sorry, just trying to narrow down the issue.

• Are these folders hidden (faded) on you storage drive when viewed from that location in Windows Explorer?
• Are all included folders in the library hidden, or just specific included folders?
• Is it like this in all library folders, or just specific ones?

 

[csloaner]

The Windows Live programs should be added to All Programs by default. If not for some strange reason, then manually adding them should work.

Are you including the (ex: Music) folder like in the tutorial below?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/585-library-include-folder.html


Some more questions about libraries. Sorry, just trying to narrow down the issue.

• Are these folders hidden (faded) on you storage drive when viewed from that location in Windows Explorer?
• Are all included folders in the library hidden, or just specific included folders?
• Is it like this in all library folders, or just specific ones?

Yeah, I have added the folders as the tutorial states. I go to the library that I want to add the folder to and click on # of locations and add the folder that way.

• On my storage drive they are not hidden
• All included folders in the libraries are not hidden
• All Top level folders (Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos) are hidden

 

[Brink]

If these are the ones in the C:\Users\(user-name) folder, then you might see if running the commands for the hidden user folders in steps 22-24 of Option Two in the tutorial below may be able to keep them unhiden for you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18583-user-folders-restore-default-location.html