Start Menu Toolbar - Create on Windows 8 Taskbar

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

   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

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

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:

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

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

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All Credit goes to Brink for the updated tutorial.​

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Related Tutorials

---

• How to Add or Remove Toolbars on the Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Restore the Start Menu in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Open the Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Back Up and Restore Taskbar Toolbars in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Reset and Clear Taskbar Toolbars in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Pin or Unpin a App, Folder, or Drive on Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Open the Charms Bar in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Open the Apps Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add Quick Launch to Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Pin Recycle Bin to Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Allow or Prevent Users from Customizing Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a Control Panel All Tasks (GodMode) Toolbar in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[pricetech]

Thanks for the tutorial. I went the route of the Start Menu Toolbar except I made my shortcut for "Programs" within Start Menu, then placed it where all users could get to it if they wanted to put it on the taskbar. (nobody logs in as an administrator for normal use) I did find that as I added applications, they show up on the toolbar, so I haven't had to recreate it.
My preferred method since I don't want to use third party stuff just yet to modify the OS. Later, when I'm comfortable with the OS itself, I might consider it, but I prefer to remain a "purist" when first learning a new version.
Thanks again.

 

[n2gc]

Well I've managed to get it to work somewhat, but it doesn't look anything like the images above.
It goes right to the folder I saved it at. Must be doing something wrong, which I'm most adept
at doing..

I DID manage to get my taskbar icons centered as I like, so not all is lost.

 

[Brink]

Hello n2gc,

If you like, post back with a screenshot showing it, and we'll see if we can help figure out what's wrong.

 

[n2gc]

Thanks. It looks like the image on the first page, 3rd item, image.

 

[Brink]

Do you not have the small expansion arrow for the toolbar that opens like in the tutorial?

Try creating a new toolbar again, but don't do anything else other than using the location below in step 4 instead to see how that works for you.


%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

 

[n2gc]

Thanks. I've manged to bumble through it and now it opens like the older start menu, but it sits
over in the right corner. I notice that if I move it to the left corner like it use to be and center
the icons, then all programs show, but it shows the path to the entire folder. If I move it back
to the far right with the other task bar icons to the left corner, then place the cursor on
"Start Menu >>" it goes to "Programs". I click that and all the programs list like they used to
on a W7 start menu. I realize I'm not doing something right so I shall start again.

I have to admit this is sort of fun. Helps me keep making excuses for not going out and cutting
the front lawn..

I guess I could use Classic Shell, but don't really want to.

 

[Brink]

The Start Menu toolbar will just need to have something (ex: pinned program, another toolbar) to the right of it to prevent it from expanding across the taskbar. The dotted separator line of the other item pressed against the left side of the Start Menu toolbar is what keeps it from expanding, and allows you to have on the expansion arrows.

If you like, take a look at step 7 in the tutorial below for Quick Launch to help get a feel for it.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5069-quick-launch-add-taskbar-windows-8-a.html

 

[n2gc]

Thanks. That worked pretty good. Now it's where I'm used to and the icons are
centered. I still have to click "Start >>" then "Programs" then it lists. I can live with
that.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Well, you could create a toolbar with the path below instead to have it list directly if you like.

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

 

[jazzy79]

Thank you soo very much Brink!!

 

[harrisonaard1]

Alternatively, there's always the classic shell download, which gives the options of Classic ('97?), XP and Vista Start buttons and menu's. IMO, THE most annoying (missing) part of 8. Simply click on programs, then drag and drop your programs into the list of favourites. Much better than that stupid metro screen.
Classic Shell | Free software downloads at SourceForge.net is where to get it

 

[IML8]

Is there a way to add content to the resulting menu? For instance, some of my (x86) programs do no show up. Do their respective folders need to be "active" or something?

 

[Brink]

Hello IML8, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Sure. If you like, you could create a shortcut of the program's .exe in either folder location below to have them added to your Start Menu toolbar on the taskbar.

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

OR

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu​

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[IML8]

Perfect. Thanks, Shawn. I just wan't sure if it would muck something up or not. Now, if I could just learn how to replace the "Start Menu" toolbar title with a start button Icon, i would be happy. ????

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome IML8.

Well, if you like, you could use the free program Classic Shell to add a Start Menu with a Start button to use. See OPTION ONE below.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8528-start-menu-restore-windows-8-a.html

 

[IML8]

Thanks again, Shawn, but it's provided a certain degree of satisfaction to take this information and build my own personalized START toolbar from scratch complete with shutdown, restart and log off as well as all of my other commonly used command line executables, applications and so forth. I wouldn't have been motivated to do that without your input. As for the Start button, if there's a program that can do it then there's a hack that can do it, but I'm good with what I've got for now.

 

[jacatdilly]

I would rather try and personalize Windows, than have a third part program do it, as well.
I am not very familiar with this toolbar on the task bar. Noticed it in Win 7 & 8,
but it's a puzzle, to make it work into something.
I like the way the list expands like older start menus.
I tried different ways.

%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

%programdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Now I have two programs menus on taskbar.
But I really only want one.
Any help would be great.
I even tried and made a desktop shortcut programs folder, with the location
C:\Windows\explorer.exe shell:::{7be9d83c-a729-4d97-b5a7-1b7313c39e0a}
If I then try and make a toolbar with this address, it said not valid?

MS makes us work harder, by pushing us to learn new ways.
Do you, or any other of the millions of smarties out there,
know of the best, simplest way to have a combined toolbar programs menu,
that works, without a third party program?
A challenge to all, myself included!

ps. I have tried Classic Start Menu. I customized to the bone. Deleted everything but one entry - programs.
This is all I need, but is a waste to have C.S.M program, if MS has it still in system.

 

[Dragon Drop]

Actually, the two different Start Menu folders are

"%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"

"%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"

The first is the ALL-Users Start Menu; the second is YOUR User Start Menu. Each one is incomplete -- each has some contents that the other doesn't have. But the toolbar created as above with the CLSID-name "Programs.{7BE9D83C-A729-4D97-B5A7-1B7313C39E0A}" has all the contents of BOTH -- provided you DO use it as a toolbar. If you make a shortcut to "C:\Windows\explorer.exe shell:::{7BE9D83C-A729-4D97-B5A7-1B7313C39E0A}" it will open a so-called "Programs Folder" which looks like another Start Menu folder, but is also incomplete! Given that the CLSID is apparently the only way to make a complete toolbar of all programs, it's strange that it isn't better documented and better known. Maybe its original intended purpose was just to be used internally by the Windows system.

 

[jacatdilly]

Hello.
Thank you very much for updating this Brink.
It is now working great as one menu.
If I actually go to that folder and open it, not that I need to anymore,
it still shows everything. Just right click and pick "open" or "open all users"
Can do same in the toolbar menu as well. Works very similar to Classic Shell Start Menu.
Super
Now if only it could instead of being a toolbar menu, it could open up expanding in Win x menu.
But I read that it is difficult, as it is hard coded.
Thanks again.
Well worth the wait.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Jacatdilly,

Well, actually you could use the method in the tutorial below to add a shortcut of the Start Menu into the WIN+X menu if you like.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5607-power-user-tasks-menu-win-x-edit-windows-8-a.html