28,661 questions
Visual Studio Installer project is not installing the application shortcut in a folder
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Bob Zeidman
1
Reputation point
When I install the program I've developed, it used to create a folder called SAFE in the program menu and install the CodeSuite shortcut into that folder. On Windows 11, it no longer installs in the SAFE folder but directly into the program menu. How do I fix this. I upgraded to VS 2022, but that didn't make a difference. Here is a screen shot of the installer settings:
Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | User experience | Other
Developer technologies | Visual Studio | Other
5,455 questions
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![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(246.4, 86%, 33%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EDL%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
David Lowndes 2,640 Reputation points MVP2024-01-29T15:12:07.04+00:00 Have you checked the location in the file system, rather than just viewing the Start Menu?
The Windows 10/11 start menu doesn't reflect the actual directory hierarchy. For all users:C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. For your account:C:\Users\your-user-name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. -
Bob Zeidman 1 Reputation point
2024-01-29T17:34:33.9433333+00:00 I see it in under the SAFE folder in the file system. Why does it not show the SAFE folder in the Start Menu? I want users to find all SAFE apps in the SAFE folder in the Start Menu.
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David Lowndes 2,640 Reputation points MVP
2024-01-29T22:42:19.6866667+00:00 You'd have to ask MS why they made that design decision.
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Bob Zeidman 1 Reputation point
2024-01-29T22:47:48.6733333+00:00 I see some apps in folders. Do you know how some apps get in folders in the Start Menu and others don't?
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David Lowndes 2,640 Reputation points MVP
2024-01-29T23:15:24.91+00:00 My own programs shortcuts get shown in a folder - which is the parent of the installation directory where the shortcuts exist:
User's Programs Menu
..Vendor Name
....Application1 Name
......Shortcuts1
....Application2 Name
......Shortcuts2(dots because the final view doesn't show indenting with spaces)
The start menu shows all shortcuts under
Vendor NameI have no idea if Windows is using the directory hierarchy or some attribute of the installer to decide on what it presents - it could be a variety of things!
If you have a play and suss it out, let us know. -
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Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,446 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff2024-01-30T02:51:16.04+00:00 Hello @Bob Zeidman ,
Do you know how some apps get in folders in the Start Menu and others don’t?
I think maybe some old apps or portable apps are not included in the Start Menu.
I agree with @David Lowndes.
I helped add Windows tag, and I suggest you also ask this question on Windows Community.
BTW, for questions/feedback about Microsoft Visual Studio Installer Projects 2022 extension, you can directly ask here: Microsoft Visual Studio Installer Projects 2022 - Q&A.
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Bob Zeidman 1 Reputation point
2024-01-30T06:09:20.6133333+00:00 Thanks, everyone. If I discover a solution, I'll post it.
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