Start Menu Toolbar - Create on Windows 8 Taskbar

How to Create a Start Menu Toolbar on Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to create a handy Start Menu toolbar on the Taskbar in Windows 8 that will open your installed programs directly on the desktop to avoid constantly switching to the new Modern UI Start Screen to open a program.

Note   Note
Some programs and apps will only work when using the default Start Screen (Example: Store shortcut).



1. Create a New Folder, and rename it with Start Menu.

2. Save the new Start Menu folder to where you want to keep it stored at.

3. Open the new Start Menu folder, create another New Folder and rename it with the name below.
Programs.{7BE9D83C-A729-4D97-B5A7-1B7313C39E0A}

Note   Note
This is a combination of the two folders below.

(All users)
%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

AND

(Current user)
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs



4. Right Click the taskbar and select Toolbars > New Toolbar and then:
New toolbar.png

5. Navigate to and select the Start Menu folder, and click/tap on the Select Folder button.
Select_Folder.jpg

6. The Start Menu toolbar is now pinned to your Taskbar.
Start_Menu_Toolbar.jpg



All Credit goes to Brink for the updated tutorial.




 

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Nice tut IAP, this will make a lot of people happy.
 

My Computer

System One

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    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
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I'm sure I'm missing something here but how does this toolbar show up in metro start screen?
 

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I'm sure I'm missing something here but how does this toolbar show up in metro start screen?

It was never intended to show up in the metro start menu but is meant to be added to the Windows Explorer taskbar (see snip in step #5 and information dialogue).

Also the information and Note dialogue has been edited and clarified by the Admins/Mods for esthetics and grammar.
 

My Computer

System One

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That was one of the first customizations I had to do... I still cant imagine how to live without the old start menu :)
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
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    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
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    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
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Clicking "Control Panel" in "new" start menu is unresponsive, no folder icon... :sad:
 

My Computer

System One

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Clicking "Control Panel" in "new" start menu is unresponsive, no folder icon... :sad:

Hello,

You might see if adding one of the shortcuts that you like from below into the hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu folder to add it into this Start Menu toolbar may work instead. They will work in Windows 8 as well.

Control Panel All Tasks List Shortcut - Windows 7 Forums

Control Panel Category View Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Forums

Control Panel Icons View Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Forums


Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
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    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
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    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Clicking "Control Panel" in "new" start menu is unresponsive, no folder icon... :sad:

Hello,

You might see if adding one of the shortcuts that you like from below into the hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu folder to add it into this Start Menu toolbar may work instead. They will work in Windows 8 as well.

Control Panel All Tasks List Shortcut - Windows 7 Forums

Control Panel Category View Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Forums

Control Panel Icons View Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Forums


Hope this helps,
Shawn

Worked like a charm Shawn, thanks! Additionally, I was able to rt click the Control Panel Category View Shortcut and pin it to the Taskbar.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro, Win 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
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    Dell Inspiron 15 3542
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    Intel Core i5
    Motherboard
    Dell OEM
    Memory
    8GB single channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Transcend 720 Sata III 128gb SSD, (Win 7)
    Samsung ST1000L 1TB HDD (Win 8.1)
    Internet Speed
    Fios 50/50
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    FFox ExPLODEr
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    Avast free
You're most welcome Urthboundmisfit. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
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    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
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    Logitech MX Master 3
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    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
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    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Clicking "Control Panel" in "new" start menu is unresponsive, no folder icon... :sad:

Same here. I also had to create a new control panel icon.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
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    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
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    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
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    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
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i found a way to do the metro and the microsoft confidencial dont pop up anymore and work great great now i use the menu star all the time without the message Microsoft confidencial
 

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Clicking "Control Panel" in "new" start menu is unresponsive, no folder icon... :sad:

PC Settings on WCP from the "created" start menu also doesnt work :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
Desktop quick launch & Start Menu.jpg

Here's mine (CP 32-bit) with both a Start menu and the Quick-Launch toolbar.

Not the most elegant solution, but it'll do......

I like to keep the progs I use all the time in Quick-Launch, and those I use less
frequently in the Start menu, although I haven't actually installed much as yet.

I don't like a desktop full of icons, or a taskbar crammed with pinned stuff.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
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    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
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    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
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    Acer
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    8GB DDR3
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    Air-cooled
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    I/R cordless.
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    Borderline pathetic.
Works even better when you add the Control Panel expanded view to the start menu short cut. I also added the Control Panel Icon using Shawn's method. It's too bad the picture I uploaded won't show up. :think:

Screenshot.jpg
 
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    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
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WHY can't micrososft just include this like in the "desktop" app. this way it is there and you do not have to keep changing when you add new applications? wouldn't that be a lot smarter? This way you have either choice to use
robin
 

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    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
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    desktop/laptop
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    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
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    350,250
also the average user is not going to know how to do this (unless they become a member here :p) but seriously, windows 8 can be real frustrating.
It took my clients a heck of a time to figure out Windows 7, i cannot wait till they see windows 8!
robin
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    4 Windows 7 Pro Sp1- 4 Win 8 Pro, 1- xp pro sp3
    Computer type
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    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
    CPU
    desktop/laptop
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    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
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    350,250
WHY can't micrososft just include this like in the "desktop" app. this way it is there and you do not have to keep changing when you add new applications? wouldn't that be a lot smarter? This way you have either choice to use
robin

totally agree, Microsoft is just driving away geeks like this and most will prefer windows 7 due to being much easier to use. In my opinion windows 8 should have been a windows phone and tablet OS only in the first place. Don't understand why it's so hard for Microsoft to add the option to use the aero interface with a start button by defualt instead of the metro interface. Like when you first install it ask if you metro or the old aero on windows 7 style and you can change back and forth without having to mess with the system to just get a start button :huh:
 

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    Windows 7 Home Prenium 64bit sp1
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    me
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    AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 640 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.0GHz (OC) @ 3.6GHz
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    ASUS M4N68T-M V2
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    4fans and cool master hyper TX3 cpu cooler
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    Microsoft USB Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 (IntelliType Pro)
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    G400 Logitech
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    5.5mb
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    IE 10/Firefox
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    Comodo Internet Secuirty
That was a great tutorial!

I did something similar but I decided to roll my own menu since I have never found the whole start menu to be very useful. But I still don't like a lot of icon clutter on my desktop. First I created a folder called "More Programs". And attached it to the taskbar as explained in the original post. Then I went to the all apps screen from the Start Screen and right clicked one of the icons in a group I wanted included in my menu and I chose "Open file location".

Apps.jpg

Then I copied all the shortcuts in that folder:

ShortCuts.jpg

And pasted them into my "More Programs" folder. I made subfolders for each group of shortcuts.

MorePrograms.jpg

This is how it looks on the desktop.

Desktop.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
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