How to Access Your Computer's Programs on Windows Without Using the Start Menu

May 2023 · 1 minute read

If your computer won't let you access all programs through the start menu, here's how to access them otherwise. Open the start menu.

Method 1 of 2:

Windows Vista

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    Open the start menu.

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    Click Computer.

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    Double-click on the Local Disc (C:) icon (May be named slightly different on some computers).

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    Click an empty space on the address bar (Bar at top of screen that says Computer > Local Disc (C:)).

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    Type C:ProgramData and press enter/return.

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    Open the Microsoft folder.

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    Open the Windows folder.

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    Open the Start Menu folder.

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    Open the Programs folder.

    • Method 2 of 2:

    Windows XP

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    Open My Computer, on your desktop.

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    Double-click on the Local Disc (C:) icon (May be named slightly different on some computers).

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    Open the Documents and Settings folder).

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    Open the user folder that you want to access programs from.

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    Open the Start Menu folder.

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    Open the Programs folder.

    • Micah Soto Micah Soto

    Update 04 March 2020

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