We saw how to add the Videos folder to the Windows Vista Start menu. Here is another registry hack to add the Downloads folder to the Start menu by replacing Games.
Note: The registry hack below replaces Games link in the Start menu with Downloads. If you apply this hack, the Games Explorer functionality will get disabled. However, you can run individual games from Start, All Programs, Games folder. Also, instructions are provided in this article on how to reverse the changes.
Replacing Start menu Games with Downloads
1. Download downloads-sm-vista.zip and save the file to your Desktop
2. Unzip the file and extract the two .REG files to your Desktop
3. Right-click on the file downloads_sm.reg and choose Merge
4. Click Yes when asked for confirmation.
5. Logoff and login back (or restart explorer.exe) so that the Start menu is updated.
Editor’s Note: The Info Tip text ("Play and manage games on your computer") that appears when you hover the mouse cursor over the Videos icon seems to be unchangeable.
Undo Information
To reverse the above registry hack, right-click on the file undo-downloads_sm.reg (included in the above Zip file) and choose Merge. Click Yes when asked for confirmation. Logoff and login back.
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Awesome hack, thanks!
Thanks for the hack, but how do I have Videos *and* Downloads on the Start Menu instead of choosing which one replaces Games? Could you release a tool to replace something like “Favorites”, “Default Programs” or “Help and Support” with Videos or Downloads too? It’d be much appreciated.
Thank you so much! This problem has been driving me nuts. Exactly what I was looking for.
I second Henrik’s request. Actually I’m looking for a way to have a shortcut to the “Desktop” folder replace the Music folder, or, even better, a more general guide (or a link to one) for modifying those start menu shortcuts… as I can’t seem to find any
I wish there was a way to add this downloads folder to the start menu by replacing the music folder instead of the games one. If you have the time, make one like that. I never use the music folder, I have iTunes for that.
This should be helpful to:
1) Change different items into different other folders (Music->Downloads, Pictures->Whatever), so you can just swap out the one(s) you don’t use.
2) Make them open as menus instead of showing them as links. Simply go to the start menu options and specify the setting for the folder you swapped (for example Music).
The link is: http://www.winvistaclub.com/t52.html
Heei! Thanks a lot for this little thing, I wished to have downloads folder there for ages.
I don’t know if you need it anymore since you comment is form july, peter, but you can get it to open as a menu once you use hack. After you’re done you right click on the taskbar, properties, start menu and there you click customize, there will be a list showing what folders you have in your start menu. Scroll down to games folder and underneath it clik open this folder as a menu! That’s all ;)
Have a nice day guys :D
Thank you tons for this! I’ve wished that Downloads could be in the start menu for quite a while now! haha
Thanks for the information! One question:
Is there a way to replace a folder on the start menu with anything else using a registry hack? I wanted to replace the useless Games folder with another folder that I created that isn’t a standard part of Vista (unlike Videos, Downloads etc.). I understand the registry hack has something to do with the CLSID of the folder, but I don’t know how to obtain the CLSID of the folder. I’m also totally ignorant of how the registry works, so it’s all a bit confusing.
If you can help at all, I’d be most grateful.
Is there any way to get it to open as a menu, and not a link please?