Solved "Hidden" Windows System Start Menu Folders

In File Explorer, go to ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs

Included in the list of folders is ...
Windows Accessories
Windows Ease of Access
Windows Powershell
Windows System
Windows Tools

With the exception of Windows Ease of Access, none of the other folders (and their contents) appear in the Start Menu ??

That's because the Windows 11 start menu is only for dummies. They are there, but more hidden. See example below.
You'll have to install a third party start menu if you want easier access to all of the tools.



Edit: I just counted that to get to the above, it takes 4 clicks and some scrolling to get there.
Get a third party start menu for your own sanity. :)

Stigg said:

That's because the Windows 11 start menu is only for dummies. They are there, but more hidden. See example below.
You'll have to install a third party start menu if you want easier access to all of the tools.

View attachment 14420

Edit: I just counted that to get to the above, it takes 4 clicks and some scrolling to get there.
Get a third party start menu for your own sanity. :)

Click to expand...

You can click on Start then start typing windows tools. The first time I had to type the whole name. Now when I type the w I get this.

you can create your own folders there

Create this directories;
WindowsAccessories
WindowsPowershell
WindowsSystem

copy the contents of these folders to your new folders.
Windows Accessories
Windows Powershell
Windows System

idgat said:

Included in the list of folders is ...
Windows Accessories
Windows Ease of Access
Windows Powershell
Windows System
Windows Tools

With the exception of Windows Ease of Access, none of the other folders (and their contents) appear in the Start Menu ??

Click to expand...

If you empty Ease of Access, it won't show up in all apps, and it changes to Accessibility in Programs; if you put Windows Tools in your Start menu (icons menu), it won't show up; the others are a matter of choice.

Feuer said:

you can create your own folders there

Create this directories;
WindowsAccessories
WindowsPowershell
WindowsSystem

copy the contents of these folders to your new folders.
Windows Accessories
Windows Powershell
Windows System

Click to expand...

Yeh, sorta solved it that way. Created a single folder called Windows Thingies and just copied my more commonly used system-related icons into it. One folder is enough. (Bit 4n4l in this regard, I edit my Start menu to remove all program folders, just have icons. I don't need Start menu full of folders stuffed with program web site shortcuts, uninstall shortcuts, useless text files about a program, etc, etc)