Start menu folders within folders

Scottyboy99 · 02 Jan 2016

Sorry this is kind of hard to explain. On Windows 7 start menu you could have a folder such as EA Games and then sub folders within. For example a folder for tiger woods golf, a folder for say Fifa and so on. It seems on Windows 10 you can only have one folder level. I have tried creating sub folders but all the shortcuts within the sub folders all appear under the one top/master folder when actually viewing the start menu. Am I correct in this observation/restriction?

Edwin · 02 Jan 2016

Scottyboy99 said:

Sorry this is kind of hard to explain. On Windows 7 start menu you could have a folder such as EA Games and then sub folders within. For example a folder for tiger woods golf, a folder for say Fifa and so on. It seems on Windows 10 you can only have one folder level. I have tried creating sub folders but all the shortcuts within the sub folders all appear under the one top/master folder when actually viewing the start menu. Am I correct in this observation/restriction?

Yep!
I read somewhere that MS was toying with the idea of Menu flyouts or jumplists for the Start Menu but that may be a rumor or wishful thinking on someones part.

dalchina · 02 Jan 2016

It is remarkable that MS, with its emphasis on preserving legacy features for many years, has totally ignored the start menu structure many will import in upgrading to Win 10. One effect is that I see

Help
Help
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and
Readme
Readme
Readme

- all shortcuts from what were (and are) separate subfolders in my start menu hierarchy. Absurd.
You will be far better off using a start menu replacement such as Classic Shell - you can still launch and use the Win 10 menu with a hotkey combination- and even the universal apps from a specific folder implemented by Classic Shell. So you would have (in a way) 3 start menus: Win + X, Win 10's, and Classic Shell- which can be configured to expand in columns across the screen if you wish.

Ztruker · 02 Jan 2016

I can create new folders and subfolders and they show up under All Programs okay.

For instance, I have Malwarebytes Anti-exploit and Malwarebytes Anti-malware installed.
I just now created a Malwarebytes folder under C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
I then moved Anti-exploit and Anti-malware uder the new Malwarebytes bolder and they show up correctly in All Programs.

Start menu folders within folders-smsubfolders.jpg

AndreyT · 03 Jan 2016

Ztruker said:

I can create new folders and subfolders and they show up under All Programs okay.

The OP's question is about the native Windows 10 start menu. You are using a third-party replacement (Start10). No wonder your menu behaves differently.

Scottyboy99 · 03 Jan 2016

Thanks guys, yes my question was solely related to the native menu. I just wanted to check my PC was displaying correct behaviour. I would prefer the old style sub menus but it's not a major issue

Edwin · 03 Jan 2016

Scottyboy99 said:

Thanks guys, yes my question was solely related to the native menu. I just wanted to check my PC was displaying correct behaviour. I would prefer the old style sub menus but it's not a major issue

You could also create custom folders with custom shortcuts that point to certain folders:

Start menu folders within folders-000049.png

Rose W · 03 Jan 2016

Or a Programs toolbar can be linked (taskbar, right side, add new toolbar) Link to C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. These shortcuts are for 'all user' software installs. Software installed for user only will not be in this Start Menu.
In Win7 I had grouped all software by topic. All tools/software for edits on photos were in a Photo folder etc. Win10 routine required a total readjustment so I retrieved the folders/subfolders as a toolbar
Unfortunately new installs will tag on to the end so revisiting the source folder is needed to shift the shortcut to the desired topic folder.
Rose

Start menu folders within folders-myprogrampopup.jpg

Rose W · 03 Jan 2016

Rose W said:

Unfortunately new installs will tag on to the end so revisiting the source folder is needed to shift the shortcut to the desired topic folder.
Rose

Check this post
https://www.tenforums.com/general-dis...rt-menu-2.html

Vital info is the StartMenu folders which are NOT to be removed or adjusted
Plus the feature of TWINNING folders (User AppData Start Menu and Program Data StartMenu)

dalchina · 03 Jan 2016

Ref. Twinning: Curiously one can't even iconise folders in the start menu using Classic Shell without the folders being present in both.

It makes me wonder how well Win 10's menu copes with desktop programs installed for all users and a particular user... if you switch or log in as a different user...