Do you have a favourite folder on your computer or laptop? Oh! What a silly question! I bet that everyone (including me) do have one.
Unfortunately, most of us, have the tendency to put every folders in “My Documents” folder (Windows XP) or “Documents” folder (Windows 7), piling it up.
When there’s too many folders in the above-mentioned places and we need a specific one among them, then we have to keep scrolling and scrolling and scrolling…. Till we find it.
Imagine yourself searching for an important folder in a rush hour. Isn’t it stressful? And by the way, who wants to live a stressful life?
I bet no one!
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could have a shortcut of these folders, somewhere?
Don’t despair! Because I’ve found 2 awesome way (by experimenting) through which we can add a shortcut to these so-called “important” or “favourite” folders to the "Start Menu".
Putting these folders on the “Start Menu” means quick access. Isn’t this amazing?
Till now you’ve only learnt about creating shortcuts of software installed on your computer or laptop. Now you’ll be learning to create shortcuts of folders.
Ready? Let us go through the steps together!
Note: The following steps will be the same for Windows XP.
1st Way (Easiest One)
1. You have to locate for the folder you need. To do that, follow the screenshot below. In my case, I’m locating a folder named “BOSHM Resources” which contains my university notes. It is located in “My Documents” folder on my laptop.
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2. I’ve now located the folder.
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3. Now, I’ll have to Drag & Drop it onto the Start Menu. If you don’t know how to Drag & Drop, then all you have to do is to click the folder once and hold the mouse button. Then Drag it to the “Start” button. Wait for the “Start Menu” to appear.
And…..the picture below is self-explanatory.
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4. After I dragged the folder on the “Start Menu”, there’ll be a thin black line (as demonstrated below). This determines where the folder will be placed. In my case, it’ll be placed under the “Snagit 11 Editor” shortcut.
Oops…my bad !….The word “Snagit 11 Editor” has been cropped to only “Snagit” in the callout. Never mind! I explained it.
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5. There you are! The folder is placed on the “Start Menu”! Mission Successful!
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2nd Way (Technical One)
This way will show you how to make the “Pin To Start Menu” option to appear not just for programs but also for every folders that exist on your computer or laptop.
You are now going to deal with Windows Registry. This is the most sensible part in your computer’s or laptop’s Operating System. It stores every bits of information that Windows needs to keep your machine functioning.
It needs only one critical error to make your Windows crash, and to some extent, loss of important data. This is why regular back-ups are needed.
Ready? Let’s go.
1. First, you have to download our Registry File. To do so, click the button below to go to the link and click on the “DOWNLOAD (276 B)” button. I recommend saving the file to your desktop!
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2. Right-click on the Registry File and select “Merge” option.
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3. After clicking on the “Merge” option. The following “Security Warning” window will open. Just click on the “Run” button.
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4. After clicking on the “Run” button, the “User Account Control” prompt window will appear. Just click on the “Yes” button.
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You’ve successfully added our registry key to your computer registry database!
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7. Now, let us test it. Press and hold the Shift button on your keyboard and right-
click any folder that you want to pin to start menu and you’ll see the option on the Start Menu!
click any folder that you want to pin to start menu and you’ll see the option on the Start Menu!
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WARNINGS!
- Never play with it for whatsoever reason. This is the work of a Technician or Engineer.
- I won’t be held responsible for any damage done to your machine (sorry for that) because I’m only imparting the knowledge which I’ve gained from experimenting.
- When doing any tweaks with Windows Registry (for which we’ve provided a tutorial), please follow every steps carefully because if you miss one, it’ll cause an error. This is Crucial.
- If you don't know what the Windows Registry does exactly, then refrain yourself from making changes to it.
TIPS!
- Always make a backup whenever you're modifying something in any Operating System.
- Whenever you encounter an error with your PC, feel free to ask me on my Facebook Page or leave a comment below and I'll happily help you troubleshoot it.
OVER TO YOU!
Did you go well with the tutorial? Did the tutorial helped you to pin folders to Windows Start Menu faster than before? Let us know your views in the comment box below. Please don't forget to share it also.
