Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    21

    Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

    Hi All!

    I am using windows 7 & getting a strange error with it. the error is that when i click on programs in start menu it shows blank. I have many programs installed & was working fine till yesterday. My search works perfectly & show recent programs.

    Please Help..!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    4,345

    Re: Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

    It is the issue with registry for an upgrade.

    Try making a new user and hope it may appears in that, also if that doesn't work try opening elevated command prompt and type sfc /scan now and hit enter to see if it finds any corrupt system files, failing that you could try a repair install.

    OR

    Just thought of a way you may be able to preserve your original account, try copying the AppData folder from the new account and merge it with the old account and replace all the files and settings with the working account, hopefully that will fix whatever issue is causing the problem.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    4,831

    Re: Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

    Follow the following Step may help you....

    1. Login as Administrator (or equivalent) and execute this command from Start, Run dialog:

      regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

    2. Restart Windows. If that does not help, inspect and fix the the Shell Folder data for Start Menu, Programs, Common Start Menu and Common Programs.

      NOTE: Backup the Registry before modifying it. See this page for more information on backing up the registry keys.

    3. Typing REGEDIT.EXE in the Start, Run dialog. Fix the data for these four registry values: (The defaults can be taken from the UserShellFolders page.)

      Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >> Common Start Menu >> Common Programs

    4. Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER >> Start Menu >> Programs

    5. If Common Programs value is not available in the right-pane, create a new REG_EXPAND_SZ value named Common Programs and assign the data as said above. Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    3,316

    Re: Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

    To restore the icon in the All Programs of Start Menu follow the following step :

    Ctr + Alt + Delete // File – New Task (run…) // explorer.exe // OK
    This will show your desktop icons but not solve the problem
    To solve it just do this steps


    1. copy "explorer.exe" from other clean computer (from C:\WINDOWS)

    2. in your computer go to C:\WINDOWS

    3. show hidden files from (Tools - Folder Options - View - Show hidden files and folders)

    4. delete explorer.exe and any other files start with explorer...

    5. put the new file (explorer.exe)

    6. log off or restart

    7. log on


    The problem is solved Enjoy..!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    4,642

    Re: Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

    In Windows 7, there may be occasional error where user cannot drag and drop an application program to Windows Taskbar (Superbar) and Start Menu anymore, with the icon shows a red cross when user attempts to place it on Taskbar or Start Menu. When right click on a program icon or shortcut, the “Pin to Taskbar” and “Pin to Start Menu” context menu is missing and not showing too.

    Other symptom that may affect users facing these errors in Windows 7 including no Jump List been popped up when right clicking on icons in Taskbar.

    The cause of the problem is because users have made the shortcut in Windows 7 to be ‘not a shortcut’ by removing the shortcut arrow on icons (including desktop icons) by removing IsShortcut registry key.

    Thus, to fix the issue that application programs unable to pin to Taskbar and Start Menu, just re-add the IsShortcut registry key back to .lnk (and other extensions if applicable) shortcut to reset and restore back original state.

    For user who insists on removing the shortcut arrow, the proper way to remove shortcut arrow yet still allowing pin to Taskbar.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    1

    Re: Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

    I have a similar problem. Certain shortcuts to programs do not have the "Pin To Taskbar" option when right clicking or shift-right clicking. I have the IsShortcut reg entries, I've tried all these options and still no dice. I upgraded from Vista x64 to Win 7 RC 7100. My shortcuts have the arrow.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    1

    Re: Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

    This post helped explain the issue in a little more detail and helped me resolve it. Seems to be a bug when you have more than ~70 shortcuts to programs.

    Hope that helps!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    1

    question Re: Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

    Quote Originally Posted by Macarenas View Post
    Follow the following Step may help you....

    1. Login as Administrator (or equivalent) and execute this command from Start, Run dialog:

      regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

    2. Restart Windows. If that does not help, inspect and fix the the Shell Folder data for Start Menu, Programs, Common Start Menu and Common Programs.

      NOTE: Backup the Registry before modifying it. See this page for more information on backing up the registry keys.

    3. Typing REGEDIT.EXE in the Start, Run dialog. Fix the data for these four registry values: (The defaults can be taken from the UserShellFolders page.)

      Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >> Common Start Menu >> Common Programs

    4. Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER >> Start Menu >> Programs

    5. If Common Programs value is not available in the right-pane, create a new REG_EXPAND_SZ value named Common Programs and assign the data as said above. Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.
    None of the values mentioned are in my registry.
    Where can I find the "UserShellFolder page?

  9. #9
    Johnny Knocksville Guest

    Re: Blank All Programs on Start menu in Windows 7

    Yes ,, Well I suffer from the above too start menu dissapered after upgrade from vista so after tryin a few things i googgled for a suggestion and came across this forum point one shouldnt the obvious ppl be sortin it ?we had updates but nothing that "matters" speakin as the general public would
    anyway back to tryin a few more things i am not a forum person really ....bbs

Similar Threads

  1. Why C Drive seem blank and Start Menu is empty in Windows XP ?
    By fANIBHUSAN in forum Networking & Security
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 18-06-2011, 09:30 PM
  2. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 23-01-2011, 07:04 PM
  3. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 23-01-2011, 11:58 AM
  4. No start menu and blank desktop in windows 7 system
    By AlexisSoft in forum Operating Systems
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-12-2010, 11:47 PM
  5. Blank start menu!
    By Demi in forum Customize Desktop
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 13-04-2009, 01:23 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Page generated in 1,710,823,055.34321 seconds with 16 queries