Windows Customization Tip

Saturday, April 17, 2004 by SelfExiled | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk

Did you know that you can scroll through every folder on your hard drives by creating a shortcut to My Computer in the All Programs section of the start menu? You can then double click on a folder to open it. You can even rename the shortcut as My Computer. It is much easier than clicking on folders in windows explorer to get to a folder that you want to open. Just a tip.
Essencay
Reply #1 Saturday, April 17, 2004 4:48 AM
Neat tip....never tried to do it that way before Two other ways to do the same is to create a toolbar on the taskbar and reduce it down to just the toolbar title or in XP in the advanced startmenu configuration change 'my computer' from 'display as link' to 'display as menu' and like ChasUGC said...much easier than using windows explorer
bordfryr
Reply #2 Saturday, April 17, 2004 7:53 AM
So how do you create a shortcut in the all programs section?
digital_trucker
Reply #3 Saturday, April 17, 2004 8:17 AM
Create a shortcut in Document and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
bordfryr
Reply #4 Saturday, April 17, 2004 9:02 AM
OK,I got the My Computer icon in "All Programs", but it only opens the My Computer window.


[Message Edited]
bordfryr
Reply #5 Saturday, April 17, 2004 3:52 PM
bump
NightTrainthedark
Reply #6 Saturday, April 17, 2004 4:08 PM
bordfryr, go to control panel, taskbar and start menu, start menu, customize, advance. You will see a box "display as menu" or "display as a link". Check display as menu.

Good tip ChasUGC.
Essencay
Reply #7 Saturday, April 17, 2004 6:45 PM
ChasUGC...means putting a shortcut of My Computer here C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs and it works
bordfryr
Reply #8 Saturday, April 17, 2004 8:10 PM
I can get it to show up in All Programs, but it still only opens the My Computer window.
Essencay
Reply #9 Saturday, April 17, 2004 8:14 PM
Try putting it there this way...right-click on the All Programs arrow => Open All Users => the Programs folder. Drag the My Computer icon from your desktop there. It'll a shortcut in that folder. That's how I did it
Jafo
Reply #10 Saturday, April 17, 2004 8:30 PM
Or you could have a proggy like ZtreeWin.....and manage your comp really well....
bordfryr
Reply #11 Saturday, April 17, 2004 8:37 PM
It put another My Computer and icon in All Programs, but still only opens the My Computer window.
bordfryr
Reply #12 Saturday, April 17, 2004 8:41 PM
ZtreeWin


Looks interesting, I downloaded the trial.
Jafo
Reply #13 Saturday, April 17, 2004 8:43 PM
Think of XtreeGold....but with no mem limits for logging long filenames. etc.....it's a great proggy....one of the 'must-haves'...
bordfryr
Reply #14 Saturday, April 17, 2004 9:13 PM
I tried adding a C: shortcut too, but that and My Computer just don't show any subfolders.
bordfryr
Reply #15 Saturday, April 17, 2004 11:51 PM
bUmP
SelfExiled
Reply #16 Sunday, April 18, 2004 3:16 AM
bordfryr, are you using a upgrade version of WinXP or a full version? Your system might act differently if it is a upgrade version.

1. This is the way that I did it. Double click any folder in the All Programs menu. It should open. Then click the up folder in explorer. This will take you to the root of the All Programs section. Leave that folder open.

2. Then, double click my computer on your desktop. Click the up folder when the window appears. This will take you to My Computer. Right click and drag THAT My Computer to the root folder of All Programs in 1. Release the mouse and choose create shortcut. This is how I did it.

You have to create a shortcut to My Computer. It won't work if the option given isn't to create a shortcut when you drag My computer. You can't drag the desktop My computer. It won't allow you to create a shortcut. Hope this helps.
Essencay
Reply #17 Sunday, April 18, 2004 7:53 AM
I'm using XP Home Upgrade here....I think you (bordfryr) are copying a shortcut to the folder instead of creating a shortcut in the folder and if you follow ChasUGC directions it should work....If you right-click drag and the right-click menu should pop up and the only options on it should be Create a Shortcut and Cancel...anything else and your dragging a shortcut
bordfryr
Reply #18 Sunday, April 18, 2004 8:27 AM
That did it!!!!!!!!!!
I think Essencay is right, I must have been copying a shortcut folder instead of creating a shortcut. Win XP Pro full version btw. Learn something new every day.
Thanks ChasUGC and all for the help. It's not a big thing, but it sure can be annoying when you can't get something like this working.

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