@andhapp: @aeronaut: @KMT:
Avoiding that right-clicking the menu and choosing "Sort by Name" is exactly what this tip is about. If you don't mind right-clicking, etc., then you don't worry about editing the Registry. If you're continually installing new programs and shuffling them around in different folders of the All Programs menu, then all the "Sort by Name" commands gets tiring very quickly. That's what this Registry hack is for.

I use Launchy now, but I still sort my All Programs menu for the other non-Launchy users of my computer.

Posco Grubb

Um, just going to note, andhapp's method is what the link to "manually" in the article was referring to, the problem with that is you have to do it every time your start menu changes.

fireball87

If you follow the directions exactly, and back up the registery folder for "MenuOrder", it is completely safe.

Schooler90

@andhapp: Could you please clarify WHERE I should right-click to get that option? OH! I see it now! It actually says "Sort by Name." (I tried right-clicking in several places before I noticed that!) Thanks!

This article really piqued my interest, because I am one of those constantly doing it manually. But the part about screwing things up if you don't know what you're doing (which i don't) gives me pause. ANDHAPP's method is much safer, and (for me, at least) much easier! THANKS!!!

KMT

@andhapp: Perfect! Works fine for me. Thanks.

aeronaut

You can do that yourself when you install. When it asks about the Program group, just do something like:

ExistingFolder\ProgramYouInstalled.

So if you have a utilities folder, you can just use that for yoru existing folder and it will install under that.

holymogwai

I've always though that there should be a program that automatically categorises your programs. My Start Menu goes: Accessories, Audio, Design and Programming, Games, Internet etc etc.

It should be easy to automatically put Kaspersky, McAfee, Norton, Panda, AVG under Security, Adobe stuff under Design etc.

tisgrandupnorth

Who bothers to sort any more with Launchy? I used to keep my start menu sorted and categorized in a nice, tight hierarchical structure, but you guys are making me a convert to the "pile don't file" mantra.

wffurr

Or you can just right click and "sort alphabetically" if you do not wish to mess about with the registry.

andhapp

I'll throw it into my list of REG hacks, though its pretty useless to me considering i use bbclean which already sorts the start menu alphabetically... that said looking through the config files i really can't find any other ways to sort it.

That said, in my opinion its light and stable enough (crashes less then explorer in xp for me), and has a few features I like. So I'll propose it as an alternative thats probably just as safe as registry hacking... specially if you like the blackbox style (configuration by text file, no desktop icons, and a bunch of other crazy changes for windows only users). I've been using it for about a month and a half, and saw this as a notable place to mention it.

[www.lostinthebox.com]

fireball87

I've always wondered why it should be a hack anyways, and not just "the way"

holymogwai

What they say about damaging the operating system by changing the registry only applies when you are changing HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. The most you could do changing HKEY_CURRENT_USER (this hack) is damage the user account.

JBlige

@Posco Grubb: Ah, now I see. I would save two clicks a week with the registry hack. Good point.

aeronaut