Classic Shell: Forum

Some programs and their related files do not appear in Classic Shell. If I open, for example, PDF Xchange Viewer, it does not appear on the Start list, nor does the opened file.

Other programs which I use frequently that fail to appear are:
VLC media player
Photofiltre
Audacity
PDF Xchange Viewer

Is there any way to get these programs and associated files to appear in the Start List?

Many thanks.

You can pin them, or manually add them to the start menu if they dont appear under all-programs

Thank you very much, Jcee; worked perfectly

Classic Start Menu supports 2 types of Start Lists: Frequently used and Recently used. You can check first which type of list you are using by opening Start Menu settings -> Main Menu tab. Check what option is selected there, "Recent programs" or "Frequent programs".

1. The FREQUENT programs list counts how many times each program is started so the most used ones are shown at the top. This list can show programs started from the Desktop, Explorer and those opened from the Start Menu. But note that the data for this list is maintained by Windows. Classic Start Menu only builds this list based on the Windows data. So you must have the Windows setting called "Store recently opened programs" enabled for the Frequent list to correctly work. Right click the Taskbar -> Open properties -> Jumplists tab. Do you have this setting checked? You can also try unchecking it, click Apply. Then turn it on again and click Apply again. This will clear the list. Now try starting the programs that never show up.

(Note that Windows incorrectly calls this Start list "Recently opened" but in reality, they're most frequently used programs that Windows keeps a list of).

2. Classic Start Menu maintains its own Recently opened list. If you choose "Recent programs" on the Main Menu tab, then anything you open from the Programs folder or search will show up in this Start list. However, a downside of this list is that it can only track programs opened using Classic Start Menu. Unlike the frequent list which Windows maintains, it cannot track programs launched from Explorer or the Desktop.

With this clear, if your programs are not appearing satisfactorily in either of these automatic Start lists, then as Jcee said, you can pin them so they will always be present.

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Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Thank you for the comprehensive update; much appreciated and will try your recommendations.