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General discussion

artist names appear when i click programs

Oct 12, 2012 4:20AM PDT

artist names appear when i click programs
strange but true.
this is my wife's dell vostro laptop. she is not exactly computer literate.
i clicked on "programs" and all the artist names from media player are listed instead of programs.
this is the strangest thing i have ever seen in years of playing around with windows software and pcs in general.
any thoughts?

Discussion is locked

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I can make that happen. How?
Oct 12, 2012 4:32AM PDT

Before I reveal how, let's step back to how Menus on the Start button work.

The Start button and the groups there are FOLDERS and FILES in a specific folder on your PC.

So if I were to create a lot of files in the Programs menu folder, then it can do what you noted.

Also, if I were to be in some Explorer view of files and dragged them into the Start Menu/Programs then those would be added to said menu.

Fun to learn about that. Not a bug, not broken but often not explored by users and owners.
Bob

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OK the envelope please?
Oct 15, 2012 6:13PM PDT

OK the envelope please?

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(NT) What envelop?
Oct 15, 2012 6:16PM PDT
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(NT) What envelope? I offered Folders.
Oct 16, 2012 2:34AM PDT
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The envelope was ...
Oct 16, 2012 5:51AM PDT

already handed you.

Q. - What is "Programs"?
A. - A folder

Now take a look at C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs

Open the envelope.

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i guess i was not clear
Oct 18, 2012 6:38PM PDT

i guess i was not clear
i understood/understand what you stated in your first reply
i should have asked the question in a different way
she has no idea how it happened and i wondered myself; a hacker/malware do you suppose?
it seems to perfectly accomplished for her to have accidently performed

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I can make this happen very easily.
Oct 19, 2012 12:15AM PDT

Let's say I select 100 files and then drag and drop them on my Start/Programs menu. Blammo I have 100 more entries in my Start/Programs list.

Very easy to re-create.
Bob