Useful Tip for Windows 8 'Power Users'

[Atomic Wanderer Chicken]

You may already know this, but here I useful trick/tip I found that may ease any qualms you have with Window 8's new interface.

 

1. Right Click on the taskbar

 

2. Select Toolbars

 

3. Click New Toolbar

 

4.  Select Program Files (86)

 

 

 

 

Now you have sort of the start menu back,  (perhaps a Windows 95-esque start menu) :)

 

[primexx]

what kind of power user launches with a mouse through a cascade of menus?

[threetonesun]

Hit Windows button, get menu. 

 

The old start menu was garbage anyway, like I want to dig through a bunch of readmes and ###### offline landing pages.

[The Evil Overlord]

Hit Windows button, get menu. 

 

The old start menu was garbage anyway, like I want to dig through a bunch of readmes and ****ty offline landing pages.

Which ones?

 

I don't see those

 

[threetonesun]

Which ones?

 

I don't see those

 

Image1.jpg

 

Yeah, let's see what's under "All Programs".

[The Evil Overlord]

Yeah, let's see what's under "All Programs".

Here you go.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something here...

 

[argonite]

Hit Windows button, get menu. 

 

The old start menu was garbage anyway, like I want to dig through a bunch of readmes and ****ty offline landing pages.

 

While I do like the new start screen, I have to say that a 'power user' probably wouldn't let the old start menu get cluttered either.

[+Neyht Subscriber²]

Yeah, let's see what's under "All Programs".

 

Ummm... lets see what you have under all programs.  

 

Hit that little down arrow in the corner.

[The Evil Overlord]

Guys just a sec, I wasn't being malicious, I was genuinely curious about the clutter in the start menu, because I didn't see it

(And thought I could learn to optimise it further)

[LUTZIFER]

The new START menu gets just as cluttered if you let it also. All those Uninstall entries, etc. etc. still show in all programs.

I just go to the shortcut locations and use the "Hide" option, or delete them.

But as far as Im concerned, the new START menu takes way more time and clicks to navigate than the Win 7 menu.

A real power user wouldn't even use that stupid Start screen. lol!!

Hit Windows button, get menu. 

 

The old start menu was garbage anyway, like I want to dig through a bunch of readmes and ****ty offline landing pages.

[threetonesun]

Guys just a sec, I wasn't being malicious, I was genuinely curious about the clutter in the start menu, because I didn't see it

(And thought I could learn to optimise it further)

 

It's less of an issue in Windows 7, but if you do it as this post suggests, unless you want to cull all of the folders in your program files for the uninstall.exe, the readme, and the other random files that get installed along with the actual application .exe, it's really just a mess using folders for your program directory.

 

Generally when you installed things up to XP, they would stick a folder on your start menu, and in it would be 3 or 4 files along with the .exe, and sometimes subfolders if there were sub applications. You can still find them in newer versions of Windows, but at least in 8 they've been hidden away behind an "All Programs" button.

[The Evil Overlord]

It's less of an issue in Windows 7,

Ahh, that's where I got confused, my bad, the folders you see under all programs are actually set by me custom, it wasn't that hard once I figured out what I wanted, and where (in one respect it was easier than setting that up in xp)

[tsupersonic]

This is a terrible tip for those who have tons of programs and also x64. Why not just create shortcuts to the icons you need on your desktop? So much easier, no need for a convoluted menu.

[Dot Matrix]

This is a terrible tip for those who have tons of programs and also x64. Why not just create shortcuts to the icons you need on your desktop? So much easier, no need for a convoluted menu.

Hell, organize them into groups on the Start Screen. That's what those features are there for.

[threetonesun]

Since Windows 7, you might as well just put your most used programs in the Superbar for easiest access. 

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

This is genuinely the funniest thing I have seen all day.  A tip for power users?  Really?  People used to do this back in the days of Windows 95.

[Lord Method Man]

I thought this was going to be the super-dooper-secret "God Mode" folder that only highly experienced admins should use!

[ReimondX]

>>Now you have sort of the start menu back,  (perhaps a Windows 95-esque start menu)

 

Nice! Thanks for the tip.

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

 

Here's what the Start Menu on my primary desktop computer at home looks like:

Folder PATH listing for volume Windows_OS
Volume serial number is CAFE-DEAD
C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU
`---Programs
    +---Drivers
    |   +---AuthenTec
    |   |   `---TrueSuite
    |   |           AuthenTec TrueSuite.lnk
    |   |           Uninstall AuthenTec TrueSuite.lnk
    |   |           
    |   +---Creative
    |   |       Creative Audio Control Panel.lnk
    |   |       Creative Software AutoUpdate.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Nokia
    |   |       Nokia Software Updater for Retail.lnk
    |   |       NSU for Retail.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---NVIDIA Corporation
    |   |   |   3D Vision Photo Viewer.lnk
    |   |   |   GeForce Experience.lnk
    |   |   |   
    |   |   `---3D Vision
    |   |           3D Vision Photo Viewer.lnk
    |   |           3D Vision preview pack 1.lnk
    |   |           
    |   `---Samsung
    |       `---Samsung Magician
    |               Samsung Magician.lnk
    |               Uninstall Samsung Magician.lnk
    |               
    +---ESET
    |   `---ESET Smart Security
    |           ESET Smart Security.lnk
    |           ESET SysInspector.lnk
    |           
    +---Games
    |   +---Blizzard
    |   |   +---Diablo II
    |   |   |       Diablo II.lnk
    |   |   |       
    |   |   `---Diablo III
    |   |           Diablo III Launcher.lnk
    |   |           
    |   +---Runic Games
    |   |   +---Torchlight
    |   |   |       Torchlight Manual.lnk
    |   |   |       Torchlight.lnk
    |   |   |       
    |   |   `---Torchlight 2
    |   |           Play Torchlight 2.lnk
    |   |           Runic Games Website.URL
    |   |           Torchlight Website.URL
    |   |           Uninstall Torchlight 2.lnk
    |   |           
    |   `---SONY Online Entertainment
    |       `---DC Universe Online Live
    |               DC Universe Online Live.lnk
    |               
    +---Microsoft
    |   |   Apps.lnk
    |   |   Desktop.lnk
    |   |   Immersive Control Panel.lnk
    |   |   Internet Explorer.lnk
    |   |   Microsoft Download Manager.lnk
    |   |   Microsoft Reader.lnk
    |   |   Movie Maker.lnk
    |   |   Photo Gallery.lnk
    |   |   Windows Live Mail.lnk
    |   |   Windows Live Messenger.lnk
    |   |   Windows Media Center.lnk
    |   |   Windows Media Player.lnk
    |   |   Windows Store.lnk
    |   |   
    |   +---Accessibility
    |   |       Magnify.lnk
    |   |       Narrator.lnk
    |   |       On-Screen Keyboard.lnk
    |   |       Speech Recognition.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Accessories
    |   |   |   Calculator.lnk
    |   |   |   Math Input Panel.lnk
    |   |   |   Media Center.lnk
    |   |   |   Notepad.lnk
    |   |   |   Paint.lnk
    |   |   |   Remote Desktop Connection.lnk
    |   |   |   Snipping Tool.lnk
    |   |   |   Sound Recorder.lnk
    |   |   |   Steps Recorder.lnk
    |   |   |   Sticky Notes.lnk
    |   |   |   Windows Fax and Scan.lnk
    |   |   |   Windows Media Player.lnk
    |   |   |   Wordpad.lnk
    |   |   |   XPS Viewer.lnk
    |   |   |   
    |   |   +---System Tools
    |   |   |       Character Map.lnk
    |   |   |       
    |   |   `---Tablet PC
    |   |           Windows Journal.lnk
    |   |           
    |   +---Administrative Tools
    |   |       Component Services.lnk
    |   |       Computer Management.lnk
    |   |       dfrgui.lnk
    |   |       Disk Cleanup.lnk
    |   |       Event Viewer.lnk
    |   |       iSCSI Initiator.lnk
    |   |       Memory Diagnostics Tool.lnk
    |   |       ODBC Data Sources (32-bit).lnk
    |   |       ODBC Data Sources (64-bit).lnk
    |   |       Performance Monitor.lnk
    |   |       Print Management.lnk
    |   |       Resource Monitor.lnk
    |   |       Security Configuration Management.lnk
    |   |       services.lnk
    |   |       System Configuration.lnk
    |   |       System Information.lnk
    |   |       Task Scheduler.lnk
    |   |       Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.lnk
    |   |       Windows PowerShell (x86).lnk
    |   |       Windows PowerShell ISE (x86).lnk
    |   |       Windows PowerShell ISE.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Bing Desktop
    |   |       Bing Desktop.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit
    |   |       EMET GUI.lnk
    |   |       EMET Users Guide.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Games
    |   |   +---Blizzard
    |   |   |   +---Diablo II
    |   |   |   |       Diablo II.lnk
    |   |   |   |       
    |   |   |   `---Diablo III
    |   |   |           Diablo III Launcher.lnk
    |   |   |           
    |   |   +---Runic Games
    |   |   |   +---Torchlight
    |   |   |   |       Torchlight Manual.lnk
    |   |   |   |       Torchlight.lnk
    |   |   |   |       
    |   |   |   `---Torchlight 2
    |   |   |           Play Torchlight 2.lnk
    |   |   |           Runic Games Website.URL
    |   |   |           Torchlight Website.URL
    |   |   |           Uninstall Torchlight 2.lnk
    |   |   |           
    |   |   `---SONY Online Entertainment
    |   |       `---DC Universe Online Live
    |   |               DC Universe Online Live.lnk
    |   |               
    |   +---Internet
    |   |   +---FileZilla Project
    |   |   |   `---FileZilla FTP Client
    |   |   |           FileZilla.lnk
    |   |   |           Uninstall.lnk
    |   |   |           
    |   |   +---Google
    |   |   |   `---Google Talk
    |   |   |       |   Google Talk.lnk
    |   |   |       |   
    |   |   |       `---Support
    |   |   |               Google Talk Diagnostic Mode.lnk
    |   |   |               Uninstall Google Talk.lnk
    |   |   |               
    |   |   +---Lockergnome
    |   |   |       Chris Pirillo Live.lnk
    |   |   |       
    |   |   +---mIRC
    |   |   |   `---mIRC
    |   |   |           IRCIntro Help.lnk
    |   |   |           mIRC Help.lnk
    |   |   |           mIRC.lnk
    |   |   |           Readme.txt.lnk
    |   |   |           Versions.txt.lnk
    |   |   |           
    |   |   +---Mozilla Foundation
    |   |   |   `---Firefox
    |   |   |           Mozilla Firefox.lnk
    |   |   |           
    |   |   +---Opera Software
    |   |   |   `---Opera Web Browser
    |   |   |           Opera.lnk
    |   |   |           
    |   |   +---Pyrenean
    |   |   |   `---eDexter
    |   |   |           eDexter.lnk
    |   |   |           Exit eDexter.lnk
    |   |   |           Filter Rules.lnk
    |   |   |           Release Notes.lnk
    |   |   |           Stealth eDexter.lnk
    |   |   |           Toggle Tray.lnk
    |   |   |           Uninstall.lnk
    |   |   |           User License.lnk
    |   |   |           Visible eDexter.lnk
    |   |   |           
    |   |   +---Qualcomm
    |   |   |   `---Eudora
    |   |   |           Eudora Help.lnk
    |   |   |           Eudora Quick Start Guide.lnk
    |   |   |           Eudora.lnk
    |   |   |           Visit Website.lnk
    |   |   |           
    |   |   +---Simon Tatham
    |   |   |   `---PuTTY
    |   |   |           Pageant.lnk
    |   |   |           PSFTP.lnk
    |   |   |           PuTTY Manual.lnk
    |   |   |           PuTTY Web Site.lnk
    |   |   |           PuTTY.lnk
    |   |   |           PuTTYgen.lnk
    |   |   |           
    |   |   +---Skype
    |   |   |       Skype for desktop.lnk
    |   |   |       
    |   |   `---Telerik
    |   |       `---Fiddler
    |   |               Fiddler.lnk
    |   |               
    |   +---Log Parser
    |   |       Log Parser 2.2 Documentation.lnk
    |   |       Log Parser 2.2.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Maintenance
    |   +---Microsoft Download Manager
    |   |       Microsoft Download Manager.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center
    |   |       Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Microsoft Network Monitor
    |   |       EULA.lnk
    |   |       Microsoft Network Monitor 3.4.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Microsoft Office 2013
    |   |   |   Access 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   Excel 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   InfoPath Designer 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   InfoPath Filler 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   Lync 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   OneNote 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   Outlook 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   PowerPoint 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   Project 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   Publisher 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   Send to OneNote 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   SkyDrive Pro 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   Visio 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   Word 2013.lnk
    |   |   |   
    |   |   `---Office 2013 Tools
    |   |           Database Compare 2013.lnk
    |   |           Lync Recording Manager.lnk
    |   |           Office 2013 Language Preferences.lnk
    |   |           Office 2013 Upload Center.lnk
    |   |           Project Server 2013 Accounts.lnk
    |   |           Spreadsheet Compare 2013.lnk
    |   |           Telemetry Dashboard for Office 2013.lnk
    |   |           Telemetry Log for Office 2013.lnk
    |   |           
    |   +---Microsoft Silverlight
    |   |       Microsoft Silverlight.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Multimedia
    |   +---System Tools
    |   |       Command Prompt.lnk
    |   |       computer.lnk
    |   |       Control Panel.lnk
    |   |       Default Programs.lnk
    |   |       File Explorer.lnk
    |   |       Help.lnk
    |   |       Run.lnk
    |   |       Task Manager.lnk
    |   |       Windows Easy Transfer.lnk
    |   |       Windows PowerShell.lnk
    |   |       Windows.Defender.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Tablet PC
    |   +---Tools
    |   |   |   Authorization Manager.lnk
    |   |   |   Certificates Management.lnk
    |   |   |   Command Prompt.lnk
    |   |   |   Component Services.lnk
    |   |   |   Default Programs.lnk
    |   |   |   DirectX Diagnostics.lnk
    |   |   |   DVD Player.lnk
    |   |   |   Edit Hosts File.lnk
    |   |   |   File Signature Verification.lnk
    |   |   |   Local Group Policy Editor.lnk
    |   |   |   Local Security Settings.lnk
    |   |   |   Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool.lnk
    |   |   |   Mobility Center.lnk
    |   |   |   nslookup.lnk
    |   |   |   ODBC Data Source Administrator.lnk
    |   |   |   Open Certificate Request File.lnk
    |   |   |   Performance Monitor.lnk
    |   |   |   Phone Dialer.lnk
    |   |   |   Private Character Editor.lnk
    |   |   |   Problem Steps Recorder.lnk
    |   |   |   Resultant Set of Polilcy.lnk
    |   |   |   Run.lnk
    |   |   |   Shutdown.lnk
    |   |   |   Stored Usernames and Passwords.lnk
    |   |   |   System Configuration Utility.lnk
    |   |   |   System Information.lnk
    |   |   |   TPM Management.lnk
    |   |   |   Windows Defender.lnk
    |   |   |   Windows Store Reset.lnk
    |   |   |   Windows Update.lnk
    |   |   |   WMI Management.lnk
    |   |   |   
    |   |   `---All Options.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
    |   +---Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool
    |   |       Uninstall Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool.lnk
    |   |       Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Windows Live
    |   |       Windows Live Writer.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---XML Notepad
    |   |       Readme.htm.lnk
    |   |       XML Notepad.lnk
    |   |       
    |   `---Zune
    |           Zune.lnk
    |           
    +---Multimedia
    |   +---Adobe
    |   |   |   Adobe Digital Editions 2.0.lnk
    |   |   |   
    |   |   `---Adobe Digital Editions 2.0
    |   |           Adobe Digital Editions 2.0.lnk
    |   |           Help.lnk
    |   |           Home Page.lnk
    |   |           Uninstall.lnk
    |   |           
    |   +---Calibre
    |   |   `---Calibre
    |   |           calibre 64bit - E-book management.lnk
    |   |           E-book viewer 64bit.lnk
    |   |           Get Involved.url
    |   |           LRF viewer 64bit.lnk
    |   |           User Manual.url
    |   |           
    |   +---CDex
    |   |       CDex.lnk
    |   |       Remove CDex.lnk
    |   |       
    |   +---Florian Heidenreich
    |   |   `---Mp3tag
    |   |           Mp3tag Help.lnk
    |   |           Mp3tag v2.54.lnk
    |   |           Mp3tag Website.url
    |   |           Uninstall Mp3tag.lnk
    |   |           Version history.lnk
    |   |           
    |   +---SlySoft
    |   |   `---AnyDVD
    |   |           AnyDVD Help.lnk
    |   |           AnyDVD History.lnk
    |   |           AnyDVD Image Ripper.lnk
    |   |           AnyDVD Ripper.lnk
    |   |           AnyDVD System Information.lnk
    |   |           AnyDVD.lnk
    |   |           Register AnyDVD.lnk
    |   |           Uninstall.lnk
    |   |           
    |   +---SumatraPDF
    |   |       SumatraPDF.lnk
    |   |       
    |   `---VSO
    |       `---VSO Media Player
    |               Report a bug.lnk
    |               Translate VSO Media Player 1.lnk
    |               Uninstall  VSO Media Player 1.lnk
    |               VSO Media Player 1.lnk
    |               
    +---StartUp
    |       AutoHotkey.Com AutoHotkey.lnk
    |       Creative X-Fi Helper App.lnk
    |       Microsoft EMET Agent.lnk
    |       Pyrenean eDexter.lnk
    |       
    +---Startup - Optional
    |       Alcohol Soft Alcohol 120% Automount.lnk
    |       Authentec TrueSuite KeepSafe.lnk
    |       AutoHotkey.Com AutoHotkey.lnk
    |       BillP Studios WinPatrol.lnk
    |       Creative Technologies x-Fi Helper App.lnk
    |       Google Talk.lnk
    |       Intel Data Migration Software Monitor.lnk
    |       Intel Scheduler2 Service.lnk
    |       Microsoft Bing Desktop.lnk
    |       Microsoft EMET Agent.lnk
    |       Microsoft IntelliPoint.lnk
    |       Microsoft IntelliType Pro.lnk
    |       Microsoft Zune Launcher.lnk
    |       NVIDIA NvTmru Application.lnk
    |       nVidia Stereo Links Install.lnk
    |       Pyrenean eDexter.lnk
    |       Samsung Magician.lnk
    |       Skype Phone.lnk
    |       SlySoft AnyDVD.lnk
    |       VMware Workstation Tray Application.lnk
    |       
    `---Utilities
        +---2BrightSparks
        |   `---SyncBackPro
        |           SyncBack Pro.lnk
        |           
        +---7-Zip
        |   `---7-Zip
        |           7-Zip File Manager.lnk
        |           7-Zip Help.lnk
        |           
        +---Alcohol Soft
        |   `---Alcohol 120%
        |           A.C.I.D. Wizard.lnk
        |           Alcohol 120%.lnk
        |           Alcohol Command Launcher.lnk
        |           Alcohol Manual.lnk
        |           Data-Type Analyzer.lnk
        |           Uninstall Alcohol 120%.lnk
        |           
        +---Angus Johnson
        |   `---Resource Hacker
        |           Reasource Hacker Readme.lnk
        |           Resource Hacker Help.lnk
        |           Resource Hacker.lnk
        |           Version History.lnk
        |           
        +---AutoHotkey.Com
        |   `---AutoHotkey
        |           AutoHotkey Help File.lnk
        |           AutoHotkey Setup.lnk
        |           AutoHotkey.lnk
        |           AutoIt3 Window Spy.lnk
        |           Convert .ahk to .exe.lnk
        |           Website.lnk
        |           
        +---BillP Studios
        |   `---WinPatrol
        |           Uninstall WinPatrol.lnk
        |           WinPatrol Explorer.lnk
        |           WinPatrol Help.lnk
        |           WinPatrol.lnk
        |           
        +---Canneverbe Ltd
        |   `---CDBurnerXP
        |           CDBurnerXP.lnk
        |           
        +---Christian Maas
        |   `---XVI32
        |           XVI32 Help.lnk
        |           XVI32 Readme.lnk
        |           XVI32.lnk
        |           
        +---Far Group
        |   `---Far Manager
        |           Far Manager 3.lnk
        |           Uninstall.lnk
        |           
        +---Intel
        |   `---Intelr Data Migration Software
        |           Bootable Rescue?Media Builder.lnk
        |           Intelr Data Migration Software.lnk
        |           
        +---Lightning UK
        |   `---ImgBurn
        |           ImgBurn Read Me.lnk
        |           ImgBurn.lnk
        |           Uninstall.lnk
        |           
        +---Nirsoft
        |   `---WebBrowserPassView
        |           WebBrowserPassView - Help.lnk
        |           WebBrowserPassView - Readme.lnk
        |           WebBrowserPassView.lnk
        |           
        +---Paragon Software GmbH
        |   +---Paragon Hard Disk Manager Professional
        |   |       Paragon Hard Disk ManagerT 12 Professional.lnk
        |   |       Uninstall Paragon Hard Disk ManagerT.lnk
        |   |       
        |   `---Paragon Partition Manager Professional
        |           Paragon Partition ManagerT 12 Professional.lnk
        |           Uninstall Paragon Partition ManagerT.lnk
        |           
        +---RARLab
        |   `---WinRAR
        |           Console RAR manual.lnk
        |           What is new in the latest version.lnk
        |           WinRAR help.lnk
        |           WinRAR.lnk
        |           
        +---Raxco
        |   `---PerfectDisk
        |           PerfectDisk Professional.lnk
        |           
        +---Runtime Software
        |   `---GetDataBack
        |           GetDataBack for NTFS.lnk
        |           
        +---UDPixel
        |       UDPixel.lnk
        |       Uninstall.lnk
        |       
        +---VMware
        |       Virtual Network Editor.lnk
        |       VMware Player.lnk
        |       VMware vCenter Converter Standalone Client.lnk
        |       VMware Workstation.lnk
        |       
        +---WinDirStat
        |       Help (ENG).lnk
        |       Uninstall WinDirStat.lnk
        |       WinDirStat.lnk
        |       

I've tried to group items by function, developer and then program.  This creates a nice tree-like structure that is easy to drill down into without being overwhelming to look at from any level within the tree (well, maybe the Utilities section is a little congested).

 

Regards,Aryeh Goretsky

[Ian W]

This is genuinely the funniest thing I have seen all day.  A tip for power users?  Really?  People used to do this back in the days of Windows 95.

I may have misunderstood, but why on Earth would people do this "back in the days of Windows 95"? The toolbar that Atomic Wanderer Chicken posted is reminiscent of the Windows 95 Start menu, so creating this toolbar would be redundant.

[Praetor]

I may have misunderstood, but why on Earth would people do this "back in the days of Windows 95"? The toolbar that Atomic Wanderer Chicken posted is reminiscent of the Windows 95 Start menu, so creating this toolbar would be redundant.

 

i've seen toolbars like this back in the win98 days, it would help those that wanted the most used applications accessible from the desktop.

 

Now it's almost 2014 and people are still talking about the Start Menu? Really? I use win8.1 and i barely go to the Start Menu, i usually launch my apps from the Search (from the Charms) if it's an app i don't use much; the rest of the apps that i use everyday i have them pinned in the taskbar; much more faster than using the old classic Start Menu.

[threetonesun]

I may have misunderstood, but why on Earth would people do this "back in the days of Windows 95"? The toolbar that Atomic Wanderer Chicken posted is reminiscent of the Windows 95 Start menu, so creating this toolbar would be redundant.

 

Because back on 95/98 and XP to an extent, if you wanted quick access to folders, creating a shortcut was about your best option. Also, you could put multiple applications in there so it took up less space, unlike the shortcut menu that started in 98 ( I think) which put applications on the taskbar but also loaded application windows.

 

IMO the Superbar is one of the greatest improvements to come to Windows in a long time, as they did a really good job of smashing three separate things together and making it work (launcher, folder browser, and taskbar).

[Roger H. Veteran]

I've always wondered why (in Windows Vista and up) would someone ever go to All Programs and go through the monotony of menus to get to a program when they can just click start and type name (or even part of the name) hit enter and done.

Start menu how it was needs to die and I don't miss it per say. Power Users NEVER needed all those menus. Real power user would use WIN+R and type their commands or do it all from PowerShell. :p

[Dot Matrix]

I've always wondered why (in Windows Vista and up) would someone ever go to All Programs and go through the monotony of menus to get to a program when they can just click start and type name (or even part of the name) hit enter and done.

Start menu how it was needs to die and I don't miss it per say. Power Users NEVER needed all those menus. Real power user would use WIN+R and type their commands or do it all from PowerShell. :p

"Power users" like torturing themselves?