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modifying start menu

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  • T Offline
    T Offline
    teejayem
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Is there a way to modify the start menu to add a new "expandable button" under 'all programs'. This expandable button would function like the "all programs" button but when it shows the list of programs, it will only display the applications relevant to the user's job. I've searched around but i can't find anything.

    Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

    H L P D 5 Replies Last reply
    0
    • T teejayem

      Is there a way to modify the start menu to add a new "expandable button" under 'all programs'. This expandable button would function like the "all programs" button but when it shows the list of programs, it will only display the applications relevant to the user's job. I've searched around but i can't find anything.

      Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

      H Offline
      H Offline
      half life
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      windows is already compiled i think what your trying to do is impossible BUT here is a START [^] :) :) :)

      Have Fun Never forget it

      T 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • T teejayem

        Is there a way to modify the start menu to add a new "expandable button" under 'all programs'. This expandable button would function like the "all programs" button but when it shows the list of programs, it will only display the applications relevant to the user's job. I've searched around but i can't find anything.

        Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

        L Offline
        L Offline
        Luc Pattyn
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        You might tell us for which operating system you want this?

        Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles]


        Voting for dummies? No thanks. X|


        T 1 Reply Last reply
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        • H half life

          windows is already compiled i think what your trying to do is impossible BUT here is a START [^] :) :) :)

          Have Fun Never forget it

          T Offline
          T Offline
          teejayem
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          The link you provided has nothing to do w/ my question. I really don't care how to change the text on the start button. And besides, nothing is impossible! This link[^] shows how to add buttons/groups to the taskbar. I am already able to get a handle to the window in which i believe the "All Programs" button is added. I am just not sure which messages to send to get a button created.

          Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

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          • L Luc Pattyn

            You might tell us for which operating system you want this?

            Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles]


            Voting for dummies? No thanks. X|


            T Offline
            T Offline
            teejayem
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Hi Luc, the OS is Windows XP. Playing around with Spy++ i am able to get a handle to the window (i think it's "Desktop More Programs Pane") which the button might be added. I tried to get a handle to the window that gets expanded, but i haven't had much luck. If you'd like more information please let me know!

            Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

            1 Reply Last reply
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            • T teejayem

              Is there a way to modify the start menu to add a new "expandable button" under 'all programs'. This expandable button would function like the "all programs" button but when it shows the list of programs, it will only display the applications relevant to the user's job. I've searched around but i can't find anything.

              Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

              P Offline
              P Offline
              PIEBALDconsult
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Users who use the "Classic Start Menu" (as I do) don't have an "All Programs" button. :-D But accomplishing what you want is as simple as adding a directory to C:\Documents and Settings\userxxxx\Start Menu Then add the appropriate shortcuts.

              L T 2 Replies Last reply
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              • P PIEBALDconsult

                Users who use the "Classic Start Menu" (as I do) don't have an "All Programs" button. :-D But accomplishing what you want is as simple as adding a directory to C:\Documents and Settings\userxxxx\Start Menu Then add the appropriate shortcuts.

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Luc Pattyn
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                I'm not so sure about that. Seems to me the "All Programs" list is an aggregation of several lists, the current user's "Start Menu" being just one of them. :)

                Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles]


                Voting for dummies? No thanks. X|


                1 Reply Last reply
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                • T teejayem

                  Is there a way to modify the start menu to add a new "expandable button" under 'all programs'. This expandable button would function like the "all programs" button but when it shows the list of programs, it will only display the applications relevant to the user's job. I've searched around but i can't find anything.

                  Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  Luc Pattyn
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  I don't bother modifying the Windows generated lists, I simply create my own lists, but I don't show them in the Start menu. When your task bar is not locked, you can create new toolbars, using the task bars context menu. Create and choose an arbitrary folder, give it a simple name and load it with the shortcuts you want. It will show up next to the notification area. AFAIK this works on all versions of XP and Vista, and I expect it to work on older and future versions too. :)

                  Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles]


                  Voting for dummies? No thanks. X|


                  T 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • P PIEBALDconsult

                    Users who use the "Classic Start Menu" (as I do) don't have an "All Programs" button. :-D But accomplishing what you want is as simple as adding a directory to C:\Documents and Settings\userxxxx\Start Menu Then add the appropriate shortcuts.

                    T Offline
                    T Offline
                    teejayem
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    I tested this using the "Classic Start Menu". I dragged a shortcut to the directory you provided and all it did was add it to the top of the start menu. This isn't the desired result. What i'm looking for is to create my own root "Menu Item" (exactly like "Programs" in the classic menu except i want to name it something like 'my company') and when that menu item is hovered over, it will list all the programs (that i build programatically) for that employee to use. I've seen the start menu modified before. ex: Like when you buy a dell computer and use their system restore disks ; I've seen buttons on the start menu that say "Dell support", etc. Moreover, I've seen HP computers that have their own "HP Help" button right under the Windows help button.

                    Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

                    P 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • T teejayem

                      Is there a way to modify the start menu to add a new "expandable button" under 'all programs'. This expandable button would function like the "all programs" button but when it shows the list of programs, it will only display the applications relevant to the user's job. I've searched around but i can't find anything.

                      Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

                      D Offline
                      D Offline
                      DaveyM69
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      Windows uses 'special folders' that go in the start menu. These are stored in the registry under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID - you should be able to create your own. The items in the start menu are stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartMenu and StartPanel. I've never tried altering these myself but it might be a start?

                      Dave

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • T teejayem

                        I tested this using the "Classic Start Menu". I dragged a shortcut to the directory you provided and all it did was add it to the top of the start menu. This isn't the desired result. What i'm looking for is to create my own root "Menu Item" (exactly like "Programs" in the classic menu except i want to name it something like 'my company') and when that menu item is hovered over, it will list all the programs (that i build programatically) for that employee to use. I've seen the start menu modified before. ex: Like when you buy a dell computer and use their system restore disks ; I've seen buttons on the start menu that say "Dell support", etc. Moreover, I've seen HP computers that have their own "HP Help" button right under the Windows help button.

                        Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

                        P Offline
                        P Offline
                        PIEBALDconsult
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Other than being above the separator (and a different icon), it is exactly like the Programs submenu. And it's the "proper" way to do it.

                        teejayem wrote:

                        start menu modified before. ex:

                        That's part of why I wipe the hard drives of new computers; to get rid of such non-standard crap.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • L Luc Pattyn

                          I don't bother modifying the Windows generated lists, I simply create my own lists, but I don't show them in the Start menu. When your task bar is not locked, you can create new toolbars, using the task bars context menu. Create and choose an arbitrary folder, give it a simple name and load it with the shortcuts you want. It will show up next to the notification area. AFAIK this works on all versions of XP and Vista, and I expect it to work on older and future versions too. :)

                          Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles]


                          Voting for dummies? No thanks. X|


                          T Offline
                          T Offline
                          teejayem
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Hi Luc, Thanks for the reply. This certainly is a possibility (pending that i am not able to modify the start menu). The project that this is for is for the call center for my company. So i need to be able to guarantee a few things: 1. I need to be able to monitor the process's that are executed (before, i had my own "start menu" replica, and when someone clicked to start a program i would use System.Diagnostics.Process to execute the application and get the processID, MainWindowHandle). 2. I need to ensure that the toolbar on the taskbar can be visible (w/o rightclicking on the taskbar and click "new toolbar") programmatically. 3. I need to be able to dynamically create the list of folders/files depending on the user access (that information is stored in a database)

                          Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

                          L 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • T teejayem

                            Hi Luc, Thanks for the reply. This certainly is a possibility (pending that i am not able to modify the start menu). The project that this is for is for the call center for my company. So i need to be able to guarantee a few things: 1. I need to be able to monitor the process's that are executed (before, i had my own "start menu" replica, and when someone clicked to start a program i would use System.Diagnostics.Process to execute the application and get the processID, MainWindowHandle). 2. I need to ensure that the toolbar on the taskbar can be visible (w/o rightclicking on the taskbar and click "new toolbar") programmatically. 3. I need to be able to dynamically create the list of folders/files depending on the user access (that information is stored in a database)

                            Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Luc Pattyn
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            Hi, 2. you could do that once, manually. And I guess there is a way to do it programmatically, but I don't know right now. 3. no problem, the new toolbar in the end is just a folder somewhere, you can create/delete shortcuts in there programmatically. :)

                            Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles]


                            Voting for dummies? No thanks. X|


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