Windows Explorer missing Program Files & Folders

Hi,

This is no problem really but I don't understand something. when using Windows 98, a friend of mine opens the Windows Explorer key, clicks Start, then Programs, and he does not see all his files and folders listed as they are in the Start Menu, Programs.

He only sees about nine of them. How can he view all the files and folders that are truly located in the Start Menu, Programs?

I thought Windows Explorer always showed exactly what was in the start menu.

Does anyone know what happened and how he can get them back so he can move, rename and delete in Windows Explorer.

I would appreciate some help with this.

Thank you.

Jean

 

Does your friend have, inadvertantly, more than 1 file named Start Menu on his PC ? That would cause the effect he is seeing.
regards

 

Try deleting the following registry key.

Run Regedit and browse to
HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Currentversion/Explorer/MenuOrder/Start Menu

Select Start Menu, then Registry > Export Registry File to create a backup of the key.

Then, with Start Menu selected, right mouse > Delete.

Exit Regedit.

 

Just a thought, but could this be some sort of "mutiple user" mixup. I'd have to do some study up on customizations and restrictions allowed to an indvidual "logged-on" user's and a "default user's" startmenu and what the path would be to each. At this point I'm not even sure if there would be to much of a difference but if there is perhaps your friend is looking in the wrong folder for his or her startmenu shortcuts.

I thought I'd throw this out there in case any member with experience in this type of multiple user setup [I have all users use same settings] could add knowledge on the paths and the difference, before I go a huntin' for the info and make it back to post. Wouldn't want a registry edit made needlessly.

What happens when the friend rightclicks on the startbutton and selects option "explore" from there? This should have correct path to a loggedin users startmenu.

I think the path is something similar to "C:\Windows\Profiles\(current_user)\Start Menu ".

 

My friend does not have any other users that log on to his computer and no one is added.

He also said sometimes when he installs a program, it shows in one place and maybe not the other, such as one time it is in Windows Explorer and not under Start Menu, and other times it is opposite.

I will have him right click the start button just to see if he can see them all in there and let you know.

Jean

 

No mutilple user setup thrown into the mix. Oh well, I thought it was worth mentioning just in case.
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How about another not so scenic sidetrack....

What version of IE is the friend using?

Perhaps this is an older bug that an updated version had fixed.

I think there was some "refresh" sycronization problems in versions 5.x.

Does an F5 refresh or a toolbar>view>refresh make any difference? [Do this with the startmenu as the highlighted folder].

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If these less intrusive quick could-do's don't seem to work, then perhaps the regedit previosly suggested is worth a shot. In any case wiith a backup of registry [or a prior export of registry hkey before editing] it can't hurt and is reversible.

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What version of IE is the friend using?

OOPS !!! A little slip of the fingers maybe. ??

I believe Windows Explorer is being refferred to not Internet Explorer. Two different things. Windows can do without IE but needs Explorer.

And if someone does find an answer to this I would be interested also. Although I have not use Windows Explorer for AGES.

I use an excellent replacement for same. It is better known as PowerDesk. Not a free program. But well worth its price.

It is supposed to. Is the Friend clicking on the + to expand the folders ?

BillyBob

 

Windows Explorer[explore.exe] and Internet Explorer[iexplore.exe] are two separate applications but share many of the same files or co-applets. Or maybe I need much more coffee or sleep or both. I may be confusing Windows9x and IE integration.

Perhaps the better question is has the friend kept up with Microsoft win9x service packs [updates]. These also fixed many things.

Maybe I should opt for the sleep and try my luck on the board tomorrow when my mind is less boggled. Can't seem to concentrate....

 

Thanks for all the great help. I'll pass all the notes to my friend and he can check them all out.

Jean

 

Maybe you are not confused either.

I maybe forgetting about SHARED files. In the older versions of Windows IE was intergrated with the OS. I forget just where the intergration removal started. IE5 I think.

But as far as Windows Explorer ( explore.exe ) I have had problems with that no matter which version of what I was using.

Going to a newer version of IE never seemed to have any effect on it. Just for a " Lets see what we get test " I started Windows explorer yesterday and it did not show everything. 98 SE/IE6 SP1

It only showed 1 CDROM but I have 2.

PowerDesk does show everything. And PowerDesk is MUCH better when you want to move or copy stuff from one partition to the other. MUCH MUCH better. And as far as I can see it is pretty much a Stand Alone program. I do not think it shares anything with anybody.

As I said in my other reply. It is well worth the cost. I have had it since the days of Win95. I just got the newer version a short time ago so that I would have it when I go to XP. Or I should say " If and when I do install XP again. "

BillyBob