MSPaint start menu icon/location


  1. Posts : 57
    Win 10 21H1
       #1

    MSPaint start menu icon/location


    This is a tiny niggle, but niggle it is. Maybe there's no solution, but here goes...
    MSPaint wasn't on my new computer by default. It's easy to get, though Microsoft being Microsoft, it's not obtained in 10 version 21H1 from control panel\programmes\etc. but is now installed from settings\apps\etc. (Sighs and curses Microsoft quietly under his breath)
    After it was installed the Paint icon.link in my Start menu was located in the "accessories" Start menu folder.
    Normally in such circumstances I just move the icon to the correct location in my nicely organised Start menu. In this case to a folder called "Graphics", where I have the icon.links for Paint.net Irfanview Photoshop etc etc. I like an organised Start menu because too many programmes have stupid unhelpful names that I'd never be able to remember, let alone find, if they were just left in an alphabetic list. It's also much tidier which just makes things quicker to use.
    BUT. The Icon for MSPaint won't move .In fact, not only won't it move but a freshly created shortcut created from the .exe and placed in the Start menu\graphics folder doesn't appear when the Start Menu graphics folder is open. I can see it when I visit C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Graphics
    But when I click on the Start menu and open my Graphics folder it isn't visible there. I've tried changing the default Icon to a custom icon. It still won't appear.
    Microsoft seem to have performed some kind of software magic to make the MSPaint be only launchable from Start menu\accessories folder.
    This annoys me immensely. Because a) as stated I like Start to be properly tidy and organised so that I know where to find stuff and b) Dammit it's My computer. Also c) I don't like this sleight of hand they've pulled and want to know how they did it. (Why they did it is probably never going to get an answer).
    So does anyone know a way to get past this obstacle, or at least know how they did this? I don't mind a bit of registry tinkering.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, given that for you it's an app, one way to create a shortcut to it is to open the Start Menu, find Paint, click on it and hold and drag it to your desktop.

    You should then be able to place that in a folder.

    Interestingly I still have the classic Paint in System32 having continuously upgraded from 1809, I think. In my case the shortcut in Accessories points to %windir%\system32\mspaint.exe

    Another approach might be to use Winaero's tweaker (free) which makes it easy to reinstate classic Paint.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 57
    Win 10 21H1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks, I'll try the Winaero option. I don't think my Paint version is a Store App, because it is in a default folder. Store Apps usually lodge themselves in the stupid alphabetic list (One reason why I avoid using them). It's a Windows App of the old school variety as fr as I can tell, installed from the Windows Optional programmes list. But something obviously has been modified when they moved it from Control Panel to Settings. I have been able to run Paint from a desktop Icon and from an Icon placed onto the task bar. I have been able to place a link.Icon in the Start menu where I want it and I can see it when I explore the Stat Menu folder, but it doesn't appear in the Start menu under normal use. This seems to be some kind of Microsoft stupidity at work One of their "Our way or no way" decisions.
    (From what I gather Win 11 is all going to be like this- I won't be installing it)

    - - - Updated - - -

    Yay! Thank you. Winaero did it, rather weirdly, but justifying my belief that Microsoft has been playing sill b****ers again.
    On the Winaero reboot MSPaint was in the Start\Accessories folder, as you'd expect. But this time it could be moved into the Start\graphics folder. Looking identical to the one Windows had installed, overwriting the icon that was in there. And then appearing as a normal Start menu item.
    Thank you that was a great suggestion.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    - it's a very useful tool, usually with full explanations. Quite often an easy way to do things covered in some of the many tutorials here.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 57
    Win 10 21H1
    Thread Starter
       #5

    it is


    Thanks yes I explored some other bits too. It seems to be really good at putting back the bits that Microsoft has removed for corporate stupidity reasons. e.g. I've replaced the Windows start sound with one of my choosing, something that always used to be easy to do, but, again, they removed.
    Lots of other obstructive changes that Microsoft has introduced can be reversed with it too. A brilliant tool.
      My Computer


 

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