How to Pin a Folder to the StartMenu !

[hackerman1]

HOW TO PIN A FOLDER TO THE TOP OF THE START MENU IN VISTA:

1. Make a New Folder, as it might be a good idea to have all your Pinned Folder-Shortcuts in a separate folder.

2. Find a (small) EXE file and copy it to your New Folder. You can use any file, i used cleanmem.exe because it´s only 28k.

3. Go to your New Folder.

4. Right click the EXE file and select "Create a shortcut" .

5. Right click the shortcut, select "Pin to Start Menu".

6. Right click the shortcut created In the start menu and select "Properties" .

7. Change the "Target" to the path of the folder you want to "Pin".

8. If you want to "Pin" another folder then repeat steps 4-7.

The icon of the first "Pinned" Folder in the Start Menu, changes to the normal Folder-Icon when you make a second "Pinned" Folder.

So if you want eg. 5 "Pinned" Folders than make 6, and delete the last one when no. 5 has changed it´s icon.

The trick above can also be used to "Pin" other filetypes, eg. BAT-files.

[HappyAndyK]

There is a way to do it using a registry hack : How To Add Pin To Start Menu to Folder right click context menu

But, yes your approach was new to me, and it sure works too !

[whs]

I have a different method:
1. Make a shortcut of any folder on the desktop.
2. Drag this shortcut first to the Windows Orb (to open the start window) and then continue dragging the shortcut into the left pane of start and drop it.
Voila!

[HappyAndyK]

^ Now thats so simple !

[whs]

Simple does it! I am too lazy for the "geeky" solutions - LOL

[Corrine]

I prefer to use the "desktop toolbar" and have the icons on my desktop hidden. I have tools and other resource shortcuts arranged in appropriate folders and easily a click away without having to search the actual desktop or other menu.

Since the "folder" icon is pretty blah, I right-click the folder, select properties > customize > change icon and select an image that represents the folder contents.

[whs]

Right Corinne, The start menu is not a good place for folders. It gets easily overloaded. I use the AppLauncher in my sidebar. By hovering over the folder, AppLauncher tells you what it is - and I know anyhow by the position in the AppLauncher window.

[HappyAndyK]

I used to use the desktop toolbar in XP. Used the AppLauncher till very recently on Vista...



... But these days I just have all my regualr program icons set on the qlb.

[whs]

Originally Posted by HappyAndyK

I used to use the desktop toolbar in XP. Used the AppLauncher till very recently on Vista...



... But these days I just have all my regualr program icons set on the qlb.

That's OK for programs but does not work for folders (I think). That's why I like the AppLauncher. It is a mixed bag.
But another good method is to put all the folder shortcuts into one folder on the dektop and push this (repository) folder all the way into the top of the screen. That makes another taskbar on the top. By adding and deleting to and from the repository folder (which is the only one that stays on the desktop) you can manage the entries of this taskbar.


.

[dmudgal]

i'm more likely to use the desktop toolbar...