Installed program not shown in Programs list in Start area

Question

I just installed a program and it is now running on my computer.

I want to create a shortcut for the desktop but the program is not appearing in the programs list (start/programs). How do I get it to appear there and/or create a shortcut for it?

Answer 1

Hi Waynec444:

First, create a shortcut to the main executable (.exe file) on your Windows desktop.  Browse to the .exe file in File Explorer, right-click and choose either Pin to Start to add a tile to your Win 10 Start menu or **Send To | Desktop (create shortcut)**if you also want to create a desktop shortcut. I've used the executable for my Firefox browser as an example.

If you created the desktop shortcut then go to your desktop and rename the shortcut to any name you wish (mine was originally named firefox.exe -Shortcut), right-click, and choose Pin to Start to create the tile.

To add the shortcut in your scrolling list of installed programs on your Start menu see Ed Bott's instructions in Windows 10 Tip: Add Custom Shortcuts to the Start Menu.

If that doesn't help let us know your Windows operating system and the name of the installed program you'd like to add to your Start menu.  You've posted your question in the Windows Vista board of this forum and support for this OS ended on 11-Apr-2017 - if necessary, we'll ask a Forum Moderator to move your question to the appropriate board.

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64-bit Win 10 Pro v1909 build 18363.1198 * Firefox v83.0 * Windows Defender v4.18.2010.7

Dell Inspiron 15 5584, Intel i5-8265U CPU, 8 GB RAM, Toshiba 256 GB NVMe SSD, Intel UHD Graphics 620

Answer 2

I was able to create a shortcut for my Desktop.  Thank you! However it still does not appear in the Programs section in the Start area. It DOES appear in the Control Panel but that is for uninstalling only.

I am using Vista. I know support for Vista has ended. I need to use Vista for the programs I have, some of which will not work in Windows 10. 

I do have Window 10 as a dual boot but only use it for playing videos that will not play in Vista. I also hate Windows 10.  It is so user-UNfriendly.

Answer 3

I was able to create a shortcut for my Desktop.  Thank you! However it still does not appear in the Programs section in the Start area. It DOES appear in the Control Panel but that is for uninstalling only....

Hi Waynec444:

See the ITProToday article How Do I Add an Item to the Start Menu for All Users in Windows 7 and Windows Vista. That article describes how you can copy and paste the desktop shortcut you just created into the the hidden folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu.

To unhide this folder go to Control Panel | Appearance and Personalization | Folder Options | View tab.  Under Advanced Settings, locate the section titled Hidden Files and Folders and select Show Hidden Files and Folders.  When you click the Apply or OK buttons you should be able to browse to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu in File Explorer and add your shortcut to this folder. Once you've finished be sure to go back and reset this folder option back to the default Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders so you can't accidentally delete any important system files that should remain hidden.  See the BleepingComputer tutorial How to See Hidden Files in Windows Vista if you run into any problems.

If that still doesn't add the program shortcut in the correct area of your Start menu then see instructions in the article How to Pin Items to the Windows Vista Start Menu [i.e., right-click your desktop shortcut and choosing Pin to Start Menu (if present) as I previously suggested, or drag and drop your desktop icon onto the Start button]. Pinning your shortcut to the Start menu this way (i.e., at the top of the Start Menu above the "All Programs" section) might be a better location than under "All Programs" if you plan to use your program frequently.

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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.9.0 * Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1-1.0.365

HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS