Any one know if there is a way to set the Start Menu to only display
the recent programs I want, instead of anything that has been launched a
few times.

In otherwords, I only want games and utilities to show up there.
Not something that launches as a result of a double click on a specific
media type.
Never put like, notepad, msword, VLC, and autolaunch type stuff.
(I keep stuff like that on the task bar instead anyways)

I want to somehow "Ban" certain apps from being placed in there completely.
(the left side quick launch area, not the "All Programs" area)

thx...

Not sure which area you are talking about. You mentioned quick launch. Are you talking about the 'quick launch' area just to the right of the Start button? This is what XP calls the Quick Launch area. I am able to completely control what gets put there. Nothing just appears by double clicking a file.

RM

no...sorry...I shouldn't have used the word "quick launch"...my bad...

When you click the start button, they are on the left hand side,
within the start menu itself. Just above the "All Programs" button.
They are recently launched program icons put there automatically.
By default, it allows the 6 most recently used programs for fast access.
(I think this start menu section is called "shortcuts")

I want certain program icons to never get put there automatically.

Maybe this will work. Right click Start button, choose Properties. Then click Customize. Set Number of Programs on Start Menu to 0. Hit apply. Now you can drag and drop what programs you want to be there to the same unused area. This worked for me. You can also use the Customize to get rid of lots of other un needed XP crap.

RM

While your doing what RichMan says in the General tab, click on the Advanced tab and near the bottom uncheck "List My Most Recently Opened Documents" Also click on "Clear List"

Ah yes - RichMan,
Very good work around. I didn't think of that.
...and unless someone else posts with some sort of
registry hack or something, what I wanted is probably
not real doable. thanks...

Bob - Nice addition...
I did that on day one.
I hate those recent documents too...

If you guys hate some of the other stored "recent" stuff like:
retained search words, browser histories, temp files, etc.
Check out "CCleaner".
It wipes away a lot of those annoying auto "recent" entries
in windows and other apps too. It's great.

thx

yep i use CCleaner also

Hey Aquatarkus95

This is probably not exactly what you want, but this will give some insight on some manipulation with what is called group policies.

Click on Start
Click on Run
Type gpedit in the box
Select User Configuration
Select Administrative Templates
Select Window Components
Select Start Menu + Taskbar

On the right window you will have some policies in which you can manipulate. Clicking on each one will give you a brief description on the left of what each policy does. Right click and select properties to change the policies configuration.

Sorry, Type gpedit.msc

Can't you just right click and delete what you don't want?

Always worked for me.

Yep...caught the .msc and was in there before your correction

That is a very handy direct way.
You can kill them one at a time from one big list,
instead of tabbing through the various properties sections.
Never knew it existed.

Cool Tip !
thx

You could also right-click on the apps you want in there and selecting "Pin to Start Menu" will insert new shortcuts, forcing out the frequently used programs one by one.

Your welcome.