[paulb100]

right click on the START orb and choose PROPERTIES then click the START MENU 'Tab' then click the 'CUSTOMIZE' button and check 'RECENT ITEMS'

this enables the old 'Recent Items' menu in START MENU where u can access all your recently used files...

this might activate some component of that PIN-TO-TASKBAR as it was part of the instructions to do so on one website I found but I found pin-to-taskbar to work without it anyway - worth a bash...

when you say folder do you mean just a plain old folder on desktop to keep files in? - or are you gunna make a toolbar on taskbar with it? (which is what I did before i fixed pin-to-taskbar) - create your folder in somewhere like MY DOCUMENTS, name it something like 'PROGRAMS' - put all your shortcuts in it - then right-click on TASKBAR and choose Toolbars then -> 'new toolbar' then select your 'PROGRAMS' folder in My Docs and then the word 'PROGRAMS' will appear on taskbar near system tray with two little arrows - you can click these arrows then ALL your shortcuts will appear in a list.... bit like having your own little start menu with your own shortcuts in - it does well until you get this problem sorted...

[buf]

Thanks for the tip. Got those shortcuts to selected programs on the taskbar and clicking on the Program Shortcuts renders my listing of wanted programs. This is better than nothing but maybe someone will jump in to help. Removed them from the desktop and that is now cleaner. Thanks again.

[paulb100]

ive unmarked the thread as SOLVED so people can jump in to help you...
meanwhile I will keep looking on web for you but all I can find is everyone else its happened to is same as me 'disabled shortcut arrows' and thats what disabled it
- I know you say you havent made any changes that should affect it but have you made any changes whatsoever to windows 7 ? - like tweaks or changes to GUI (User interface - explorer / icons / desktop etc)

[buf]

And thanks again. No, I do not recall changing anything in Win 7 that would have affected and caused this problem. I have never removed or even attempted to remove the shortcut arrow; never bothered me.
So help me, I was thinking earlier of asking you to remove the "resolved" for the very reason you stated !!!
What I have now is satisfactory to me but it just isn't what I should be able to do.
Have a great weekend.