Sorting Programs List by Name

[Midget]

The Start-->Programs list, just HOW can I force it to always be sorted in alphabetical order on the profiles? I use Re-directed folders for the menu list which is sorted by name on the server, but when a user logs in, it's in some random order.

any ideas?

[Geoff]

1. Click on Start
2. Click "All Programs"
3. Right click on one of the listed programs and
select "Sort by Name" from the context menu.

[Midget]

The users are unable to do that as they cannot right click

[Geoff]

Then set it in the Default User profile and/or your mandatory profile(s) (depending on what method you have for profiles).

[Midget]

Then set it in the Default User profile

just tried that and it does it the 1st time, but if more shortcuts are added, it just adds them to the bottom.

Close enough until i figure out flex profiles and implement that.

Good thing i'm reimaging all the machines atm ey?

[Heebeejeebee]

Then set it in the Default User profile and/or your mandatory profile(s) (depending on what method you have for profiles).

Yep, that seems to be the only way those of us who like neat and tidy start menus can do it. :?

I've personally given up making a new default profile each time a new app is deployed 'cos I've got better things to do and nobody else seems to care anyway.

HBJB

[mortstar]

Yep, that seems to be the only way those of us who like neat and tidy start menus can do it. :?

I've personally given up making a new default profile each time a new app is deployed 'cos I've got better things to do and nobody else seems to care anyway.

HBJB

Oh they care

The ICT CL is a stickler for these things. I like ordered start menu's - but he has all the machines "just so". I've spent ages sorting, copying to default profile, then sorting again and then copying back to default profile! (Otherwise "startup" folder starts at top of the list).

A simple way to do this via GP would be sooo appreciated. Microsoft should invest all resources into a fix for this!

[mac_shinobi]

It's reasonably easy to re-sequence the items on any Windows 98 cascading menu: hold down the left mouse button and drag a highlighted file or folder up or down the menu list. It's even easier to force the entire list into permanent alphabetical order. To sort the Programs or Favorites menus, open the Registry editor and drill down to one of the following keys:

...for the Programs menu:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder\Start Menu\&Programs\Menu

...for the Favorites menu:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder\Favorites

In either case, highlight the “Order” entry in the Contents pane, erase it, and the list will be in alphabetical order the next time Windows opens, as shown in this before-&-after view of the Programs menu. You'll find a similar Menu subkey under each of the &Program subkeys (Accessories, Games, . . . etc.). Follow the same procedure to put those lists in order too.

Source :

http://www.woram.com/REGTIPS.HTM

Not sure if it is the same but might be worth a try, if it works doing it manually ( in an admin account ) then you can make a vbscript that will delete that value from the registry as a logon / startup script ( whichever runs as a system service so that it has the rights / permissions to run so it can delete that one registry key )

[Heebeejeebee]

lol

Can't say I've had anyone comment on it but when we used to use a "local" Default User I would re-order the menus at the time of any re-image but now we use a Default User from the Netlogon folder it only has to be done once and it's applied system wide. Yay!!

HBJB

[Midget]

now we use a Default User from the Netlogon folder

How do you force windows to use that Default User?

[Heebeejeebee]

now we use a Default User from the Netlogon folder

How do you force windows to use that Default User?

Just copy a known good one into the Netlogon folder. It will be used in preference to the local one.

Right click "My Computer" go to Advanced then User Profiles/Settings. Pick the one you want and click "Copy To" make sure you make sure the Everyone group is put in the "Permitted To Use" section" , browse to the Netlogon folder on your logon server and copy it. You should add "Default User" to the path when you copy it eg the path will read \\logonserver\Netlogon\Default User with Default User bit added by you.

HBJB

[tosca925]

How do you force windows to use that Default User?

In AD open the users properties box and you will see a area to put the profile path. You can then point this to the server\netlogon folder\default user which should contain the profile man or DAT that you want to use. Have a look at the Wiki it explains on there in full and easy to follow instructions.

[Midget]

ooo ta HeeBee didnt know it would default to there.

I've been playing with our profiles recently (see the mand profs + macros thread) and this is a stop gap until i can sort something else out

[mortstar]

Edugeek, HBJB & Tosca ftw!

[GeeDee]

It's actually just a registry key. I've got a line in the login script which just deletes the 'order' registry key on logon and therefore reverts the programs menu to alphabetical again.

I'll have a look tomorrow and see which key it is.