Windows 10 Start Menu - A Working Solution

[Gongalong]

Is there a way to get Classic Shell to show standard Win 10 menus, but still allow it to customise the apps list? I'm guessing not, but just to double check.

[bondbill2k2]

Nearly there now, just a pain it says 'waiting' if you click on start soon as the computer desktop loads

[win]

Does the latest version of classic shell (4.3.0) work well with Windows 10 edu 1703?

 

I notice the original post is Dec 2015 so was wondering how it is all going with updated versions.

[newpersn]

Does the latest version of classic shell (4.3.0) work well with Windows 10 edu 1703?

 

I notice the original post is Dec 2015 so was wondering how it is all going with updated versions.

 

Works fine on V1703 latest CU aswell.

[ITGuyNW]

I'm struggling with all this Start Menu business. Does Start Menu redirection work at all with either the normal Win 10 start menu or the Classic Start Menu program?

[Gongalong]

The former only seems to work if you use local profiles.

[mdrabble]

The way I have managed to get a working start menu is by using Computer GPP (Computer -> Preferences -> Windows Settings -> Shortcuts) to create all shortcuts on the local drive eg. C:\Shortcuts\Staff

 

Yes it is a pain to create them but once done it just a case of added new shortcuts when you install new apps.

 

Once shortcuts sorted, I then redirect the Start Menu to the local folder - this also help when creating the Start Menu layout.

 

Start Menu layout - uses - "%SystemDrive%\Shortcuts\Staff\Microsoft Office\Microsoft Word 2016.lnk"

 

Not had any issue using this method.

 

Hope that helps

Edited July 14, 2017 by mdrabble

[win]

The way I have managed to get a working start menu is by using Computer GPP (Computer -> Preferences -> Windows Settings -> Shortcuts) to create all shortcuts on the local drive eg. C:\Shortcuts\Staff

 

Yes it is a pain to create them but once done it just a case of added new shortcuts when you install new apps.

 

Once shortcuts sorted, I then redirect the Start Menu to the local folder - this also help when creating the Start Menu layout.

 

Start Menu layout - uses - "%SystemDrive%\Shortcuts\Staff\Microsoft Office\Microsoft Word 2016.lnk"

 

Not had any issue using this method.

 

Hope that helps

 

Sounds like a simple solution

 

Using this method what does the start menu look like? Is it a W10 style menu or a window with some shortcuts in it?

 

How about items like log off, shutdown?

[mdrabble]

Sounds like a simple solution

 

Using this method what does the start menu look like? Is it a W10 style menu or a window with some shortcuts in it?

 

How about items like log off, shutdown?

 

Looks like the proper Windows 10 Start Menu - by using the shortcut method via GPP Ive pinned Logoff to the Start Menu - Shutdown is enable from the Start Menu

 

[win]

Impressive!

 

Think i'll give this a go first, but how did you get rid of built-in apps like powershell etc? Will it only show the apps listed in the GPP shortcuts and nothing else?

[AJWhite1970]

Here is my effort using old style menus redirected to c:\startmenu and also running a shared network desktop (this is Windows 1703)

 

A script copies in the correct start menu from the network for the user on login (staff, student, admin etc), takes a couple of seconds as they are all small .lnk files

 

Works really well

 

[mdrabble]

Impressive!

 

Think i'll give this a go first, but how did you get rid of built-in apps like powershell etc? Will it only show the apps listed in the GPP shortcuts and nothing else?

 

Using the GPP method only mean that only installed applications have the shortcuts created and redirecting the startmenu to the local folder means only shortcut in that local folder appear on the start menu.

[mdrabble]

Here is my effort using old style menus redirected to c:\startmenu and also running a shared network desktop (this is Windows 1703)

 

A script copies in the correct start menu from the network for the user on login (staff, student, admin etc), takes a couple of seconds as they are all small .lnk files

 

Works really well

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44540[/ATTACH]

 

I like the info on the desktop - what did you use? BGInfo?

[thimon]

How about items like log off, shutdown?

 

Not too fussed about adding a shutdown tile as there's a power icon in the bottom left of the start menu, the log off tile is handy as users don't realise they have to click the user icon to then select log off. I was helped with the layout from a user on here. All done via xml file.

 

Edited July 14, 2017 by thimon

[AJWhite1970]

I like the info on the desktop - what did you use? BGInfo?

 

Correct, BGInfo

[mdrabble]

Didn't know you could get BGInfo to display other details...... going to go have a play

[AJWhite1970]

Didn't know you could get BGInfo to display other details...... going to go have a play

 

If you play with custom fields what you can report on with BGInfo is almost limitless

 

[win]

Is there a GP setting to get rid of the view as 'Windows Start Menu' button?

 

[sparkeh]

So, is anyone using CS with v1703? I've read a few accounts of bugs on the CS forum and a promised update for 1703 has not materialised yet with the developer saying it's not being developed as actively as it was.

 

Quite worrying as I've played with the native start menu is 1703 and it's still borked [emoji20]

[3s-gtech]

I last used it with 1607 - I found that when I switched to 1703 the XML starting working properly so I went back to native. Sorry! My experience of the Start Menu with 1703 is dependent on the profile type - I use local and super mandatory profiles.

[sparkeh]

I last used it with 1607 - I found that when I switched to 1703 the XML starting working properly so I went back to native. Sorry! My experience of the Start Menu with 1703 is dependent on the profile type - I use local and super mandatory profiles.

 

Thanks I'll have another crack. I do want I use the native menu, perhaps I just need more time working on it. I may be calling on you [emoji3]

[Patrick]

Ok, bit odd this one. I'm using classic shell, and if i don't have the staff security group set to write for the redirected start menu folder i can't pick the redirect up. Also, when it is set to R/W it fills the rediretced folder with the system generated folders, such as admin tools and powershell, but does get items i place in there on the server. Anyone any ideas?

[Blue_Cookeh]

Not too fussed about adding a shutdown tile as there's a power icon in the bottom left of the start menu, the log off tile is handy as users don't realise they have to click the user icon to then select log off. I was helped with the layout from a user on here. All done via xml file.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44541[/ATTACH]

 

 

That's looking pretty slick... I might be stealing that one off you. Do you mind posting the XML file you used?

[sparkeh]

I found that when I switched to 1703 the XML starting working properly

Initial tests seem to confirm this. All the problems I was having with 1511 and 1607 xml layouts *seem* to be resolved. The layouts are deploying and behaving themselves.

[Homer]

I'm having the opposite! I'm having a mare with it, I'm using Edu with the wim modified to remove all the crud. First log in, no installed apps (other than modern apps) are even listed in the menu let alone show as icons. Second log in, the xml applies and anything installed also shows up. Anybody seen this, and if so, how did you resolve it?!

 

*tears hair out*