Hewie's Views & Reviews April 24 2006

May, 2006

++++ Sort your Start List

My Start All Programs List of programs on all of my computers have been growing.  I am sure you see similar growth.  Windows adds the new programs at the end of the list.  After a while, it becomes difficult to find programs. If you press the Start button, then All Programs, you will see the list.  Place your cursor within the list, but not highlighting any program, then left mouse click.  Choose the "Sort by Name" and the list is alphabetized, first by folders, then by individual programs that do not appear in folders.

++++ Organize your Start List

Once your Start List is in alphabetic order, it may still be too long for you.  Windows has made it easy you organize your Program list.

The list is made up of shortcuts to folders, programs and files.  These are nothing more than objects (things) that can be edited. The Start Menu is located on the C-Drive under Documents and Settings. Depending upon who, how and where your system was set up, the menu items may be under All Users or under your User Name.  If you use a networked computer, you may have limited or no access to these folders.  However, on your home computer you can get to this information by opening Windows Explorer.  I find it easiest to right mouse click on the Start button and left click on the Explore choice.  This opens Windows Explorer right where you want to be.  You are in Documents and Settings/Your User Name (yours)/Start Menu.  Click once on Programs directly below Start Menu on the left panel and you should see all of the folders and files in your start menu.  If there aren't many, then the rest will be in the same location in the All Users Folder.  

You can create new folder names and move folders, or the contents of folders to these new ones. By combining several in one folder, the original list will be smaller.  You can delete files that remained after uninstalling program, but be sure that the files were removed before deleting from here.  Remember that deleting only removes a shortcut, not the file or program.

By creating a folder called Utilities and moving all of your utilities into such a folder, will shorten your All Programs list.  Some other General topics for folders might be Graphics Programs, Microsoft Programs, Security Programs, and Backup Programs.  Be careful when moving files or folders.  If you drop them in the wrong place, you may have difficulty finding the program icons. I always right mouse click when clicking and dragging, as it brings up a menu when I let go.  If I am not sure that I am dropping in the correct place, I have “Cancel” for a choice.  Also, be sure to move the items, as copying will work, but will increase the size of the list, which is not our intention.  

When you finish, you should have a Program List that will be yours and easy to use.