Win8.1 custom Start Menu

If you don't want to use Metro or a Win7 type Start Menu, here is an alternative. Simple to make and use.

Create a folder on your desktop called something like Custom_Start.

There are three Start Menu folders in Win8.1

For All User: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

For Current User: C:\Users\<Username>\Appdata\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

For Default User: C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Go to each of these folders and Copy/Paste the relevant shortcuts (relevant to you) into the Custom_Start folder. There are hundreds of shortcuts in those folders but you probably only need a few dozen. Now you have your own Start Menu shortcuts arranged alphabetically in a single, easy to access folder.

 

Done this before.

Great for those times where you do not want to overpopulate Start Screen with too
many shortcuts. Also an option for 'classic' fans to achieve their simple start menu without having to add 3rd party program.

 

i just pin a folder to the Taskbar that has my shortcuts in it.
my most often used programs are pinned to the Taskbar directly.

for the Windows stuff, most of it can be accessed via the Search bar in the Control Panel.

the Control Panel is easily accessible via a right-click of the Start button.

 

This is far from Windows 8.1-specific.