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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- Fix Special Folders Showing Up With Generic Yellow Icon in Windows 7
- Shell Commands to Access the Special Folders in Windows 7/Vista/XP
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eldin, I’m using Vista Home Premium 32-bit.
If I knew how to use the properties, I would have very well used those short-cuts. Please do not assume next time.
Lucide the title says VISTA START MENU, it does work cause actually i just did it. if you have WINDOWS 7 as you appear to have both downloads and videos shortcuts are installed by default on windows 7, you just have to “right click on start menu properties, and look for downloads and video shortcuts and add them as a link.
THIS WAS ONLY FOR VISTA, pls read next time.
Hack not working.
Instead, right click properties on start menu, check Favourites
open favourites folder, add download folder shortcut.
yh was on windows 7 rc and it shows as a link on the customize start menu there.
just not on vista…
really a poor effort tbh.
but at least with this tweak you can.
well one way i found to get both downloads and videos icons is to use Windows 7, lol.. it has both under start menu options. not vista, its either one or the other, suxs
dunno what u ppl r talking about.
just make sure that you right click on start then properties.
then customize (under the start menu tab)
and select GAMES (check box) – display as link.
and it works fine!
cheers!
and yes it replaces the games registry value and does not add another link :P
This isn’t working for me either. Windows Vista Business 32-bit SP1.
I believe it has worked in the passed because I currently have the downloads link in my start menu on my laptop. I am working on a new computer and cannot get it to work.
Any help or an alternative is greatly appreciated.
sounds like it just replaces the registry values for the original game box and not adding another link.
so i guess its only one or the other. i followed these steps to have the downloads folder in my start menu, but it deleted my previous folder which was my videos folder. i want both of them there. videos and downloads folder i use frequently.
Hey this registry hack is not working :( Could it be due to the service pack? Please confirm on ur end if its true.