Can't Create Folders in Windows 10 Start Menu

I just recently bought a new laptop and it came with a free Windows 10 upgrade. Even though it was nice finally getting my start menu back, I seemed to be locked out of some traditional old features.

Two things I always like to do is move some of the current start menu shortcuts around and drop them into other folders and then create my own custom folders for my stuff. I can't seem to do any of this now, even though I drilled down to one of the folders within the File Explorer.

Is there a trick to this in the new OS? I've heard others having trouble with it as well.

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the heads up. I did find the the ProgramData location by navigating from within the Start Menu, but I'd forgotten about the other location in the Users folder. However, I'm still having some issues getting the complete customization I'm looking for.

In tinkering with the folders it seems that Microsoft has changed how Windows handles this. It appears that they allow only one folder in the Start Menu for each directory now and will no longer break things up into their subfolders (IE: everything will appear there, but they will be all dumped into the root part of the folder instead of having many levels you can drill down into from the Start Menu). I'm wondering why they changed that?

But that I can live with if I really have to (not like we have much choice right?), but I'm still having trouble moving a couple pre-installed shortcuts. I want to move/rearrange things like the calculator, the calendars, Candy Crush Saga and a large portion of other pre-installed programs still stuck here that don't appear in the normal Start Menu directory. Is there somewhere else new in Windows 10 these things are hiding? I simply must get more control over my setup's customization if I'm going to be able to enjoy Windows 10.

Thanks for any help! I'm sure this is just growing pains of a new OS, but still a bit frustrating. :confused

 

Follow-Up:

I just had a long back and forth with another tech guy on another site about the Windows 10 Start Menu. He actually tried to convince me the remaining shortcuts (which I can't access from the Start Menu root folder, like the calculator, calendar, metro app, etc.) are stuck and are not movable.

I find that completely unfathomable. I argued he simply was mistaken and was unaware of the proper method. Tell me he's wrong and that Microsoft didn't do this to us. I'm just looking to organize my Start Menu and get rid of some clutter (which is basic functionality dating back to like Windows 95). Can I really not do something so simple adjust the location of my calculator shortcut? Please say it ain't so MajorGeeks! :cry

 

Have you tried making new folders, and then creating new shortcuts in those folders? Then you can delete the old shortcuts.

 

Thanks for the reply. No I hadn't tired that just yet, as it hadn't occurred to me I'd have to go that route. I guess I'm really just struggling to understand the reasoning of why Windows 10 is handling the Start Menu so differently. Plus, I can't delete the old shortcuts to make way for the new ones as I'm unable to locate them on the HDD. But I'd rather just keep the originals and move them where I want them. Seems like a much more economical (and less messy) approach.

I'm also still left with several burning questions. Like where are these remaining shortcuts housed? They must be sitting in a folder somewhere right? If not, how/why would Microsoft put some in the Start Menu folder and others completely out of reach. And why did they pick such arbitrary shortcuts to make inaccessible (like the calendar or calculator of all things). Inquiring minds must know!

 

Have a look at this article regarding the Windows 10 start menu, it may enlighten you
Take note of the Update.

 

After clearing the recent items (if you don't, those shortcuts will also be found), double-click the C drive and search for *.lnk.
Change the view to details, click the Folder column and resize it. You'll see where the shortcuts are located.

 

Thanks for the link. I read it over and did exactly what it said. I navigated to the Application Shortcuts folder, created a sub folder there called apps and dropped several of the programs I didn't wanted listed into it (like Twitter, Candy Crush, OneNote and so forth). I shut down and restart but there is no change. Am I missing something here? I had high hopes this would work and can't see why this change would have no affect.

I tried this and searched for *.Ink in the search box in the root of the C drive (with hidden files show). It actually returned no matches. Again, am I missing something here? I'm starting to think my system has become self aware like Skynet.

There must be a way to bend this OS to my will, as I'm sure I'm not the only one with the desire to return to a simple baseline level of customization (and in what should be a VERY simple fix in my estimation).

Thanks!

 

I don't use Windows 10 which makes it difficult to try possible solutions.
I found the following on Microsoft's website.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...0/70521cb2-1987-4876-8381-6e9c1d291d30?auth=1

Also, have a look at the following programs.
Start Menu 10 - free.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/start_menu_10.html

Start10 - $4.99.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/start10.html

While not always ideal, having to resort to third-party software to fix Windows' shortcomings is nothing new.