Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10  

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    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10

    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10

    How to Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    16 Apr 2017
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10

    warning   Warning
    This tutorial will no longer work starting with the Windows 10 Creators Updates version 1703.

    information   Information
    The Start menu in Windows 10 has a Start list that you can customize which folders appear in the list. Users can add or remove the File Explorer, Settings, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, Homegroup, Network, and Personal folder to their Start list to open from their Start menu.

    If you like, you are able to change the name and target path of the default folders on the Start list to customize how you like for all users on the PC.

    This tutorial will show you how to rename and change the target path of Start list folders to what you want for all users in Windows 10.

    You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to customize the Start list folders.

    Note   Note
    This will not change the icons of the folders on the Start list.

    You will not be able to change the target of the Homegroup and Network folder.

    Renaming folders will only apply the new name on the Start list, and not in Settings.


    CONTENTS:


    EXAMPLE: Default and Custom Start list folders
    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10-folders_on_start.png
    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10-custom_folders_on_start.png






    OPTION ONE

    To Rename a Folder on Start List


    1. Open File Explorer.

    2. Copy and paste the location below into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter.

    %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu Places


    3. Right click or press and hold on one of the default folders (ex: Documents) you want to rename, and click/tap on Rename. (see screenshot below)

    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10-start_menu_places_rename-1.png

    4. Type in a name (ex: Documents library) you want, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10-start_menu_places_rename-2.png






    OPTION TWO

    To Change Target Path of Folder on Start List


    1. Open File Explorer.

    2. Copy and paste the location below into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter.

    %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu Places


    3. Right click or press and hold on one of the default folders (ex: Documents) you want to change the target of, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10-start_menu_places_target-1.png

    4. In the Target field, type the full path location of any file, folder, or drive you want this shortcut to open, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)
    Tip   Tip
    The Documents, Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos folders open to the current user's personal %UserProfile% folder location.

    If you wanted them to open to the library location instead, then you could use the target paths below.

    Documents library: %appdata%\microsoft\windows\libraries\Documents.library-ms
    Music library: %appdata%\microsoft\windows\libraries\Music.library-ms
    Pictures library: %appdata%\microsoft\windows\libraries\Pictures.library-ms
    Videos library: %appdata%\microsoft\windows\libraries\Videos.library-ms


    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10-start_menu_places_target-2.png

    5. Click/tap on Continue to approve. (see screenshot below)

    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10-start_menu_places_target-3.png




    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 2
    Win10CU
       #1

    Any update? CU seems to have broken this...
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello @watdahaps, and welcome to Ten Forums.

    Nope. It doesn't appear to be working anymore in CU.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 369
    Windows 10 x64 Pro 22H2
       #3

    Hem... Taking advantage of this thread, seems CU broke the intended behaviour of the "Personal Folder" item... now it opens the real location of the user profile folder, instead of opening the special shell folder, that includes all the user folders no matter if you move them or not...

    Any idea why or how to fix this behaviour?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 97
    Win10 Pro, Version 21H2 (Build 19044.1706) (14.06.2022)
       #4

    How can I add my own personalized folder to this menu?
    Example: E:\Games\ABC Game\PrintScreens
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 42,636
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #5

    Example (from 1709):
    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10-1.jpg

    All the items in the file explorer screenshot appear in Win 10 start menu. Note the path (the gap is your user profile folder name- I've deleted mine).

    Note: a really easy way to do this neatly - even if you don't use it as a start menu (and it is so much better) is to install Classic Shell (now Open Shell) start menu (free). You can accomplish this simply by drag and drop using Open Shell start menu - effectively as an editor.

    And once you've started using that, you may well never want to use Win 10's start menu again.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 97
    Win10 Pro, Version 21H2 (Build 19044.1706) (14.06.2022)
       #6

    Thank you for your fast reply, @dalchina.

    I would like to see my own personalized folder on the left side from the icon you have circled in red. In the same column as the fixed icons in the first two print screens of this tutorial (same place as "Documents", "Downloads", "Music" in white color on black background).

    How can I do that?
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 42,636
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #7

    If you wish to create and add your own library folder you can. The tutorial section will help you.

    Windows 10 Tutorial Index | Windows 10 Tutorials
    Recommend bookmarking this list so you can search it.

    Include Folder to Library in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
    Create New Library in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 42,636
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

    In 1709 at least you can do this:
    Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10-untitled.png
    - having enabled Personal Folder in Settings.

    Then click that and browse to the folder you wish to open.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 97
    Win10 Pro, Version 21H2 (Build 19044.1706) (14.06.2022)
       #9

    I thought I can add something like "E:\Games\ABC Game\PrintScreens" to this list of folders.
      My Computers


 

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