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How to use the free space under RUN in New Windows XP Start Menu

Did you ever notice the free space under Run in New Windows XP Start Menu?

Following tutorial will teach you how to use that free space for your own shortcuts, e.g., you can create a shortcut of Windows Media Player in that free space, as I have done in following screenshot:

Download following ZIP file:

add-wmp-shortcut-under-run-in-start-menu

Extract it and run the extracted .REG file. It'll ask for confirmation, accept it. Now you'll see a new entry for Windows Media Player under RUN. (You might required to log off to make changes).

In the above tutorial a few things can be changed for other shortcuts. You can change the entry name if you want.

The "Default Icon" is the path of the icon file, which is displayed for the shortcut. (NOTE: Double slashes are compulsory).

Similarly, the "Param1" in "Instance\InitPropertyBag" is the path of the executable file, which you want to create the shortcut for. (Double slashes are compulsory).

NOTE: This .REG file has been created assuming your Windows is installed in C: drive. If its installed in any other drive, then change the drive letter in "PARAM1" section of .REG file.

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20 Replies:

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noel said:

I was able to merge Run_Reg_Code.reg with my Registry. Now I can see Windows Media Player below Run...

What do I do next? When I click on it, a dialog box appears saying "Windows cannot create a shortcut here. Do you want Windows ..."

In case I decide to remove it, what do I do?

Thanks.
VG said:

Thats strange. It works here. If you want to remove it, then open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\

And remove the key {2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0} under it.

Or simply use following code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
Tom said:

Change
"Param1"="%Program Files%\\Windows Media Player\\wmplayer.exe"
TO
"Param1"="C:\\Program Files\\Windows Media Player\\wmplayer.exe"

Should work.
OddTodd said:

VG,

I tried this but it will not work, I cannot get the icon to appear nor can I get the shortcut to work, tried Tom's work-around, and a few ideas of my own.

I love this idea, I could really use this for other shortcuts, any ideas?

OddTodd

XP Home
trick said:

Hi Vishal..
How can i add other shortcuts ( apart from windows media player) under run command ... Thanks dude..
VG said:

^^ Not possible. You can only add one shortcut.
Riza said:

Wooooooooooooooow. You're the man.
I have huge empty space and now I will fill it up with my new shortcuts.
Riza said:

Ouch, I thought we can add more shortcuts.
Mever mind, I will add one interesting shortcut.
Thank you, man.
Tony J> said:

I think this is great, Thanks so much!

One Question I Have is: What is the coding for the icon locations for the shortcut:
for example: the "Run..." command has the InfoTip of "@explorer.exe,-7003" in regedit. Is that the location of the icon that it will use?

If what I said makes sense, could you help? Thanks

~T
VG said:

^^ "Default Icon" is the path of icon.