Deleted "programs" folder from vista start menu, help please

I deleted the "programs" folder from the vista start menu because when i clicked it, it was just a duplicate of everything already in the start menu. Now things like Windows Backup do not work, and I can't find programs from the search on the start menu. I tried downloading programs to find deleted files, but there is too much to search through. Do I need to reinstall Vista, for the 4th (at least) time since I had it?

 

I wouldn't think deleting anything from the start menu would actually delete any programs or features. Try accessing Windows Backup from Control Panel>Backup and Restore Center. I would think that you might be able to restore it by creating a new account or something? I deleted the Programs folder from my start menu, and I haven't noticed anything stop working, but then again I don't use my start menu all that heavily...

 

I deleted everything from my start menu too but i haven't really been having problems.

 

Just do a system restore to say, yesterdays date, or sometime before you deleted the folder. That should restore it.

start>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore>Restore to earlier date>pick the date/time> restore it~~

 

My accessories folder is gone. System restore gives me error 0x81000202.

 

I bet what you did was accidentally delete the full "Program Folder" from your C: drive and deleted all your installed program support, .exe, directories, etc.

I'll do some looking on the net and see what I can find. Maybe some of the really sharp folks in this forum will be able to help you more......

 

There is no folder named “programs” in Vista start menu. What exactly did you delete? Where was this "programs" folder listed in the start menu ?

 

Open up My Computer, and type "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu" in the address bar. There should be a folder named "Programs" in there, whose subfolders are all the folders that appear in your start menu.

If it's not there, or it's very empty, you probably deleted it. You can manually re-create it by creating folders and then adding shortcuts to the applications you want shortcuts to. Or you can re-create it by re-installing your software and making sure the "Create shortcut on Start Menu" options are checked.

Of course, before you re-create it from scratch, make sure it isn't just sitting in the Recycle Bin!

 

After you click "all programs" it was in that section.

 

You can't just restore from the recycle bin?

 

I would have to download a program and search through all my deleted stuff. I guess I could try.

 

Just open the Recycle Bin and click on Restore all items

 

It looks like he deleted his 'All Programs' folder. Again I would suggest he make a new account and see if it restores the 'All Programs' folder. As to the System Restore not working, it looks as if the service is not running.

 

you're assuming he didn't already empty it........


ya, try tuneup utilites 2007- it had a trial and a real good undelete program for stuff just like this

 

I am just going to reinstall Vista using vlite. All I have to install is 2 games, Office 03, Paintshop Pro XI, and some programs from the internet. Thanks for the help.

 

That would have been the next step; to simply reinstall.

 

Vlite said it is missing "install.swm" but it is on the cd. I made 3 cds with the iso on them, but when I try the first one, it gets error 80070490 after a little bit installs.

 

Yeah, I did the same thing. As people have said, it is just a folder called "Programs" that is listed with the other folders in your start menu.


I also tried using System Restore, I tried 3 different restore points, but always got the same error saying that it was unsuccessful. (Sorry, I didn't note the exact error code).

I have so far semi-resolved the issue. I found another thread where someone suggested using a program called "Recuva".

"Recuva (pronounced "recover") is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user error from digital camera memory cards or MP3 players. It will even bring back files that have been deleted by bugs, crashes and viruses! Recuva is free for both commercial and personal use. Get it here: http://www.recuva.com/"

It worked, I managed to restore all of the deleted files (They show up as .Ink files. I then copied them back into my start menu directory ( C:\programdata\microsoft\windows\start menu). They now show up on the start menu, but aren't clickable. I also tried to right-click, Expand on the folders, which didn't work either. (The icons that are direct shortcuts to programs are clickable, but the folders can't be expanded)

If anyone knows how to make these links active again, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

FYI: It appears from the screenshots that System Restore isn't working because you have the Volume Shadow copy Service disabled. However, it was probably disabled before, so re-enabling it now won't let you restore this stuff. However, if you want to be able to use SR in the future, you can re-enable the service.

Look in the Recycle Bin as AKA suggested... don't you have your deleted stuff in there?

You could also create another account, and copy the new user's Programs folder to your start menu directory. Then drag in whatever other shortcuts you like.

 

Mine never went to the recycle bin, so I could never recover from there. If you read my post above, I mention software I used to recover some of the file, but I never got my accessories back, and I still can't expand my folders

 

I had the same problem on windows vista ultimae.

I created a second Administrator account from the control panel and copy the programs folder from there.

For those wondering how to remove the "programs" folder from Windows vista start menu is as follows:

1. Go into the properties of the start menu (right click on task bar and then properties)
2. Start menu tab - Customize
3. Untick the " default programs"

I did the same thing and deleted the folder thinking that it was a duplicate

let me know if this works out for you...

 

I have since then reinstalled Vista. Thanks for the help anyway.