alpabetize programs list

I have a Compaq laptop with Win Vista Home Premium and a Compaq desktop with Win Vista Home Basic.

Could someone please advise on how to arrange all my programs in alphabetical order? Everything is in random order. I've already tried the right click on the programs list and on the laptop with Home Premium, "Sort by name" is available--but I can click that all day long and nothing happens. On the desktop pc with Home Basic, "Sort by name" isn't even listed in the menu. What am I missing here?

Thanks in advance for any ideas anyone can come up with.

 

bump

 

What OS are you using?
"scroll down and check Sort All Programs menu by name" doesn't appear in my XP Pro. :confused Bazza

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Thanks plodr. Just another difference between XP and Vista. Bazza

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Thanks plodr. I only just got a laptop with Vista Home Premium and was wondering the same thing. Got it now. There are lottsa differences between Vista and earlier. The most annoying was the "do you really want to install this" followed by "do you really, really want to do this" etc. CNET courses helped me get rid of that c&*p. Learning, learning - it's all I do anymore.

 

You DO realize WHY it does that, no?

Windows is JUST getting on board with the idea. *nix and Mac have done similar things for a long time.

Most people misundertand the concept's brilliance. You don't have admin accounts!! There, widest security hole in XP closed.

Disabling it is reopening the security hole.

 

Yes, Mada_Milty, you are correct, and yes I did realize this. My dilema with it though, was, all my computers are personal. We do not surf or add software to the work computers on hazard of death or dismemberment or something such as. Therefore, I am the administrator on my own computers and the warnings become redundant and tiresome. Disabling them gave me a feeling of power over a tiny portion of Microsoft (I know it is a false feeling and it is of false power, but it felt good at the time and I am into instant gratification if I can get it, Hahaha)

 

ahahah!! Yeah, instant gratification is sweet, for sure.

Sure, it's tiresome for everyday administrative tasks, (although, it can be configured to remember common tasks IIRC) but since you DO surf and install things on your home computers, what's to stop malware from running as an admin, and wreaking havoc?

 

Me Hopefully, and all the cleaner programs I use. I am paranoid about cookies and anything else that can collect info on my useage habits, but in the modern day of computerization, I am probably not hindering any phishing or pharming for my info by using Empty Temp and CCleaner and the others. Those who Phish can probably put together all I do in a heartbeat, so maybe I am phooling myself - ya think? Anyway, knock on my wooden skull - I have never had a Virus without knowing it immediately, and only one Trojan - in all my days on computers (this is many, as I started with computers when they started to be personal sized which is about twenty two or so years) I do not intentionally visit porn or gambling sites and I do not engage in internet hacking, and so have probably eliminated 99.9% of the possibilities of picking up malware. The software I use for cleanups probably does the other .1%. Vista is the first O/S of the Windows line which has actively done the redundant permissions thing, and for new users it is likely an excellent thing, but you know what they say......you pays yer money and you takes yer chances. (now I wonder who 'they' are)