"My Music" & "My Pictures" disappeared from my start menu. anyone know how to put it back on?
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Comments
Geeky1University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
edited October 2004
Right click on the taskbar (not on a window or tray icon or anything, on the taskbar itself) --> properties --> "start menu" tab --> make sure the "start menu" option is selected and not the "classic start menu". Then hit "customize" --> click the "advanced" tab, and under the "start menu items" list, scroll down and you'll see options for the "my music" and "my pictures" folders.
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Straight_ManGeeky, in my own wayNaples, FLIcrontian
edited October 2004
Well, kinda (I do know how to put things into the start menu from within the Windows GUI for all versions sold to end user that have existed since Windows 95), but let's start with what version of Windows you have.
To get them back you do this:
You put shortcuts to those folders in the Start Menu folder. Windows has different places to keep that folder and in XP this can be one of three to five or more such locations on a normal XP box.
So, lets see what version of Windows you have, and please tell us if you know how to use Search(for 2000 Pro or XP) or Find (for ME, 98SE, 98, 95)to find (aka search or hunt for) the Folders and your user Start Menu folder and what a search for My Pictures shows that has the files you use in as far as the folder path to that folder. Please give us the full path for My Pictures from a search for that folder, and then a double-click of the folder results that show your files. From that info I can probably easily derive how to make shortcuts and locate and change the start menu for you. If not, I will ask for more info specific to fixing your problem.
In XP, both those folder trees and the start menu tree hide in subtrees of Documents and Settings, for instance. In 95, 98, or Me they hide in subtrees of Windows if you made those folders yourself (been done, and can be done). In 2000 I'd have to look that up, 2000 is the version I have used and fixed for folks LEAST, and I do not have a 2000 box right now. However, I have good docs for 2000.
I am using winxp pro and am pretty good at using a pc. I've never had this type of problem before though. It started when I added another hard drive and then I changed the drive letter from 'f' to 'd'. Here is a pic of what I am talking about. My Music and My Pictures should be right under My Documents. I have My Music,Documents, and Pictures on the non-os hd. All of those folders is just
D:\My *****. Right now, my pictures and music is showing up as "Ismael M's Music" and "Ismael M's Pictures" instead of "My Pictures" and "My Music" on D:\
I am using winxp pro and am pretty good at using a pc. I've never had this type of problem before though. It started when I added another hard drive and then I changed the drive letter from 'f' to 'd'. Here is a pic of what I am talking about. My Music and My Pictures should be right under My Documents. I have My Music,Documents, and Pictures on the non-os hd. All of those folders is just
D:\My *****. Right now, my pictures and music is showing up as "Ismael M's Music" and "Ismael M's Pictures" instead of "My Pictures" and "My Music" on D:\
Do what Geeky' said. That's your problem. Regardless of where those folder links actually target, you can get them displayed again on the start menu by following Geeky's instructions. You can use TweakUI (get it from downloads) to associate what target folders those type of link's point to.
the problem is that i already looked there and they are set to be showing in the customized tab.
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Geeky1University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
edited October 2004
Oh... then, uh... reinstall windows?
If you need them right now, that's what I'd do. That's how I solve almost all of my software problems. You may want to wait for someone to post a better solution.
yah...i usually just reinstall win...but i just did like a week ago don't really feel like doing it again, so if i can't get it to work right i'll just wait till i redo it again in a month or two
Its because you changed the drive letters the OS can't find it. It's probably looking for F:/ instead of D:/.
Go into the registry and go to the User Shell Folders (do a search). There you'll see where to link it (to vary depending on the user). If you want to always link it (for all users) go to Shell Folders and there you will see where the dirs are.
I'm assuming that you're a proficient user of WinXP. If not, I can help with more details.
If you're unsure, type in the old dir path (with the old drive letter) in the search bar for the registry editor and you will find out where to fix it (less elegant).
Now, just remember all the usual precautions when editing the registry. If you're not aware, go to the microsoft website and go into MSDN and they'll have a whole bunch of disclaimers for you.
Oh when you go into Windows Explorer do you see the My Documents link that is listed at the top of the list?
If you do then right click on it, do properties, and in the target field put in the new location of where the files are. That probably will fix the problem.
If it doesn't try a drive letter remapping program. Partition magic has that ability built in just for a reference program.
See attached for the properties dialog you should get.
How about unchecking those two options in the start menu options, applying changes, then go back and put a check mark back into those two and apply the change. That sometimes fixes the problem.
Comments
To get them back you do this:
You put shortcuts to those folders in the Start Menu folder. Windows has different places to keep that folder and in XP this can be one of three to five or more such locations on a normal XP box.
So, lets see what version of Windows you have, and please tell us if you know how to use Search(for 2000 Pro or XP) or Find (for ME, 98SE, 98, 95)to find (aka search or hunt for) the Folders and your user Start Menu folder and what a search for My Pictures shows that has the files you use in as far as the folder path to that folder. Please give us the full path for My Pictures from a search for that folder, and then a double-click of the folder results that show your files. From that info I can probably easily derive how to make shortcuts and locate and change the start menu for you. If not, I will ask for more info specific to fixing your problem.
In XP, both those folder trees and the start menu tree hide in subtrees of Documents and Settings, for instance. In 95, 98, or Me they hide in subtrees of Windows if you made those folders yourself (been done, and can be done). In 2000 I'd have to look that up, 2000 is the version I have used and fixed for folks LEAST, and I do not have a 2000 box right now. However, I have good docs for 2000.
D:\My *****. Right now, my pictures and music is showing up as "Ismael M's Music" and "Ismael M's Pictures" instead of "My Pictures" and "My Music" on D:\
If you need them right now, that's what I'd do. That's how I solve almost all of my software problems. You may want to wait for someone to post a better solution.
Go into the registry and go to the User Shell Folders (do a search). There you'll see where to link it (to vary depending on the user). If you want to always link it (for all users) go to Shell Folders and there you will see where the dirs are.
I'm assuming that you're a proficient user of WinXP. If not, I can help with more details.
If you're unsure, type in the old dir path (with the old drive letter) in the search bar for the registry editor and you will find out where to fix it (less elegant).
Now, just remember all the usual precautions when editing the registry. If you're not aware, go to the microsoft website and go into MSDN and they'll have a whole bunch of disclaimers for you.
Max.
If you do then right click on it, do properties, and in the target field put in the new location of where the files are. That probably will fix the problem.
If it doesn't try a drive letter remapping program. Partition magic has that ability built in just for a reference program.
See attached for the properties dialog you should get.
thanks,
ismael m