restore links in "all programs" startup menu

[hawkster27]

Today I managed to break all the links in the "All Programs" menu. (Let's just say the attempted Netscape 7 installation didn't go well, and leave it at that.) I reinstalled XP, and got some of them back, but not all. Is there any way to restore these links without reinstalling the actual programs?

 

[wolluf]

When you say you reinstalled XP - what sort of install was this (eg, was it a repair reinstall, or did you just do a new install 'on top' of existing installation, or something else)?

Because, unless it was a repair reinstall, most of the programs will need reinstalling too (as all registry entries and system files associated with them will have been removed).

If it was a repair reinstall, all the programs should still be installed properly (and in fact you'll still be in same position - apart from Windows apps, which the repair will probably have recreated shortcuts for you - which might account for 'got some of them back, but not all). Depending how you 'managed to break all the links in the "All Programs" menu' - did you delete stuff from All Users profile? - you may need to manually create shortcuts from the .exe files & place them in All Users Start Menu\Programs.

 

[hawkster27]

I did a Repair Install. Looks like manually creating the shortcuts is the way to go ... a bit tedious but doable.

In my thrashing around, somehow I lost all the data in "Documents and Settings", and it wouldn't restore from my backup. Dang.