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Solved: Start Menu Problem

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violethigh's Avatar
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31-Mar-2007, 01:22 PM #1
Solved: Start Menu Problem
I've just noticed that my start menu isn't listing my recent programmes. It has been up until recently and I can't remember what I did to stop it working.

The internet and e-mail icons appear at the top but the rest of the menu is blank. I have tried pinning programmes to the start menu but there is always still a big space at the bottom underneath the pinned icons.

I have tried changing all the settings on the start menu/task bar options but nothing works.

I just want all my recently opened programmes to appear on the menu again. Any ideas?
uhaligani's Avatar
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31-Mar-2007, 02:38 PM #2
Right click the taskbar. Select properties. Select the Start menu Tab. Tick the "Store and display a list of recently opened programs. If you now click "customise", towrds the bottom you can select how many files you wish to show.
violethigh's Avatar
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31-Mar-2007, 02:50 PM #3
Thanks for the reply but I have already tried that. The more files I set the bigger the blank space becomes.

I think the problem occurred just after I used CCleaner when it deleted the user assist history and menu order cache. On CCleaner it said that deleting these files wouldn't effect the start menu though.
mdvbilt's Avatar
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31-Mar-2007, 03:42 PM #4
Not much help
I was going to suggest the same thing with the right click taskbar thing, but I don't know how that would help your problem. That is weird. I will say that I personally wouldn't run any CCleaner-type programs until they come out specifically written for Vista. You just never know how they're going to actually interact. Not that that really helps right now...
violethigh's Avatar
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31-Mar-2007, 03:54 PM #5
The latest version of CCleaner claims to be Vista compatible and I've never had any problems. I don't think it's a CCleaner problem, more like something I did which I shouldn't have probably.

Looks like this one might remain unsolved but thanks for your help anyway.
Noyb's Avatar
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31-Mar-2007, 04:04 PM #6
I was just looking thru Kelly's corner to see if I could find anything that might apply.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

This one looked close ... It's up to you want to try it.
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popeyecartoon's Avatar
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31-Mar-2007, 04:24 PM #7
CCleaner usually allows you to save before the change so if you did you should be able to recouver.
violethigh's Avatar
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31-Mar-2007, 04:24 PM #8
Noyb, you're a legend. That worked a treat. Thanks a lot!
Noyb's Avatar
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31-Mar-2007, 04:26 PM #9
Whew ... I was nervous bout that.
Didn't think it could hurt.
Kelly's saved me a couple of times.
Broledh's Avatar
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12-May-2007, 02:22 PM #10
Alternate Fix
Friends,I don't know what went wrong but I was facing the same problem for many days.It first appeared after I selected everything to wipe in CCleaner.When I pinned an item to the Start Menu,a big empty space was left under the pinned items.Moreover,the more items I pinned,the larger the space grew.Fortunately,I found this site but my bad that the Kelly's Korner Registry Hack didn't do the wonders for me as it did for many people.I thought a lot but couldn't get a Fool-Proof fix.Suddenly One day,I got it and it was so simple.I had to do nothing but just use my computer as normal.Slowly,my Start Menu "Recently Used Lists" appeared back,one by one,and the empty space was gone.Voila!The problem had been solved by itself....
ozborne's Avatar
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22-Oct-2007, 07:02 AM #11
Empty Start Menu Folders
I had the same problem after using CCleaner. In addition, most of my program folders are empty though my start menu list has repopulated once I started using programs. I reinstalled vista, ran rescue and recovery to put system to a back date but nothing worked. Unfortunately I didnt save before the change.

Any Suggesstions please???
popeyecartoon's Avatar
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22-Oct-2007, 01:21 PM #12
Ccleaner
I would strongly suggest that you use Advanced WindowsCare 2 Personal from now on. I have used Ccleaner for quite awhile now, but I've had no problems with Advanced WindowsCare and it does a lot more as well as finding a lot that other programs don't.
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