Start Menu Folders

Written by Eric Wyatt (last updated July 23, 2020)

1

Back in Windows 8, Microsoft introduced a whole new Start menu. This Start menu was updated, again, in Windows 10. Just like before, you could access programs and other items for your computer. The biggest change that people noticed was a new minimalist layout and the inclusion tiles.

There is, however, another area that was introduced as part of the Start menu that is often overlooked. While it doesn't have a specific name (that I'm aware of), some people refer to it as the folder list. The folder list is located typically in the lower left of the Start menu. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The folder list of the Windows 10 Start Menu.

The folder list is nestled just above the Settings and Power buttons. While people may have seen them, they may not use them or know that the list can be quickly customized. Follow these quick steps to customize the folder list for your Start menu:

  1. Press the Windows key and type (without quotes) "Start Settings," then press Enter. Windows launches the Start section of the Personalization settings of the Settings dialog box. (See Figure 2.)
  2. Figure 2. The Choose Which Folders Appear on Start link of the Start Settings of the Settings dialog box.

  3. Click on the link that says "Choose Which Folders Appear on Start." This displays the options for which folders you can display in the start menu. (See Figure 3.)
  4. Figure 3. The Choose Which Folders Appear on Start settings of the Settings dialog box.

  5. Choose which of the nine folders you want to be displayed on the Start Menu. (Click on the toggle switch to the left of any of the folders.)
  6. Close the Settings dialog box. Windows applies your settings automatically. (See Figure 4.)
  7. Figure 4. The Start Menu with customized folders.

Now, regardless of the program you're in, you can quickly jump to the folder you want straight from the Start menu. If you find you no longer want a folder listed in the Start menu, repeat the process above and turn the folders off in step 3.

 This tip (13690) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

MORE FROM ERIC

Get a Sense of Your Storage

Over time our computers can become bogged down by items in the Recycle Bin or by temporary files. To help free up space ...

Discover More

Quick Screen Capture

Taking screen captures on your computer has been available on Windows computers for a while. Windows 10, however, allows ...

Discover More

Applying Color Filters

Windows 10 Ease of Access settings offer a wide range of settings that are aimed at helping users of all types use their ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Starting Applications Automatically when Starting Windows

Understanding the Task Scheduler is a great asset when you want your computer to do things automatically. This tip shows ...

Discover More

Using Command Prompt (CMD) to Change Your Computer Name

Computers have names that are used to identify them. Using Command Prompt (CMD) you can change your computer's name.

Discover More

Sharing Resources on a Network

Business or home networks can make efficient use of resources by sharing them. You can establish a print server and/or a ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven more than 5?

2020-06-13 22:20:18

John Mann

What I would really like is to have the old start menu back, which was very highly customizable, and provided a splendid way of organizing what went were, complet with folders and sub-folders. In a few instances I had short-cuts to the same application appearing in more than one start menu folder.
The present start menu is part of Microsoft's campaign to make Windows more and more user UNfriendly


Newest Tips