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

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

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Windows Vista

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    Open the start menu.
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    2
    Click Computer.
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    3
    Double-click on the Local Disc (C:) icon (May be named slightly different on some computers).
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    4
    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.
  9. Image titled Access Your Computer's Programs on Windows Without Using the Start Menu Step 9
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    Open the Programs folder.

Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Windows XP

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    1
    Open My Computer, on your desktop.
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    2
    Double-click on the Local Disc (C:) icon (May be named slightly different on some computers).
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    3
    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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    6
    Open the Programs folder.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    I can't open Windows. I can get online, but when I click on "open," it just makes a tone and does nothing. What can I do?
    Sunbakedcow
    Sunbakedcow
    Community Answer
    Shut down the tower or unplug your computer.

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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 10 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 57,889 times.
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Co-authors: 10
Updated: July 2, 2020
Views: 57,889
Categories: Windows