MTOW
7th Mar 2007, 08:12
My problem: I’ve just installed a new version of WinXP with SP2, and have a small problem with the Start Menu.
The recently used programs won’t display in the Start Menu.
I’ve looked online (both the Microsoft site and a couple of computer forums) and yes, the problem has been encountered by others. However, none of the answers I found fixes the problem.
Going Properties/Start Manu/Customise/Advanced doesn’t fix it (unless there’s some selection within the final ‘start manu displayed’ menu that will fix it). There also isn’t a “List my most recently opened documents” check box where the Windows help page says there should be in the Advanced area.
Whatever I do, I still just get a white (blank) field above the Start button and All Programs prompt. I can drag program icons into the field above the recently used programs field (i.e., where the Email and Explorer program icons go if you select them), but the recently used programs field stubbornly remains blank.
Some answers online suggest not using shortcuts to open the programs, but the ‘root’ program icon itself – but I’ve even gone right into program Files/Microsoft Office/Office 11/Winword.exe and saved the document opened – still no result.
I suspect the answer will be an amendment to a registry entry. A couple of the answers given online give registry addresses to alter, but didn’t go on to say what to do having reached the applicable page. Everyone giving such an answer assumed the reader has a far deeper knowledge of registry editing than I have. They are all dating from around 2004 as well, so asking for clarification probably won’t get a quick answer.
I’ve tried using TweakUI, but I’m presented with a blank screen in its Task Menu/Start Bar window and I can’t work out how to add something to that blank window.
It’s not a huge problem. I’m learning to live with it, but I would prefer it to be resolved and have what I’m used to. Any advice would be appreciated.
The recently used programs won’t display in the Start Menu.
I’ve looked online (both the Microsoft site and a couple of computer forums) and yes, the problem has been encountered by others. However, none of the answers I found fixes the problem.
Going Properties/Start Manu/Customise/Advanced doesn’t fix it (unless there’s some selection within the final ‘start manu displayed’ menu that will fix it). There also isn’t a “List my most recently opened documents” check box where the Windows help page says there should be in the Advanced area.
Whatever I do, I still just get a white (blank) field above the Start button and All Programs prompt. I can drag program icons into the field above the recently used programs field (i.e., where the Email and Explorer program icons go if you select them), but the recently used programs field stubbornly remains blank.
Some answers online suggest not using shortcuts to open the programs, but the ‘root’ program icon itself – but I’ve even gone right into program Files/Microsoft Office/Office 11/Winword.exe and saved the document opened – still no result.
I suspect the answer will be an amendment to a registry entry. A couple of the answers given online give registry addresses to alter, but didn’t go on to say what to do having reached the applicable page. Everyone giving such an answer assumed the reader has a far deeper knowledge of registry editing than I have. They are all dating from around 2004 as well, so asking for clarification probably won’t get a quick answer.
I’ve tried using TweakUI, but I’m presented with a blank screen in its Task Menu/Start Bar window and I can’t work out how to add something to that blank window.
It’s not a huge problem. I’m learning to live with it, but I would prefer it to be resolved and have what I’m used to. Any advice would be appreciated.