Start Menu Toolbar - Create on Windows 8 Taskbar

**IownAmoneyPit** · 17 Sep 2011

How to Create a Start Menu Toolbar on Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1

Information

This tutorial will show you how to create a handy Start Menu toolbar on the Taskbar in Windows 8 that will open your installed programs directly on the desktop to avoid constantly switching to the new Modern UI Start Screen to open a program.

Note

Some programs and apps will only work when using the default Start Screen (Example: Store shortcut).

1. Create a New Folder, and rename it with Start Menu.

2. Save the new Start Menu folder to where you want to keep it stored at.

3. Open the new Start Menu folder, create another New Folder and rename it with the name below.

Programs.{7BE9D83C-A729-4D97-B5A7-1B7313C39E0A}

Note

This is a combination of the two folders below.

(All users)
%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

AND

(Current user)
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

4. Right Click the taskbar and select Toolbars > New Toolbar and then:

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5. Navigate to and select the Start Menu folder, and click/tap on the Select Folder button.

6. The Start Menu toolbar is now pinned to your Taskbar.

Name: Start_Menu_Toolbar.jpg
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All Credit goes to Brink for the updated tutorial.

Related Tutorials

**Dave76** · 18 Sep 2011

Nice tut IAP, this will make a lot of people happy.

**Bill2** · 18 Sep 2011

I'm sure I'm missing something here but how does this toolbar show up in metro start screen?

**IownAmoneyPit** · 18 Sep 2011

Originally Posted by Bill2

I'm sure I'm missing something here but how does this toolbar show up in metro start screen?

It was never intended to show up in the metro start menu but is meant to be added to the Windows Explorer taskbar (see snip in step #5 and information dialogue).

Also the information and Note dialogue has been edited and clarified by the Admins/Mods for esthetics and grammar.

**Bill2** · 18 Sep 2011

Oh, I see. This'll be handy when one is flipping between the 2 UIs.

**vrosa** · 20 Sep 2011

That was one of the first customizations I had to do... I still cant imagine how to live without the old start menu

**Urthboundmisfit** · 21 Sep 2011

Clicking "Control Panel" in "new" start menu is unresponsive, no folder icon... :sad:

**Brink** · 21 Sep 2011

Originally Posted by Urthboundmisfit

Clicking "Control Panel" in "new" start menu is unresponsive, no folder icon... :sad:

Hello,

You might see if adding one of the shortcuts that you like from below into the hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu folder to add it into this Start Menu toolbar may work instead. They will work in Windows 8 as well.

Control Panel All Tasks List Shortcut - Windows 7 Forums

Control Panel Category View Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Forums

Control Panel Icons View Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**Urthboundmisfit** · 21 Sep 2011

Originally Posted by Brink

Originally Posted by Urthboundmisfit

Clicking "Control Panel" in "new" start menu is unresponsive, no folder icon... :sad:

Hello,

You might see if adding one of the shortcuts that you like from below into the hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu folder to add it into this Start Menu toolbar may work instead. They will work in Windows 8 as well.

Control Panel All Tasks List Shortcut - Windows 7 Forums

Control Panel Category View Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Forums

Control Panel Icons View Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Worked like a charm Shawn, thanks! Additionally, I was able to rt click the Control Panel Category View Shortcut and pin it to the Taskbar.

**Brink** · 21 Sep 2011

You're most welcome Urthboundmisfit.

Start Menu Toolbar - Create on Windows 8 Taskbar

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