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Windows XP: Killer Shortcut

The Start Menu is a great shortcut tool, so why not point it to a file system of your choice, or even to another computer? Dave Cook shows you how…

Adding a shortcut to a folder on the Start menu and then using the shortcut to open that folder in Windows Explorer is easy. What many users don’t know, however, is that the Start menu can be enhanced still further with a killer shortcut that points to your favourite place – even if that place happens to be situated on another computer.

By adding a shortcut that points to all (or part) of your file system, for example, cascading submenus will allow you to quickly access any point within that branch. The killer shortcut could point to a remote disk drive (as in our example), or to a shared My Documents folder.

Then, after creating the shortcut, you’ll be able to open all subfolders from the Start menu, just as you would a normal shortcut.

Menu For Two

Before we go any further it’s worth reminding ourselves that Windows XP actually offers two different versions of the Start menu: the default Windows XP-style menu, and the old-style Classic menu. How you create the new killer shortcut will depend on which Start menu you’re using.

To choose which different menu style suits you best, right click the Start button and choose Properties. Then from the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, select Start Menu or Classic Start Menu.

Here’s How

To add a branch of your file system to the Start Menu, go to Windows Explorer and select the parent folder, drive, or whatever. If the folder is part of a shared drive stored on a remote computer, you’ll find it in My Network Places.

Your selection will form the root of the cascading menu. Select and drag the icon for the root folder to the Start menu and hold it still for a moment while the Start menu opens.

Then, depending upon which Start menu you’re using:

·          Windows XP-style Start menu: drag the folder to the ALL PROGRAMS area, and wait for the ALL PROGRAMS menu to open. Then drag the folder to your chosen position and release the mouse button. Be aware that if you place the shortcut in the left portion of the Start menu (rather than the ALL PROGRAMS menu), you will only be able to open the root portion of the folder.

·          Classic Start menu: drag the folder to the top area of the menu. Choose the position of the shortcut and release the mouse button.

Congratulations! Your Start menu now contains your very own killer shortcut.