Frequently used programs not automatically added to the Start menu

This article discusses the circumstances in which a shortcut to a program is not displayed in the most frequently used list in the Start menu.

Microsoft Windows XP includes a new Start menu that automatically displays the user's most frequently used programs (a most frequently used list). Only shortcuts to .exe files are displayed in the list.

If any of the following strings are included in the shortcut name, the program is not displayed in the most frequently used list:

• Documentation
• Help
• Install
• More Info
• Readme
• Read me
• Read First
• Setup
• Support
• What's New
• Remove

The preceding list is located in the AddRemoveNames value at the following registry location: The following list of programs are excluded from the most frequently used list:

• Setup.exe
• Install.exe
• Isuninst.exe
• Unwise.exe
• Unwise32.exe
• St5unst.exe
• Rundll32.exe
• Msoobe.exe
• Lnkstub.exe
• Msascui.exe

The preceding list is located in the AddRemoveApps value at the following registry location: Programs can also be registered to be excluded from the most frequently used list by creating the following NoStartPage string value:

(The REG_SZ string value must be empty or blank) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Appname.exe

The following programs have the preceding setting by default:

• Explorer.exe
• Icwconn1.exe
• Inoculan.exe
• Mobsync.exe
• Navwnt.exe
• Realmon.exe
• Sndvol32.exe

For help with common system maintenance tasks in Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Web page: