I cant add .exe's to start screen

jamezb3

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Wanaka, New Zealand
When I try to add a shortcut to the start screen I get a message 'No such interface supported'
When I install a new program or game it wont add the shortcut to the start menu even if I have ticked 'add shortcut to start menu.
All games and programs run fine, I just cant add a shortcut.
Has anyone had this problem or know how to solve it?

Capture.PNG
 

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Is this the exact way you are trying to add it?

Screenshot (15).png
 

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From the message, you're not trying to add a shortcut. You're trying to add the actual EXE. You can't do that.

If you clicked "Add icon to start menu" then you need to go into the All Programs menu (the little down arrow in the lower left corner of the start screen), find the app in that list, right click on it, and choose Pin to Start.
 

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Yes that is the way I am trying to add it, right click and pin to start.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A97 Evo
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5890
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus IPS HDMI + 2 x ViewSonic VE710s-2
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1024
From the message, you're not trying to add a shortcut. You're trying to add the actual EXE. You can't do that.

If you clicked "Add icon to start menu" then you need to go into the All Programs menu (the little down arrow in the lower left corner of the start screen), find the app in that list, right click on it, and choose Pin to Start.

I probably didnt explain myself very well. My PC is not adding the shortcuts to the start menu, so if I click the arrow there isn't a shortcut there and if I try and add one by right clicking on an exe and clicking pin to start I get that error.

I am not trying to add an exe to the start menu, when you click add to start menu on an exe it automatically creates a shortcut.

This PC/Local Disk (C)/ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
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    Asus Home built
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    AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A97 Evo
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    Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
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    ATI Radeon HD 5890
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus IPS HDMI + 2 x ViewSonic VE710s-2
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1024
What program are you using to give you the Start menu? Perhaps the problem is there. I use Start8 on my Desktop (Win 8) and Classic Shell on my Laptop (Win 8.1) and Pin to Start Menu works correctly on both.
 

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No program just windows 8.1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A97 Evo
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5890
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus IPS HDMI + 2 x ViewSonic VE710s-2
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1024
I thought this might be a tricky one. I wonder where else I can go to get help with this? Any suggestions?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A97 Evo
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5890
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus IPS HDMI + 2 x ViewSonic VE710s-2
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1024
This is the right place for help with this problem. I'm sure one of the other folks here will have a suggestion.

I never use the Metro desktop so have no experience with it at all and since I have UAC turned off via the registry non of the Metro apps even work for me.

I'll see if I can find someone else to help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
I just right click on the .exe of that file and choose "Pin to Start" and there it is. The same happens with desktop shortcuts.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
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    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Hello Jame,

You might see if doing a system restore using a restore point (if available) dated before this issue started may be able to help.

Hope this helps. :)
 

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    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
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    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
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    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
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    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
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    Thermaltake Core P3
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    Corsair Hydro H115i
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    Logitech wireless K800
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
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    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I restored an image I have but unfortunately the problem must have already existed, I will keep trying and if I figure it out I will post here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A97 Evo
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5890
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus IPS HDMI + 2 x ViewSonic VE710s-2
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1024
I just right click on the .exe of that file and choose "Pin to Start" and there it is. The same happens with desktop shortcuts.

But what Start? If you are on the Metro desktop, what are you pinning it to? If you are on the regular Desktop, you don't have a Start menu since there is no Start button unless you added one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
I just right click on the .exe of that file and choose "Pin to Start" and there it is. The same happens with desktop shortcuts.

But what Start? If you are on the Metro desktop, what are you pinning it to? If you are on the regular Desktop, you don't have a Start menu since there is no Start button unless you added one.

Are you serious bro?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A97 Evo
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5890
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus IPS HDMI + 2 x ViewSonic VE710s-2
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1024
On "Metro" menu, of course, on the top left corner of it is word "Start" in large letters. "Metro" name was used by MS only at development stage and now they refer it as "Start" menu, so I used same reference. I do not use any replacement for old type Start menu as I did not use it much on Win7 either. To be truthful, I do not use many of apps either but use Start or "Metro" menu instead, so if a program does not place a tile on Start screen (like when using a portable program) I create one. I find it much easier to start programs like that than to loose eyesight by looking at small letters at the old start menu and I'm only one click and short scroll away from them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Thanks CountMike. At least now I understand. Can't help but I understand.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
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    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
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    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
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    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
I have managed to find a work around, I won't click solved because if you download or purchase apps from the store it doesn't automatically add the shortcut on the start menu.
Just search for the app that you have purchased in the start menu and right click and click pin to start.
I have just installed Battlefield 4 on my PC, to get the shortcut on the start menu I had to create a shortcut by right clicking and selecting send to desktop. Next you need to move the shortcut to (This PC/Local Disk/ProgamData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs) Folder then search in the start menu and you will be able to right click and pin to start.
I will keep looking for a solution to fix this but for now, I just hope this helps someone out until I find a permanent fix.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A97 Evo
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5890
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus IPS HDMI + 2 x ViewSonic VE710s-2
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1024
Jame,

That's how it works in Windows 8.1 by default now. Installed programs will show up on your "Apps" screen where you must "Pin to Start" if wanted.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2352-start-screen-pin-unpin-app-folder-drive-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/20705-apps-screen-add-remove-items-windows-8-a.html


In Windows 8, installed programs used to be automatically pinned to Start, but people complained about it since sloppy programmers also had a lot of the unnecessary "readme.txt" type files from the installed program pinned to Start as well instead of just a simple shortcut of the program. Since Microsoft couldn't control what the programs determined to be pinned to Start, they just opted to play it safe and have it go to the Apps screen for you to decide what to pin to Start instead.


Here's how to look at the modern "Start" and "Apps" screen in Windows 8.1 compared to the old Start Menu in Vista and Windows 7:

"Start" screen = Top white pin to area in the Start Menu

"Apps" screen = All Programs in the Start Menu


Hope this helps. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
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    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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    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
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    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Oh ok, but when I first installed it I could pin programs like aida64, and Virtualdub to the start menu, but now I cannot, unless I go through the steps like above.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition 965
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A97 Evo
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5890
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus IPS HDMI + 2 x ViewSonic VE710s-2
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1024
The way you manually created a shortcut was just a workaround that could be used to "Pin to Start". You should be able to "Pin to Start" any app you like to your Start screen at anytime. It just won't pin the app automatically to Start when you install the program.


Is it only .exe files that "Pin to Start" doesn't work for you?

You might see if using step 2 or 4 in the tutorial below, and....

....downloading and merging the .reg file for the listed .exe option in the tutorial below to restore it's default associations may help.
 
Last edited:

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
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    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
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