How to Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10
Warning
This tutorial will no longer work starting with the Windows 10 Creators Updates
version 1703.
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
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
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)
4. Type in a name (ex: Documents library) you want, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
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)
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
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
5. Click/tap on
Continue to approve. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn