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Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?

This really isn't a 64 bit issue - I suppose the 32 bit version does the
same thing. With XP and prior version of windows, I could put directories on
the start menu so that I could press Start followed by the first letter of
the directory, and it would open that directory. Since "Run" started with an
R, and I didn't have anything else there that started with R, I could go
Start-R and the run dialog would appear. Is it possible to get Win7 to do
this?

"Zootal" <> wrote:

> Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?

Yes, but not on the MSFT servers. There's an alt.windows7 but many
servers don't carry it.

Other than that you're stuck with the horrible web interface on
technet.


--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

Start-ru works on mine. I like Winkey-R as that works on most versions of
Windows.

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/

"Zootal" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?
>
> This really isn't a 64 bit issue - I suppose the 32 bit version does the
> same thing. With XP and prior version of windows, I could put directories
> on the start menu so that I could press Start followed by the first letter
> of the directory, and it would open that directory. Since "Run" started
> with an R, and I didn't have anything else there that started with R, I
> could go Start-R and the run dialog would appear. Is it possible to get
> Win7 to do this?

Hmm...must be some way then to disable the search dialog. If I press the
Start button on my keyboard, the start menu appears with the cursor in a box
"Search programs and files"....I need to look some more...

"Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
news:...
> Start-ru works on mine. I like Winkey-R as that works on most versions of
> Windows.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>
> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?
>>
>> This really isn't a 64 bit issue - I suppose the 32 bit version does the
>> same thing. With XP and prior version of windows, I could put directories
>> on the start menu so that I could press Start followed by the first
>> letter of the directory, and it would open that directory. Since "Run"
>> started with an R, and I didn't have anything else there that started
>> with R, I could go Start-R and the run dialog would appear. Is it
>> possible to get Win7 to do this?
>

Hi, Zootal.

Don't release the WinKey; hold it down like the Shift key while you press
the R key; that produces "Run". WinKey+E starts Windows Explorer; WinKey+D
(for Desktop) hides all the icons on your desktop - or brings them back.

The Windows logo key - often labeled Start and sometimes called the Search
key, since it does that, too, in Win7 - works like the <Alt> key if you
press and release, or like the <Ctrl> key if you hold it down.

And the Usenet newsgroup for Win7 is alt.windows7.general. Sadly, the same
trolls who have trashed vista.general have already discovered that NG and
are out-grossing each other in trashing it, too. :>(

In spite of the protests from many MVPs and other users, Microsoft decided
to NOT support Win7 in newsgroups; only in web-based forums.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

"Zootal" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hmm...must be some way then to disable the search dialog. If I press the
> Start button on my keyboard, the start menu appears with the cursor in a
> box "Search programs and files"....I need to look some more...
>
> "Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Start-ru works on mine. I like Winkey-R as that works on most versions of
>> Windows.
>>
>> --
>> Kerry Brown
>> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
>> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>>
>> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?
>>>
>>> This really isn't a 64 bit issue - I suppose the 32 bit version does the
>>> same thing. With XP and prior version of windows, I could put
>>> directories on the start menu so that I could press Start followed by
>>> the first letter of the directory, and it would open that directory.
>>> Since "Run" started with an R, and I didn't have anything else there
>>> that started with R, I could go Start-R and the run dialog would appear.
>>> Is it possible to get Win7 to do this?

OK, I give. How did you set yours up to do that? Start-ru on mine leaves me
sitting there looking at the letters "ru" in the search box. If I press
Start-Tab-R-Enter, then I get run, but I have to tab over to the right
column in order to select any of them. Yeah, it's just a few keystrokes.

And how do you add custom menus to the start menu? With XP classic, all you
did was physically create the directories under \Documents and
Settings\<user name>\Start Menu\, and then put shortcuts in it. You can do
that with Win7, but it appears in the Programs list itself, not above it.

Here is a pic of what I mean. The menu Matty, seen at the top, would open up
and display its shortcuts if I pressed Start-M, assuming there were no other
entries at that level that started with M. I could then press the key that a
shortcut starts with, and it launches that item. So, to start putty, I
pressed Start-M-P, and putty would launch.

http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/evilw...0startmenu.jpg

With Win7, I press Start-M-P, and I get this:

http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/evilw...7startmenu.jpg

"Zootal" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hmm...must be some way then to disable the search dialog. If I press the
> Start button on my keyboard, the start menu appears with the cursor in a
> box "Search programs and files"....I need to look some more...
>
> "Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Start-ru works on mine. I like Winkey-R as that works on most versions of
>> Windows.
>>
>> --
>> Kerry Brown
>> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
>> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>>
>> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?
>>>
>>> This really isn't a 64 bit issue - I suppose the 32 bit version does the
>>> same thing. With XP and prior version of windows, I could put
>>> directories on the start menu so that I could press Start followed by
>>> the first letter of the directory, and it would open that directory.
>>> Since "Run" started with an R, and I didn't have anything else there
>>> that started with R, I could go Start-R and the run dialog would appear.
>>> Is it possible to get Win7 to do this?
>>

Tnx for the input. I did find it. It's not too bad today, but a lot of the
usenet groups are being trashed lately by the spammers. They seem to come
and go in cycles.

"R. C. White" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi, Zootal.
>
> Don't release the WinKey; hold it down like the Shift key while you press
> the R key; that produces "Run". WinKey+E starts Windows Explorer;
> WinKey+D (for Desktop) hides all the icons on your desktop - or brings
> them back.
>
> The Windows logo key - often labeled Start and sometimes called the Search
> key, since it does that, too, in Win7 - works like the <Alt> key if you
> press and release, or like the <Ctrl> key if you hold it down.
>
> And the Usenet newsgroup for Win7 is alt.windows7.general. Sadly, the
> same trolls who have trashed vista.general have already discovered that NG
> and are out-grossing each other in trashing it, too. :>(
>
> In spite of the protests from many MVPs and other users, Microsoft decided
> to NOT support Win7 in newsgroups; only in web-based forums.
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
>
> Microsoft Windows MVP
> Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64
>
> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hmm...must be some way then to disable the search dialog. If I press the
>> Start button on my keyboard, the start menu appears with the cursor in a
>> box "Search programs and files"....I need to look some more...
>>
>> "Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Start-ru works on mine. I like Winkey-R as that works on most versions
>>> of Windows.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Kerry Brown
>>> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
>>> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>>>
>>> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?
>>>>
>>>> This really isn't a 64 bit issue - I suppose the 32 bit version does
>>>> the same thing. With XP and prior version of windows, I could put
>>>> directories on the start menu so that I could press Start followed by
>>>> the first letter of the directory, and it would open that directory.
>>>> Since "Run" started with an R, and I didn't have anything else there
>>>> that started with R, I could go Start-R and the run dialog would
>>>> appear. Is it possible to get Win7 to do this?
>

No idea why that wouldn't work on your computer. You can add the Run command
to the Start menu. Maybe that would be easier for you. Right click on the
Start orb. Left click on Properties. Left click on the Customize button.
Scroll down until you see "Run command" Check the box beside it. Personally
I recommend using Winkey+r. It keeps the the menu cleaner and it's faster,
one keystroke vs. using the mouse or two keystrokes.

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/



"Zootal" <> wrote in message
news:#...
> OK, I give. How did you set yours up to do that? Start-ru on mine leaves
> me sitting there looking at the letters "ru" in the search box. If I press
> Start-Tab-R-Enter, then I get run, but I have to tab over to the right
> column in order to select any of them. Yeah, it's just a few keystrokes.
>
> And how do you add custom menus to the start menu? With XP classic, all
> you did was physically create the directories under \Documents and
> Settings\<user name>\Start Menu\, and then put shortcuts in it. You can do
> that with Win7, but it appears in the Programs list itself, not above it.
>
> Here is a pic of what I mean. The menu Matty, seen at the top, would open
> up and display its shortcuts if I pressed Start-M, assuming there were no
> other entries at that level that started with M. I could then press the
> key that a shortcut starts with, and it launches that item. So, to start
> putty, I pressed Start-M-P, and putty would launch.
>
> http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/evilw...0startmenu.jpg
>
> With Win7, I press Start-M-P, and I get this:
>
> http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/evilw...7startmenu.jpg
>
> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hmm...must be some way then to disable the search dialog. If I press the
>> Start button on my keyboard, the start menu appears with the cursor in a
>> box "Search programs and files"....I need to look some more...
>>
>> "Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Start-ru works on mine. I like Winkey-R as that works on most versions
>>> of Windows.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Kerry Brown
>>> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
>>> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>>>
>>> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?
>>>>
>>>> This really isn't a 64 bit issue - I suppose the 32 bit version does
>>>> the same thing. With XP and prior version of windows, I could put
>>>> directories on the start menu so that I could press Start followed by
>>>> the first letter of the directory, and it would open that directory.
>>>> Since "Run" started with an R, and I didn't have anything else there
>>>> that started with R, I could go Start-R and the run dialog would
>>>> appear. Is it possible to get Win7 to do this?
>>>

I found this gem here: http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/, and it gives me
the good old XP classic start menu. My programs now open up across the
desktop, and I can see everything again instead of being confined to a small
area inside of the start menu. That more or less was my biggest issue with
Win7 - Microsoft telling me that I can no longer do things the way I've done
them for 15 years since Win95 came out. This gives me back what I want.

Someone here has to know why when I press the Start button, the default
behavior is to put the cursor in a search field so I can type in text to
search for. It has to be a setting somewhere, but I haven't yet found it. I
can TAB out of it and then the start menu works somewhat as desired.
Especially since others here are reporting that isn't how it works for them.


"Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
news:...
> No idea why that wouldn't work on your computer. You can add the Run
> command to the Start menu. Maybe that would be easier for you. Right click
> on the Start orb. Left click on Properties. Left click on the Customize
> button. Scroll down until you see "Run command" Check the box beside it.
> Personally I recommend using Winkey+r. It keeps the the menu cleaner and
> it's faster, one keystroke vs. using the mouse or two keystrokes.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>
>
>
> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
> news:#...
>> OK, I give. How did you set yours up to do that? Start-ru on mine leaves
>> me sitting there looking at the letters "ru" in the search box. If I
>> press Start-Tab-R-Enter, then I get run, but I have to tab over to the
>> right column in order to select any of them. Yeah, it's just a few
>> keystrokes.
>>
>> And how do you add custom menus to the start menu? With XP classic, all
>> you did was physically create the directories under \Documents and
>> Settings\<user name>\Start Menu\, and then put shortcuts in it. You can
>> do that with Win7, but it appears in the Programs list itself, not above
>> it.
>>
>> Here is a pic of what I mean. The menu Matty, seen at the top, would open
>> up and display its shortcuts if I pressed Start-M, assuming there were no
>> other entries at that level that started with M. I could then press the
>> key that a shortcut starts with, and it launches that item. So, to start
>> putty, I pressed Start-M-P, and putty would launch.
>>
>> http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/evilw...0startmenu.jpg
>>
>> With Win7, I press Start-M-P, and I get this:
>>
>> http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/evilw...7startmenu.jpg
>>
>> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Hmm...must be some way then to disable the search dialog. If I press the
>>> Start button on my keyboard, the start menu appears with the cursor in a
>>> box "Search programs and files"....I need to look some more...
>>>
>>> "Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Start-ru works on mine. I like Winkey-R as that works on most versions
>>>> of Windows.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Kerry Brown
>>>> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
>>>> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>>>>
>>>> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:...
>>>>> Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?
>>>>>
>>>>> This really isn't a 64 bit issue - I suppose the 32 bit version does
>>>>> the same thing. With XP and prior version of windows, I could put
>>>>> directories on the start menu so that I could press Start followed by
>>>>> the first letter of the directory, and it would open that directory.
>>>>> Since "Run" started with an R, and I didn't have anything else there
>>>>> that started with R, I could go Start-R and the run dialog would
>>>>> appear. Is it possible to get Win7 to do this?
>>>>

Each to their own I prefer the new menu system. I hated the XP fly out
menus.

Features aren't removed just for the heck of it. The code for the classic
menus was pretty old. It would have had to go through the code vetting
process for security, bugs, compatibility with other features etc. I'm
guessing a good portion of it would have had to be rewritten to work with
the new graphics subsystem. Someone made the decision that the resources to
do that were too expensive.

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/


"Zootal" <> wrote in message
news:...
> I found this gem here: http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/, and it gives
> me the good old XP classic start menu. My programs now open up across the
> desktop, and I can see everything again instead of being confined to a
> small area inside of the start menu. That more or less was my biggest
> issue with Win7 - Microsoft telling me that I can no longer do things the
> way I've done them for 15 years since Win95 came out. This gives me back
> what I want.
>
> Someone here has to know why when I press the Start button, the default
> behavior is to put the cursor in a search field so I can type in text to
> search for. It has to be a setting somewhere, but I haven't yet found it.
> I can TAB out of it and then the start menu works somewhat as desired.
> Especially since others here are reporting that isn't how it works for
> them.
>
>
> "Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
> news:...
>> No idea why that wouldn't work on your computer. You can add the Run
>> command to the Start menu. Maybe that would be easier for you. Right
>> click on the Start orb. Left click on Properties. Left click on the
>> Customize button. Scroll down until you see "Run command" Check the box
>> beside it. Personally I recommend using Winkey+r. It keeps the the menu
>> cleaner and it's faster, one keystroke vs. using the mouse or two
>> keystrokes.
>>
>> --
>> Kerry Brown
>> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
>> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>>
>>
>>
>> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
>> news:#...
>>> OK, I give. How did you set yours up to do that? Start-ru on mine leaves
>>> me sitting there looking at the letters "ru" in the search box. If I
>>> press Start-Tab-R-Enter, then I get run, but I have to tab over to the
>>> right column in order to select any of them. Yeah, it's just a few
>>> keystrokes.
>>>
>>> And how do you add custom menus to the start menu? With XP classic, all
>>> you did was physically create the directories under \Documents and
>>> Settings\<user name>\Start Menu\, and then put shortcuts in it. You can
>>> do that with Win7, but it appears in the Programs list itself, not above
>>> it.
>>>
>>> Here is a pic of what I mean. The menu Matty, seen at the top, would
>>> open up and display its shortcuts if I pressed Start-M, assuming there
>>> were no other entries at that level that started with M. I could then
>>> press the key that a shortcut starts with, and it launches that item.
>>> So, to start putty, I pressed Start-M-P, and putty would launch.
>>>
>>> http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/evilw...0startmenu.jpg
>>>
>>> With Win7, I press Start-M-P, and I get this:
>>>
>>> http://zootal.no-ip.info/stuff/evilw...7startmenu.jpg
>>>
>>> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Hmm...must be some way then to disable the search dialog. If I press
>>>> the Start button on my keyboard, the start menu appears with the cursor
>>>> in a box "Search programs and files"....I need to look some more...
>>>>
>>>> "Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
>>>> news:...
>>>>> Start-ru works on mine. I like Winkey-R as that works on most versions
>>>>> of Windows.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Kerry Brown
>>>>> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
>>>>> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>>>>>
>>>>> "Zootal" <> wrote in message
>>>>> news:...
>>>>>> Firstly, are there no Windows 7 specific groups?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> This really isn't a 64 bit issue - I suppose the 32 bit version does
>>>>>> the same thing. With XP and prior version of windows, I could put
>>>>>> directories on the start menu so that I could press Start followed by
>>>>>> the first letter of the directory, and it would open that directory.
>>>>>> Since "Run" started with an R, and I didn't have anything else there
>>>>>> that started with R, I could go Start-R and the run dialog would
>>>>>> appear. Is it possible to get Win7 to do this?
>>>>>