Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only)

Kadratis · 08-29-2008, 07:17 PM

Does anybody know how to configure the right side of the Vista start menu besides that of which is already provided in the task bar settings?

**blah789** · 08-29-2008, 07:32 PM

TweakUI used to be able to do this for XP SP1 and above, but I don't think it works in Vista. You could try group policy, or manually making changes to the registry.
Group policy is in start, run, then type gpedit.msc
For taskbar stuff go to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Start Menu and Taskbar. (the options aren't that many though)
Anything in particular you're trying to do?

**jcgriff2** · 08-29-2008, 08:47 PM

Hi. . .

As blah789 mentioned, one option is a change to the registry.

For example, the following will restore the Search to the right-side list in Vista SP1, This .reg file is from The Winhelponline Blog.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;Restores the Search link in Start menu (Vista Service Pack 1)
;Created by Ramesh Srinivasan on March 1, 2008
;http://www.winhelponline.com

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
@="Search..."
"InfoTip"="@explorer.exe,-7000"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
  00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,69,00,6d,00,\
  61,00,67,00,65,00,72,00,65,00,73,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,2d,00,31,\
  00,37,00,37,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\InProcServer32]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
  00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,\
  64,00,6f,00,63,00,76,00,77,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,00,00
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\Instance]
"CLSID"="{3f454f0e-42ae-4d7c-8ea3-328250d6e272}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\Instance\InitPropertyBag]
"CLSID"="{13709620-C279-11CE-A49E-444553540000}"
"command"="@shell32.dll,-12708"
"method"="ShellExecute"
"Param1"="search:"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex\MayChangeDefaultMenu]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\StartMenu\StartPanel\ShowHelp]
"Text"="Search"

Kadratis · 08-30-2008, 04:59 AM

Any chance you can add custom folders, say like a shortcut to a folder other than the materials found in the personal folder? :)

**jcgriff2** · 08-31-2008, 01:08 AM

With registry editing I am sure it could be done.

If I find anything, I'll post back.

jcgriff2

.

Kadratis · 08-31-2008, 01:59 PM

Thank you. :) Good luck!

Slapshot · 08-31-2008, 06:57 PM

right click > properties > customize

thats as much as it will let you change, otherwise edit your registry :)

Kadratis · 09-03-2008, 11:42 AM

^ Thanks but I've already tried that. I have no idea where to look in my registry so I suppose I'll have to hunt it down one way or another. ;)

pcdragin' · 11-14-2008, 10:30 AM

I don't know if this will help any or not, but...

The following is a tweak I developed (I think) from things I discovered while searching the web, then adding or changing some things I thought of.

To change the folder that a right side Start Menu link points to, revise the following registry values:

For the “Music” link, edit:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\My Music

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\My Music

Change the default value of “My Music” to the name of the desired folder – e.g.
“L:\Downloads”

For the “Pictures” link, edit:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\My Pictures

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\My Pictures

Changing the default value of “My Pictures” as in the item above.

Re-Boot.

The User, Documents, & Games links may be changed as well.

An added “bonus” to this is that the items inside these new folders act just like any other item in the start menu, i.e. single clicking on an item (shortcut, document, etc.) launches the program; or opens the document in its associated program. So… be careful! For example, a single click on an executable or script file WILL run that file.

Maybe this will help a little though it's not exactly what you wanted.

Good luck, let me know if this is of any use to you.

Thanx,

Randy

**jcgriff2** · 11-17-2008, 08:23 PM

I would simply add to be sure to back-up the registry keys first before editing them.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/

pcdragin' · 11-20-2008, 08:32 PM

Pleeeeeeze pay attention to what jcgriff2 says and back up / export these registry keys before modifying them.

This is extremely important. You could make your PC unbootable.

I would also recommend a backup of your C drive periodically with one of the available backup programs. This approach has saved me from disaster more than once.

Thanx,

Randy

dai · 11-20-2008, 11:22 PM

right click on the start button and choose properties
on the start menu tab click on customise

08-29-2008, 07:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kadratis Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 14 OS: Windows™ Seven™ Ultimate x64 (RC1)	Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) Does anybody know how to configure the right side of the Vista start menu besides that of which is already provided in the task bar settings? __________________ No time like the present.

08-29-2008, 07:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
blah789 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,874 OS: Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows XP SP3	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) TweakUI used to be able to do this for XP SP1 and above, but I don't think it works in Vista. You could try group policy, or manually making changes to the registry. Group policy is in start, run, then type gpedit.msc For taskbar stuff go to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Start Menu and Taskbar. (the options aren't that many though) Anything in particular you're trying to do?

08-30-2008, 04:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kadratis Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 14 OS: Windows™ Seven™ Ultimate x64 (RC1)	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) Any chance you can add custom folders, say like a shortcut to a folder other than the materials found in the personal folder? :) __________________ No time like the present.

08-31-2008, 01:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Jersey / Southern California Posts: 7,882 OS: Windows 7 RC, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) With registry editing I am sure it could be done. If I find anything, I'll post back. jcgriff2 . __________________ Expecting a reply from me and it has been > 48 hours ? Send a PM containing a link to your thread Due to a family matter, my availability will be limited through ~ July 31, 2009

08-31-2008, 01:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kadratis Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 14 OS: Windows™ Seven™ Ultimate x64 (RC1)	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) Thank you. :) Good luck! __________________ No time like the present.

08-31-2008, 06:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Slapshot Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 325 OS: Vista	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) right click > properties > customize thats as much as it will let you change, otherwise edit your registry :)

09-03-2008, 11:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
Kadratis Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 14 OS: Windows™ Seven™ Ultimate x64 (RC1)	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) ^ Thanks but I've already tried that. I have no idea where to look in my registry so I suppose I'll have to hunt it down one way or another. ;) __________________ No time like the present.

11-14-2008, 10:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
pcdragin' Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 12 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP 1	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) I don't know if this will help any or not, but... The following is a tweak I developed (I think) from things I discovered while searching the web, then adding or changing some things I thought of. To change the folder that a right side Start Menu link points to, revise the following registry values: For the “Music” link, edit: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\My Music HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\My Music Change the default value of “My Music” to the name of the desired folder – e.g. “L:\Downloads” For the “Pictures” link, edit: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\My Pictures HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\My Pictures Changing the default value of “My Pictures” as in the item above. Re-Boot. The User, Documents, & Games links may be changed as well. An added “bonus” to this is that the items inside these new folders act just like any other item in the start menu, i.e. single clicking on an item (shortcut, document, etc.) launches the program; or opens the document in its associated program. So… be careful! For example, a single click on an executable or script file WILL run that file. Maybe this will help a little though it's not exactly what you wanted. Good luck, let me know if this is of any use to you. Thanx, Randy

11-17-2008, 08:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Jersey / Southern California Posts: 7,882 OS: Windows 7 RC, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) I would simply add to be sure to back-up the registry keys first before editing them. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ __________________ Expecting a reply from me and it has been > 48 hours ? Send a PM containing a link to your thread Due to a family matter, my availability will be limited through ~ July 31, 2009

11-20-2008, 08:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
pcdragin' Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 12 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP 1	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) Pleeeeeeze pay attention to what jcgriff2 says and back up / export these registry keys before modifying them. This is extremely important. You could make your PC unbootable. I would also recommend a backup of your C drive periodically with one of the available backup programs. This approach has saved me from disaster more than once. Thanx, Randy

11-20-2008, 11:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 53,582 OS: vista 32x 64x ultimate retail	Re: Vista Advanced Start Menu Configuration (Right Side Only) right click on the start button and choose properties on the start menu tab click on customise __________________