How can I add shortcuts to the Windows 7 start menu?

For some reason, it is impossible to add any new shortcuts to the start menu in Windows 7. I always get a message ‘Windows can’t create a shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead?’ I tried to select ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives’ in the Folders and search options > View and to get to the start menu from ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu but this does not help.

How do you manually add a shortcut to the start menu?

Right click on the file and select Send to Desktop (create shortcut) and then drag the shortcut on the desktop to the Start menu.

You should not create shortcuts or change any files in the Programs area unless you are troubleshooting.

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Sorry . I don’t accept that the «Pin to start menu» option is a substitute for being able to manually add a shortcut to the start menu. Being able to pin something is useful, but it doesn’t cover many of the use cases for manually adding something. First, when you pin something, it will always appear in the same place. So there’s no way to «pin» something into your Accessories\System Tools folder. Second, there is no way to «pin» something into the All Users start menu. If you have 5 people who need to access a program (like a family where 1 is typically the admin) then you have to login as each and pin it separately. Or am I supposed to just tell my 7-yr-old daughter to go hunt down the EXE for the app I installed and pin it herself?

I completely appreciate why Microsoft wants to keep average users from messing with their start menu. But there should be a way to disable this protection on a per-user basis or at least relegate it to a warning that you can only override as an admin user. It’s kind of silly to have the only solution as «copy it to your desktop then copy it to the folder where you want it». That makes just as much sense as having to copy/paste everything through Notepad when you want formatting stripped off.

Organizing the folders and files in the Start/All Programs section is not a mystery and is fully supported.

There are 2 locations where the All Programs folders are kept.

Click Start, right click All Programs and select either Open or Open All Users.

Open is where all of the folders and files are kept that appear only in the logged on users all programs folders.

Open all users is where the programs that appear in every users all programs folders are located.

Usually, the only programs that are in an individual users folder is if that user is an administrator and they installed a program and selected to not make that program available to other users on the computer.

Once you go to that location in Windows Explorer for these folders and files, you can organize them any way you wish, just as you would any other folders.

How can I add shortcuts to the Windows 10 start menu?

I create a shortcut on the desktop and would like to put it on the start menu.

Please advice how to do it on windows 10.

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Welcome to Microsoft Community.

I understand your inconvenience. We will assist you with it.

Follow the steps to pin the folder in start menu.

1. Right click on the folder/shortcut created.
2. Click on Pin to start option.

Your folder/shortcut created will be add in start page.

Hope it helps. Do let us know if your issue is resolved. For any further information, feel free to contact us.

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Thanks for your help however the «Pin to start» on the file that I saved on my desktop is not available.

I use the «Remote desktop connection» and saved the connection with all the connection details as file on my desktop.

In windows 7 I just drag it to the start menu and it show on it.

Please advice how to do it on my rdp file.

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I have the same issue. Want to pin a saved RDP profile to the start menu but cannot see an obvious way to do so.

The answer above does not help.

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Thank you for being part of the Windows 10 family.

There is some features through which you can customize Start menu.

Change how the Start menu works:

To change Start menu settings, right-click a blank area of the Start menu and choose «Properties.» The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window will appear. From here, you can navigate to the Start tab and switch to the Start screen and configure various Start menu features.

Get back to us if you need any further assistance on Windows related issues and we will be glad to help.

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Thank you for being part of the Windows 10 family.

Sorry for inconvenience, But there is some features through which you can customize Start menu.

Change how the Start menu works:

To change Start menu settings, right-click a blank area of the Start menu and choose «Properties.» The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window will appear. From here, you can navigate to the Start tab and switch to the Start screen and configure various Start menu features.

Get back to us if you need any further assistance on Windows related issues and we will be glad to help.

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Windows start menu shortcuts

Win , then type e.g. command , then hit Enter

Start Windows Command Prompt via Start Menu. Searches from installed applications.

Win + R then type e.g. cmd , then hit Enter

Start Windows Command Prompt via Start Menu R un Command. Needs exact applications name.

Win + R , type cmd , press Ctrl + Shift + Enter

Start Command Prompt as Administrator

Win + R , type control , Enter

Access Control Panel via the R un command; or any other application

Win + R then type e.g. control printers , then hit Enter

Access Classic Printer Settings via Control Panel

Win + R then type e.g. ms-settings: , then hit Enter

Access new Windows Settings Menu (or press Win + I )

Win + R then type e.g. ms-settings: display , then hit Enter

Access Windows Settings for Display (or Win + I , then type, then hit Enter )

2. Run Commands — Folder Locations

Win + R , then documents

Open Documents Folder

Win + R , then videos

Open Videos folder

Win + R , then downloads

Open Downloads Folder

Win + R , then favorites

Open Favorites Folder

Win + R , then recent

Open Recent Folder

Win + R , then pictures

Open Pictures Folder

Win + R , then e.g. c:

Open C-Drive in Explorer

3. Run Commands — System Configurations

«For all commands below, press Win + R , then type e.g. gpedit.msc , then hit enter
cpl stands for C ontrol P ane l Item
msc stands for M icrosoft S ystem C onfiguration»

Dev ice Management

Comp uter Management including System Tools, Storage, Services and Appliations

Disk Partition Manager

Component Services ( D etailed Com ponent Configuration)

G roup P olicy Edit or

Local Se curity Pol icy Settings

Local User and Groups

Shared Folders ( F ile S haring Management)

For create User account

4. Run Commands — Classic Control Panel Properties

«For all commands below, press Win + R , then type e.g. control keyboard , then hit Enter .
These are mostly classic legacy menus and many of them are getting replaced with new Settings Menu»

Classic Control Panel

Classic File Explorer folder properties

Classic Keyboard properties

Classic Mouse properties

Classic Printer properties ( ms-settings: printers for new settings)

Classic User Account Manager properties for current user

Classic User Account Manager properties for all users

Cassic Administrative Tools

Classic System Information ( ms-settings: about for new menu)

Classic App lication Wiz ard aka Program and Features ( ms-settings : apps for new menu)

Classic Power Configuration ( ms-settings : powersleep for new menu)

Classic date and time properties

Classic Regional Settings ( Int ernationa l )

Classic Sound Properties ( M ulti m edia Sys tem Settings)

Classic Security Center ( W indows S ecurity C enter UI )

Classic Internet Properties ( In tern et Control Panel)

Classic System Properties

Classic Windows Firewall Properties

5. Run Commands — Windows Utilities

For all commands below, press Win + R , then type e.g. regedit , then hit Enter .

Windows Services (local)

Classic System Configuration Utility

Classic Remote Desktop ( M icro s oft T erminal S ervices C lient)

Log Off Windows (without confirmation!)

Shuts Down Windows (don’t try unless you are ready to shutdown)

6. Run Commands — Other Windows Tools

Create a shared folder Wizard

Direct X Troubleshooter

Clean Manager — Disk Cleanup Utility

Clipboard Viewer (not available after Windows XP)

Windows Installer Details

On Screen Keyboard

Windows Version ( shows your windows version )

Volume Serial Number for C:

Bluetooth Transfer Wizard

Driver Verifier Utility

Mig ration Wiz ard — Files and Settings Transfer Tool

File Sig nature Verif ication Tool

Malicious Software Removal Tool

Private Characters Editor

7. Windows Built-in App Access Command Shortcuts

For all of the below — press Win for Start Menu, then start typing, then press Enter

Start Windows Alarm App

Start Windows Calculator App

Start Windows Calendar app

Start Windows Camera App

Start Windows (Classic) Control Panel

Start Windows Edge App

Start Windows GetHelp App

Start Windows Groove Music App

Start Windows Mail app

Start Windows Map App

Start Windows Messaging App

Start Windows Mixed Reality Portal App

Start Windows Office Hub App

Start Windows OneNote App

Start Windows People App

Start Windows Photo App

Start Windows Print 3D App

Start Windows Skype App

Start Windows Sticky Notes App

Start Windows Store App

Start Windows Voice Recorder App

Start Windows Weather App

Start Windows Whiteboard App

Start Windows Your Phone App

8. Windows Settings

8.1 Windows Settings — System

System Settings — Display

System Settings — Sound

System Settings — Sound Input and Output Devices

System Settings — Notifications

System Settings — Power & Sleep

System Settings — Battery

System Settings — See which apps are affecting battery life

System Settings — Storage

System Settings — Multitasking Settings when working with multiple windows

System Settings — Tablet Mode Settings

System Settings — Enable or disable Remote Desktop

System Settings — About this PC ( control system for classic settings)

System Settings — Nightlight Settings

System Settings — Advanced Display Scaling

System Settings — Focus Assist

8.2 Windows Settings — Devices

Printers & Scanner Settings ( control printers for classic settings)

Your Phone Settings

Pen & Handwriting Settings

8.3 Windows Settings — Personalization

Personalization Settings — Colors

Personalization Settings — Taskbar

Personalization Settings — Fonts

Personalization Settings — Themes

Personalization Settings — Lock Screen

Personalization Settings — Start Menu Settings

Personalization Settings — Startup Apps

8.4 Windows Settings — Time & Language

Date and Time Settings

Speech language settings

8.5 Windows Settings — Ease of Access

Ease of Access — Display

Ease of Access — Magnifier

Ease of Access — Narrator

Ease of Access — Closed Captioning

Ease of Access — Keyboard

Ease of Access — Mouse

Ease of Access — Audio

Ease of Access — Hiugh Contrast Settings

8.6 Windows Settings — Account

Access Work or School

Family & Other Users

Sync your Settings

8.7 Windows Settings — Updates & Security

Windows Update Settings

Windows Security Settings

Windows Backup Settings

8.8 Windows Settings — Application Settings

Apps Settings — Default Aspps

Apps Settings — Video Playback Settings

Apps Settings — Power & Sleep Settings ( powercfg.cpl for classic menu)

Created by max on 1/12/2021. Last updated by admin on 1/12/2021

22 Comments for ‘(Windows) — Windows Run Commands, Settings, and Start Menu Shortcuts ‘ [post comment in main thread]

Comment #22 by Mike Sep 23, 2020 at 11:12 am Reply

Thanks for this, as a sysadmin for linux/IBMi I have avoided windows sysadmin stuff for years. This helps with the basics I need to do my job, thanks!

Comment #21 by sudakar Sep 12, 2017 at 05:06 pm Reply

today i got the full meaning for IP i think its related to human also i am very thankfull to quora

Comment #20 by Bhasker Raj Feb 21, 2017 at 05:11 pm Reply

Your site is excelleant and all the information is available at finger tips. I was lucky to come across your site, when I was searching for office 2010 keyboard short cuts. Compliments to your efforts to put all the useful information in your website. A. S. Bhasker Raj Bangalore India

Comment #19 by ANURAG DWIVEDI Feb 22, 2016 at 07:41 am Reply

Comment #18 by Asim Jan 25, 2016 at 01:21 pm Reply

I don’t think the ‘clipbrd’ works in post Win 7.

Reply #1 admin Jan 26, 2016 at 08:00 pm

thanks; i made a note. Yes, the Clipboard Viewer no longer exists.

Comment #17 by SHurley Jan 6, 2016 at 07:39 am Reply

As a beginner, I wasn’t sure what control panel meant. Is it a key somewhere? I was trying to use the control desktop shortcut but didn’t know what buttons to push.

Comment #16 by Bikash Oct 20, 2015 at 02:25 am Reply

It is really helpful collection: thank you !! :*

Comment #15 by shi lou toge Sep 21, 2015 at 09:49 pm Reply

It is a big help. Thanks.

Comment #14 by yogaraj v Aug 1, 2015 at 01:54 am Reply

those shortcuts are very important for a system administrator position thanks

Comment #13 by SaddamHusain Jul 15, 2015 at 09:00 am Reply

Vary vary Thank you

Comment #12 by harikrishnan Jun 17, 2015 at 06:06 am Reply

mspaint paint (if installed)

Comment #11 by Ravi May 8, 2015 at 02:35 am Reply

thanks very useful

Comment #10 by Jeremiah Apr 23, 2015 at 09:30 pm Reply

There are two calculators

Reply #1 admin Apr 24, 2015 at 03:17 pm

Comment #9 by gvdnet Mar 24, 2015 at 11:17 am Reply

more helpfull in my job works

Comment #8 by Channa Mar 16, 2015 at 01:01 am Reply

Very useful good to have various types of shortcuts in a one webpage Thanks

Comment #7 by Ajinkya Dhuri Sep 25, 2014 at 09:32 am Reply

very nice commands

Comment #6 by vineet tyagi Sep 15, 2014 at 04:01 am Reply

Comment #5 by Muhammad Zahid Sep 3, 2014 at 12:59 am Reply

Very Nice Work. It’s so good.

Comment #4 by Ashok Aug 26, 2014 at 01:41 am Reply

It really sped up my work..

Comment #3 by aruns Jul 15, 2014 at 08:50 am Reply

so helpfull for my job and enhance my skills.