Power User Tasks Menu (Win + X) - Edit in Windows 8

How to Edit Win+X "Power User Tasks Menu" in Windows 8 and 8.1​

information   Information
This will show you how to add and remove shortcuts and groups to the Power User Tasks Menu using the easy to use Win + X Editor program for only your user account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Thank you to our member hb860 (aka: Happy Bulldozer) for creating the free Win + X Menu Editor program.

Note   Note
With "Win+X Menu Editor" you are able:
  • to add new items (shortcuts and groups).
  • to remove any item in Win+X menu.
  • to rename any shortcut in Win+X menu. (right click or F2)
  • to reorder Win+X menu items.

Note   Note
In Windows 8.1, a Shut Down menu has been added to the Power User Tasks Menu that can include the Sleep, Hibernate, Shut down, and Restart options.

If you shut down from the WIN+X menu in Windows 8.1, it will perform a full shut down even if you have Fast Startup turned on.


EXAMPLE: Power User Tasks Menu
​
Win+X.jpgPower_User_Menu_Windows_8.1.jpg​



Here's How:

1. Click on the Download button below, and download the WinXMenuEditorRelease.zip file for the free Win + X Menu Editor program, and save it to you desktop.
NOTE: When you click on the download button below to go to the winaero.com site, be sure to click on the gray download button at the bottom of the progams's description, but above the Comments section.
​
download​

2. Extract (drag and drop) either the x64 or x86 folder that is the same as your 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) Windows 8 to your desktop.
NOTE: Be sure to only extract the one that is the same for your Windows 8, or it will not work properly.

3. Open the extracted x64 or x86 folder, and run the WinXEditor.exe file.

Note   Note
This is a standalone exe file that only runs, and does not install on your computer.

If you like, you could move the x64 or x86 folder to where you like, create a shortcut of the WinXEditor.exe file, then with this shortcut Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.



4. You can now edit your Power User Tasks Menu to how you like with the free Win + X Menu Editor program.
NOTE: If you like, see the demo video below for more on how to use Win + X Editor.

5. When finished making the changes you want, click/tap on the Restart Explorer button to apply them.
NOTE: You can click/tap on the Restore Defaults button at the top left corner, click/tap and on Yes when prompted to restore the Power User Tasks Menu back to default.
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Related Tutorials

 

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You're most welcome. I'm glad that it worked for you. :)
 

My Computer

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Win+X Menu Editor for Windows 8 is updated!
>> version 2.0.0.1 <<
hko3m.png

gaopA.png


  • hashlnk is not required anymore, all its functions are ported into the Win+X Menu Editor source code
  • Numerous bugs are fixed, such as sorting bug or crash on empty Win+X menu
  • Improved "add a program" feature
  • New clean and useful UI with hotkeys, new icons
  • The ability to move shortcuts between groups
  • New feature - "Presets", which allows you to add various commands in Win+X menu, such as shutdown
  • options, calculator and so on.
  • fixed a bug with built-in items renaming

Video with new version:
[video=youtube;fn3W9waszvg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn3W9waszvg[/video]

Download link
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Arch Linux/Debian 7/Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 4520s
    CPU
    i3
    Motherboard
    HP 4520s OEM
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    4 GB
Thank you HB. Tutorial updated. :)
 

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
Thanks to you too :thumb:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Arch Linux/Debian 7/Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 4520s
    CPU
    i3
    Motherboard
    HP 4520s OEM
    Memory
    4 GB
I have implemented the most requested feature - add a control panel item.
I understand that not everyone knows all shell:::{GUID} commands of Windows 8 so I made UI.
0pF7g.png

2.5.0.1

  • Bug fixed: if you try to add a shortcut which is already in Win+X menu folder, then application will show you .NET framework error.
  • New feature - "Add a Control Panel item" allows you to add any control panel applet including hidden like "Network Connections" or "All Tasks(God Mode)".
  • Improved icons resolving for Win+X menu items
  • "Add a program" now not a button but drop-down menu.
  • Some very minor non-critical bugs are fixed


Download link
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Arch Linux/Debian 7/Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 4520s
    CPU
    i3
    Motherboard
    HP 4520s OEM
    Memory
    4 GB
Very useful. Thanks to all responsible.
 

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oRzjy.png

v2.6
New feature - "Add an Administrative Tools item" allows you to add any Administrative Tools item quickly and easy.

Download link
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Arch Linux/Debian 7/Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 4520s
    CPU
    i3
    Motherboard
    HP 4520s OEM
    Memory
    4 GB
Win+X Editor error

Hi Sergey,

I've some problems with v2.6

Screen-2013-05-23_21-18.png

with details:

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

Code: 
************** Exception Text **************
System.IO.DirectoryNotFoundException: Could not find a part of the path  'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative  Tools'.
   at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
   at System.IO.FileSystemEnumerableIterator`1.CommonInit()
   at System.IO.FileSystemEnumerableIterator`1..ctor(String path, String  originalUserPath, String searchPattern, SearchOption searchOption,  SearchResultHandler`1 resultHandler, Boolean checkHost)
   at System.IO.Directory.InternalGetFileDirectoryNames(String path,  String userPathOriginal, String searchPattern, Boolean includeFiles,  Boolean includeDirs, SearchOption searchOption, Boolean checkHost)
   at System.IO.Directory.InternalGetFiles(String path, String searchPattern, SearchOption searchOption)
   at WindowsFormsApplication1.Form1.GetAdministrativeTools()
   at WindowsFormsApplication1.Form1.Form1_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.18046 built by: FX45RTMGDR
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework64/v4.0.30319/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
WinXEditor
    Assembly Version: 2.6.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.6.0.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files/WinAero/WinXEditor.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.18046 built by: FX45RTMGDR
    CodeBase:  file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.18022 built by: FX45RTMGDR
    CodeBase:  file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.18045 built by: FX45RTMGDR
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Data
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.18046 built by: FX45RTMGDR
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_64/System.Data/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Data.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Core
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.17929 built by: FX45RTMREL
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.18046 built by: FX45RTMGDR
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
    <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>
When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

After pressing Continue the panel is empty :(

I'm using Windows 8 Pro x64 and of course the x64 version of Win+X Menu Editor.

Best wishes,
Chris
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo
Hi, I see strange thing in exception you posted.
I use the following code to retrieve AD tools items:
string AdinistrativeToolsPath = Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(@"%AllUsersProfile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools");

Can you check that directory exists or not?
Just press Win+R and put %AllUsersProfile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools into Run dialog box
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Arch Linux/Debian 7/Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 4520s
    CPU
    i3
    Motherboard
    HP 4520s OEM
    Memory
    4 GB
hb860 said:
Hi, I see strange thing in exception you posted.
I use the following code to retrieve AD tools items:
string AdinistrativeToolsPath = Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(@"%AllUsersProfile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools");

Can you check that directory exists or not?
Just press Win+R and put %AllUsersProfile%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools into Run dialog box
Click to expand...

Hi Sergey,

you're right the folder "Administrative Tools" doesn't exist inside "Programs" on my computer. I've moved it into "System Tools" to shorten the "All Programs" tree in start menu in StartIsBack.

I think it would be better to access "Administrative Tools" by its CLSID ::{d20ea4e1-3957-11d2-a40b-0c5020524153} which is independent of location.

Have a nice day,
Chris
 

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    System Manufacturer/Model
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