Classic Shell: Forum

I want to customize the start menu bij removing links to My Documents, Configuration panel, etc. for all users but not for the administrator.


I thought this would be possible with the .admx files in the PolicyDefinitions.zip.

However, copying these to C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions gives an error when starting the GPO that the appropriate resource file cannot be found for the .admx files.
It seems these are not for Windows 2012, are there Window 2012 versions?

Thanks and regards,

Mark

You also need to copy the ADML files into the appropriate language folder like "en-US".

Great, that works.

I am using the Windows 7 style, can you also customize the "All programs" submenu?
A lot of the content of the first level appears there too plus a bunch more.

Thanks in advance.

No, the "All programs" submenu comes from the contents of your local Start Menu folders. It shows the shortcuts that are created by the installers.

So you have to customize that Start Menu folder by hand?
Do you happen to know wat folder that would be?
I tried Default and All useers without succes.

Pitty, that has effect on the administrator as well.

There are two All Programs folders which you can modify from File Explorer:
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
%programdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

_________________
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.

The first directory is a user profile location, this means you have to change this in each and every user profile?
The second locations doesn't seem to do much.

Most installers place their shortcuts in the second folder so they are accessible by all users. That's where you should put stuff you want all users to see.

The per-user folder is for programs that install for one user only and for users to manually customize their shortcuts.

Just to be clear, my issue is to get rid of sensitive programs/folders like the "administrative tool" and "system".
Am I right that I have to trim down each user profile for this?

Yes, for whatever folders are located in %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs, you must do it for each user's profile.

Instead of deleting files, you can simply set the hidden attribute on the folder (using the GUI or attrib.exe) so it no longer shows up in the Start Menu.

Also, if you modify %programdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs, it will affect all users.

_________________
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.

Pitty, that's a serious issue, any idea if this can be dealt with in future releases?
I am investigating whether Classicshell can be deployed in business situations.

By the way, it still leaves My Documents, My Pictures and Apps.

The entire folder structure, rules and the way shortcuts are created and where they are stored is all part of Windows. It is not related to Classic Shell.

Classic Shell's Start Menu only brings back the menu which presents/shows these program shortcuts like older versions of Windows. It is Microsoft who decides where the shortcuts go and what are the Start Menu directories.

That said, you can control whether the special folders like My Documents, Control Panel, Apps show or are hidden with Classic Start Menu Settings (or Group Policy). Look at this thread: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3374 to learn how to customize menu items & enforce them via Group Policy.

_________________
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.