Start Menu Folders

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.)



Figure 2. The Choose Which Folders Appear on Start link of the Start Settings of the Settings dialog box.

2. 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.)



Figure 3. The Choose Which Folders Appear on Start settings of the Settings dialog box.

3. 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.)
4. Close the Settings dialog box. Windows applies your settings automatically. (See Figure 4.)



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.