I am trying to add new folder to the start menu for all users. 'C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs' I can add a New Folder to this directory, but I can't rename to it. I'm logged in as an administrator, and I even tried launching windows explorer as an administrator to rename the folder, but no matter what I try I get the following message.'The action can't be completed because the folder or file is open in another program.'When I rightclick in the 'programs'folder to add the folder there is an Admin Shield next to the New Folder menu item, but the UAC permission dialog doesn't appear like it does when I perform the same operationin Vista.

As you have found out, launching an Explorer window by using Run as administrator will not result in a predicable action. By default, all Explorer instances will run in the context of a standard user requiring UAC acknowledgement. This is by design. There are, however, a couple of methods of doing what you are looking to do: Open an elevated command prompt and do everything you need to do at the command line level. Enable the actual local administered account by typing net user administrator /active:yes at an elevated command prompt. Do a switch user action, login as the actual local administrator and do what you need to do. When finished, log out and disable the local administrator account with net user administrator /active:no. Temporarily disable UAC (not recommended and it requires a reboot to take effect) and do what you need to do. Enable UAC when finished.

DarienHawk67 said: ... There are, however, a couple of methods of doing what you are looking to do: Open an elevated command prompt and do everything you need to do at the command line level. Enable the actual local administered account by typing net user administrator /active:yes at an elevated command prompt. Do a switch user action, login as the actual local administrator and do what you need to do. When finished, log out and disable the local administrator account with net user administrator /active:no. Temporarily disable UAC (not recommended and it requires a reboot to take effect) and do what you need to do. Enable UAC when finished. No offense, but as secure as it might be following the steps you mentioned, they are a little illogical for people like me, who likes to add folders to organize the different programs which one install, in order to test them in Windows 7. Specially since one cannot be using the "net user administrator step (yes)", changing to the "SUPER" administrator account, then changing the net user settings back to no every time one wants to just add a folder. This problem with the Start Menu was one of the first thing I did encountered and reported... as I am sure many also did... How I solved it: I went into C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows then right clicked on the Start Menu folder and gave myself full control to the folder under the Security tab... I mean, if my account is setup as admi why should I have to use the "SUPER" admi account.... I hope this helps some how...

Oh, no offense taken at all. There are easily multiple ways of doing things. As a matter of fact, your method is best and quickest. What I was really trying to is illustrate how the security model in Vista/7/2008 differs from the 2K/XP/2003 code base. There will be times where you will have to do the local admin dance, but this is not one of those times. Having an account with admin privileges on a Vista/7/2008 box is not the same as having an account with admin privileges on a 2K/XP/2003 box. MS made the much needed change due to everyone running their PCs in full admin mode which presents a large ad easy target for software that would rather do harm than good. For me personally, if I wanted to add a folder to the start menu, being I am the only one who uses my computer, I would have just added the new folder to C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu where I as the user have full rights. It would show under the Start Menu All Programs listing. However, in my professional life where I would want to add a folder for all users (a task that I would not do too often), I would do the local admin dance as there would probably be other things that I would need to do while logged as local admin. With your computer being yours, your solution is by far best if that is a task you do on a relatively frequent basis.

Thanks, All, for answering a problem that has vexed me too. Gargoyle_Juan, I particularly liked your. I tried it and it is easy and works. However, on several occasions moving an icon (such as MS Word or Excel) from the general listing to a folder like "Major Applications" results in the icon losing identity, and being displayed as a generic icon. The old trick of rt click on icon/properties/change icon........ does not fix it.Any ideas anyone?

M22472 said: Hi Since the release date of build 7000, users reported so many bugs related to this version. Microsoft Technet considered these reports thankfully and worked on fixing them in the later builds, 7022,7048,7057..etc. My request to Technet is to release a fixes list to users to save their time since there are no later versions to test right now. Microsoft Technet doing a great job but we are all willing to see some progress in between.. For example, adding a folder to start menu is now possible in build 7057, and other great fixes they made which was listed here by testers. I am not allowed to talk more about these leaked versions but Technet did a lot so far. Thank you guys That is a great idea! I definitely second a listing of fixes since build 7000 so that people can see if a particular issue has been resolved or if a feature has been implemented.

Johnny Rocker said: I am trying to add new folder to the start menu for all users. 'C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs' I can add a New Folder to this directory, but I can't rename to it. I'm logged in as an administrator, and I even tried launching windows explorer as an administrator to rename the folder, but no matter what I try I get the following message.'The action can't be completed because the folder or file is open in another program.'When I rightclick in the 'programs'folder to add the folder there is an Admin Shield next to the New Folder menu item, but the UAC permission dialog doesn't appear like it does when I perform the same operationin Vista.Hi Johnny,U can add new icons / folders or rename it by simply create it at desktop then drag and drop it at start menu.

Thanks, All, for answering a problem that has vexed me too. Gargoyle_Juan, I particularly liked your. I tried it and it is easy and works. However, on several occasions moving an icon (such as MS Word or Excel) from the general listing to a folder like "Major Applications" results in the icon losing identity, and being displayed as a generic icon. The old trick of rt click on icon/properties/change icon........ does not fix it. Any ideas anyone? TN_Yank, That problem with the icons I think is not just related to Windows 7. I do have the same problem too with Vista from time to time. The only way I do fix it (in Vista and Windows 7) is by doing the "right clicking/properties/change icon" as you mentioned... Yes, some applications seem to be harder than others and this solution may not work in the first try... but if you try a couple of times then you will get it. Otherwise, use the trick given by NovaLink, that also works for me... Lenovo 3000 N500 Intel(R) Dual Core T3200 @ 2.00GHz 2GB, SATA Drive, Intel GMA 4500M HD Using Windows 7 as only OS.