# Windows 2000 Explorer:  It's not a feature, it's a Bug!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-2000-explorer-its-not-a-feature-its-a-bug/72937>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 18, 2001, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-2000-explorer-its-not-a-feature-its-a-bug/72937 "2001-07-18T15:19:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![RufusLeaking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c5a1d2/32.png) [@RufusLeaking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RufusLeaking)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2001, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-2000-explorer-its-not-a-feature-its-a-bug/72937/1 "2001-07-18T15:19:44Z")

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I recently got a new computer with Windows 2000 installed and one of the new “features” in the Explorer is driving me up the wall. Namely, when items in the favorites list (bookmarks) or start menu have not been used for awhile they are hidden from you. Yea, you can press the \>\>\> button and see them again but I’d rather they never be hidden in the first place. Does anyone know how to disable this “feature”? I’ve already spent too much time trying to find the answer in the Windows “help” system. Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-2000-explorer-its-not-a-feature-its-a-bug/72937/2 "2001-07-18T15:25:58Z")

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Start \> Settings \> Taskbar and Start Menu. Uncheck “Use Personalized Menus.”

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**Author:** ![RufusLeaking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c5a1d2/32.png) [@RufusLeaking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RufusLeaking)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-2000-explorer-its-not-a-feature-its-a-bug/72937/3 "2001-07-18T16:01:26Z")

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Thanks! That took care of the items that get hidden on the start menu. But items in the favorites list are still hidden.

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**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2001, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-2000-explorer-its-not-a-feature-its-a-bug/72937/4 "2001-07-18T16:23:41Z")

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I suffer from the same problem as the OP.

A work around to try…

Go into IE and export your favorites to a file  
FILE \> IMPORT AND EXPORT

once the export process is complete use an editor to edit the LAST VISIT and LAST MODIFIED tags to current date. Save the file then re-import your favorites.

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**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2001, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-2000-explorer-its-not-a-feature-its-a-bug/72937/5 "2001-07-18T16:24:26Z")

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Look around, son! It’s right there!

Ok just kidding - go to Tools \> Internet Options \> Advanced and find “Enable Personalized Favorites Menu.”

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**Author:** ![RufusLeaking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c5a1d2/32.png) [@RufusLeaking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RufusLeaking)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2001, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-2000-explorer-its-not-a-feature-its-a-bug/72937/6 "2001-07-18T16:41:48Z")

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Thanks !!! That did the trick. I’ve printed this out and will add it to my “Oral traditions” file.