Viewing extra columns in Windows XP's Start->All Programs

Factual Questions
1

My dad apparently has about 3 billion programs loaded on his computer. It is running Windows XP SP2. When he goes to Start -> All Programs a list of programs and folders pops up in four columns. That’s great, except the list is actually longer than four columns. But he can’t get to anything past that fourth column. Is there any way to see the hidden fifth (and sixth …) column?

I know how to get the list to scroll in a single long column. That’s not what he wants. Besides, it’s annoying to scroll through a list that long. I also told him he should just organize his programs better. He didn’t like that answer. As far as I can tell from the research I have done so far organization into folders and sub-folders is his best bet. But that’s just a work-around rather than an actual solution to his question.

So…is it possible to view columns that are hidden because of the width of the display, or is this just another in a long list of Windows bugs?

2

Well, yes and no. You can’t affect windows’ size of columns or such, but there is an alternative view which can be used. The default, as you know, is the series of columns, but Windows also comes equipped with a single column view which has scroll arrows on the top and bottom of the list. To set this as your default start menu layout do as follows:

Start -> Control Panel -> Taskbar and Start Menu -> click the Start Menu tab on top

Now assuming you’re using the default playskool (aka colorful) windows design, click the top customize button and follow below. If using the old school business windows design click the second customize buttom and follow the instructions a littler further down.

For the colorful / rounded windows setup: After clicking customize click the advanced tab. Now you’ll see several selections including a scroll box with various options contained inside of it. Scroll nearly to the bottom, you’re looking for “Scroll Programs” – check the box next to it. Click ok, click ok again and you’re golden.

For the old windows blue and grey setup (Classic Start Menu as shown in Windows) click the customize button and in the scroll box of checkboxes scroll down until you see “Scroll Programs” - check the box. Click ok. Click ok.

And you should be golden.

I’m currently in a sudafed induced haze so if this is a bit confusing, reply and I’ll try to clear it all up for you.

Hope it helps.

3

Thanks, ronincyberpunk! But I think your Sudafed-induced haze caused you to skip part of my post :wink:

Any other takers?

4

See, this is what I’m talking about.

Sorry.

5

Why not organize his programs into sub-folders? If he has that many it must be possible to catagorize them somehow.

6

I organize my programs on my start menu this way:

Games

Media [INDENT] ** Graphics ** [paint, photoshop, etc…]
**Audio ** [iTunes, Rhapsody, etc…]
** Video ** [realplayer, media player, etc…]
Word & Data [word, notepad, quicken, calendar, calculator, etc…]

Reference & Ed. [databases, tutorials, help; e.g, online bible, encyclopedia, etc…]

Utilities [sysinfo, hardrive utils, DOS prompt, driver installations, etc…]

Internet & Comm [internet explorer, modem apps, messenger]

Startup [all the auto start up programs][/INDENT]

These broad categories will certainly bring down the one four-column pop-up into single column pop-ups.

Also, I clear out all the programs under, ‘Accessories’ which is one the most imbecilic ‘miscellaneous’ catch-all titles, and then delete the ‘Accessories’ folder.

In order to create these folder categories, you’ll need to go into the desktop explorer and find the start programs under My Computer\C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu. You can’t create folders in the pop-up menus, but you can move and delete folders and shortcuts in the pop-up menus.

Hope this helps.

Peace.