Hi,

I would like to start a discussion on Windows 8.1 and the start menu. Windows 8.1 brought with it some changes however as far as I am concerned it is still far from what is needed with regards to management of the start menu.

The example I put to you is:

SOE has been developed and deployed. Start menu has been configured through copyprofile in the answer file. I now want to add a new title to the start menu which is a shortcut to an internet page as an example.

Now the issue I have with this is I know it can be done via GP and making use of the new Windows 8.1 options however this locks down the start menu. I still want users to be able to edit it. As I see it there is no way for this to be done.

I am now trying a work around where by creating a basic MSI program that simple installs a "shortcut" (Yet to be tested) but I was wanting to know if anyone else has this problem.

This is the only reason I am not moving ahead with company wide up

I have been deploying the shortcuts in the %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

But that only puts the shortcuts in the all apps section. Users have to pin them to the start menu themselves.

Hi Zac,

For Windows 8.1 you have two options in configuring the start menu. One you already mention, which is using Group Policy. From there an XML file can be used, which is exported from a 'reference' or template machine.

This can be done via the powershell command:

Export-StartLayout -Path C:\StartLayout.xml -as XML

Any guidance about that topic can be found here: Customizing the Windows 8.1 Start Screen?

However it is also possible to export the start screen layout as BIN file, and then apply it during the installation/deployment of a new computer (mostly done with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit or Config Manager 12)

This way the BIN file will be applied to the operating system drive, and all shortcuts from installed applications that where present at that time, will be applied to the newly deployed operating system.

However, apps that are not pre-provisioned, and internet shortcuts will not come back automatically, but they will assume their position, the original position that has been appointed when the BIN file was made.

So I'm not saying this is a solution, but hopefully provide you some insight in how it works. And perhaps you can work around it.

Because now you only need to find a way to provision the shortcut or application. And not the location.

Good

Thanks for the replies.

My aim is to be able to add\remove titles from a start menu without "resetting" it.

It would be great if we could simply edit the xml file that is generated through the Export-StartLayout command and then import it again but you can only import the .bin file.

Oh well. Hopefully Microsoft pull their finger out and listen to their uses rather than forcing people to work the way they want. The internet is full of forums on this issue alone let along everything else that is pissing people off in the enterprise environment.

Cheers,