Read the rest to learn more and see change log and the demo video
Change log
2.7.0.0Fixed "move to group" behavior: first item in the group was not visible until you restart the app.
Minor changes for better support of Windows 10.
2.6.0.0
New feature - "Add an Administrative Tools item" allows you to add any Administrative Tools item quickly and easy.
2.5.0.2
Workaround with Program Files(x86) folder. Now shortcuts to that folder will be displayed properly in Win+X menu.
2.5.0.1
Bug fixed: if you try to add a shortcut which is already in Win+X menu folder, then application will show you .NET framework error.
2.5.0.0
- New feature - "Add a Control Panel item" allows you to add any control panel applet including hidden like "Network Connections" or "All Tasks(God Mode)".
- Improved icons resolving for Win+X menu items
- "Add a program" now not a button but drop-down menu.
- Some very minor non-critical bugs are fixed
2.0.0.1
Fixed a bug with built-in items renaming
2.0
- hashlnk is not required anymore, all its functions are ported into the Win+X Menu Editor source code
- Numerous bugs are fixed, such as sorting bug or crash on empty Win+X menu
- Improved "add a program" feature
- New clean and useful UI with hotkeys, new icons
- The ability to move shortcuts between groups
- New feature - "Presets", which allows you to add various commands in Win+X menu, such as shutdown options, calculator and so on.
1.0.0.3
Fixed a bug with Windows 8 RTM.
1.0.0.2
Improved *.lnk file handling. You need no rename Win+X menu items anymore, it uses file display name instead of lnk target.
1.0.0.1
Added support to Windows 8 Release Preview
1.0
Initial release
Here is the demo video of Win+X Menu Editor
With Win+X Menu Editor you are able:
- to add new items.
- to remove any item of Win+X menu.
- to change display name of any item of Win+X menu.
- to reorder Win+X menu items.
An addition information
Win+X Menu Editor is based on the hashlink (http://www.withinwindows.com/2012/04/04/windows-8-secrets-the-winx-menu-and-its-hashing-algorithm/) source code by Rafael Rivera. Please respect him.
Main icon is daKirby309's "Desktop (http://dakirby309.deviantart.com/)" icon + mspaint.exe
The Win+X Menu Editor is available in two editions - x86 and x64. Don't use x86 version on Windows x64.
Donate options for satisfied users:
Comments
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I love this its faster and easier to use... no need for old start Menu. Thanks guys!!! Keep it up a good work.
i can't download Latest version 1.0.0.2. How can i do?
Is there a version for Win7? (when I click Win+X in a laptop I get the Windows Mobility Center... I wish I can add items to that menu). Thanks a lot! Your works are wonderful xme.
Thank you for your appreciation of Win+X Menu Editor.
Unfortunately, I can't offer something like this for Windows 7
It appears as though actions on the menu within recent versions of Windows 8 will kill the menu altogether (and it doesn't return bringing back the defaults). Perhaps creating a new user profile will get it back. This may be a bug.
Thank you very much for report!
I have fixed the issue.
Is there any way to make a drop down item for "All programs" and "Log off"?
it is not possible
Nice Tweak !!!!!!!! But everytime I press apply all icons on the desktop are mixed together!
everytime I click apply:
all icons on the desctop are on a different place
my "fingerprint" programm (virtual airprint server from collobos) gives up, disappears from the taskbar, the fingerprint-service is also corrupted. I have to restart the service and kill the fingerprint task and start again.
Pretty much work......!sad!unsure
everytime I click apply:
all icons on the desctop are on a different place
my "fingerprint" programm (virtual airprint server from collobos) gives up, disappears from the taskbar, the fingerprint-service is also corrupted. I have to restart the service and kill the fingerprint task and start again.
Pretty much work......!
Have been using a few weeks now. Thank you.
Excellent program. Mine has the bare essentials:
Shutdown Link to shutdown VBScript File
Control Panel Link to Control Panel
File explorer Link to Computer Explorer
--------------------
User folders Link to my pictures, videos, documents, etc.
Program Apps Link to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\
Start Menu\Programs (was hidden)
Desktop Link to Desktop
I created a shortcut for the Windows Update but it doesn't add to the menu. It's strange because it worked for everything else I tried...
Can you share your shortcut?
I right clicked the control panel icon in the "system and security" to create a shortcut. The shortcut has target "Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Update".
i will try to fix this issue in upcoming version 2.0
i just can't add any of my applications to the menu, except those presets.
im using the latest version of your program in the environment of win8 rtm
hmm
How I can reproduce the issue?
Your Windows 8 is x86 or x64?
Hi. Great program. I have the same issue as ZZZ, in that I created a shortcut to Network Connections and then added it to the editor. It shows in the editor but doesn't appear in the Win + X Menu. Shortcuts created to ordinary programs works fine, so it must be Control Panel shortcuts it has a problem with.
Is this fixable, or is there a workaround/different method we can use?
this is NOT fixable, but we can use a different method
We can use shell commands for that purposes. I will publish all of them so you can easily create the required shortcut.
Also I will add such option to next version. I think I will do it today or tomorrow.
Right now you can create shortcut using
explorer.exe shell:ConnectionsFolderas shortcut target
ZZZ, for "Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Update" you can use
Perfect - thanks very much.
The Network and Sharing Center shortcut worked for me, the only that didn't work was the Windows Update.
I'll try the shell command. Thx.
Same as @hellq.
Only presets working. Unable to add to menu any .exe that I've tried.
They appear on Win+X Menu Editor interface, but never shows on Win+X menu.
Win 8 Pro 64-bit retail here (build 9200).
Kudos for the app, anyways, B'dozer.
Guys, please, if you have issues with this software, tell me more details
Which app you tried to add?
Please specify the full path to exe file.
I have no ideas how I can reproduce the bug without that information.
I will try to fix a bug once I repeat it.
I tried to add Firefox, and MS Office's Outlook.
As I said, I'm running Win 8 Pro 64-bit retail (build 9200).
So I ran Win+X Menu Editor (64-bit version), clicked on 'Add Program' button, navigated to 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox', and choose firefox.exe.
When asked "Please enter new name", I simply put Firefox (with a capital F), and OK.
Firefox showed up at the top of Group 3, then I clicked "Restart Explorer".
(continue)
Firefox didn't appear in Win+X menu. I closed the app, ran it again (as Administrator), repeated the same steps, same result. Again with Outlook (C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\Outlook.exe), with same result.
Interesting, I tried then to add Group 4 and move Firefox to it. When I restarted explorer, The Win+x menu showed up with a division line ABOVE 'Programs and Features' (which is the top App for Group 3), but with nothing above that line.
I added presets then, to Group 4 (Notepad and Paint). Restarted explorer and both presets showed up ok on Win+X menu.
That's the stuff I remember, since it's saturday and all that happened @work PC.
By monday I'll be able to conduct other tests and give you some further feedback, if I must.
Sorry for the english. Regards..
Thanks you very much for this report.
Fixed. Please re-download.
I will do more workarounds for x86 resources in Windows x64 in near future.
Thanks a lot for this very nice piece of software !
The latest version 2.5.0.2 works absolutely perfectly on my Win 8 Pro x64 ...
Keep up with the excellent work !
add feature to add item+icon at the win-x menu.
impossible to add
Great tweak!!, could you please add an option for Administrative tools shortcuts similar to the control panel shortcuts.
Sure I can. I will add it today
clemme, but it is already there. Looks like you use x86 version in Windows 8 x86.
Please use x64 version of this software.
Ah, I get it. You meant that you want to add 'administrative tools' items in way like Control panel items.
This is very good suggestion, i will implement it.
Neat, but can I ask for two extras. As I use the Win X a lot it grows a bit large with addins. Is it possible to group items together and have a subset rather like items in a folder. So all the power options are under one collective, rather as is the desktop cascade menu. So selecting say Power opens a further cascade menu.
On the User\LocalApps\Microsoft\Windows\WinX the items show icons but these do not show on the actual Win X menu can they be shown as its then easy to find an item. Thanks
Can't rename group. Next release can u add support of parameter to app?
1. Win+X menu shows groups as separator. So name of group means nothing
2. I will add parameter to app. This is very good suggestion.
So I plan to start work on new version today, at evening. I will try to add command line parameters and Administrative tools.
Hi I think your program is the best .I love programs that are productive and wish I was smart enough to do what you do .Every thing works great but was wondering what the advanced boot options is supposed to do?When I click on it, it does nothing. Any advice would be appreciated .And THANK YOU AGAIN
very good!!
Is there a way to add a keyboard shortcut for my new Win+X shortcuts (just like Command Prompt Admin can be triggered by Win+X,A)
Use "&" in shortcut title
For example - &Your app => Win+X,Y
Hi, thanks for that useful tool.
i still didn't figure out how to create an icon that opens that win+x menu and to add it to the taskbar.
what do you think about a feature that would create an icon on desktop or even in taskbar?
stanko, it can be done via simple AutoHotkey or AutoIT script.
Thanks for your answer! I am not really save in using tools like that ones you've suggested. I hope you will at least consider to add some small and convenient options like "add link to destop" or "add link to taskbar"
i will not add that feature in app, but i will share a script in blog
If you right click bottom left most corner of the screen on the taskbar, you get the Win+X menu already.
@sergey
Thanks. i am eager to see how that would work. Does such a script require autohotkey/autoit to work in background? or dies the script work alone?
@guest
hey, that's a good advice. didn't know that would work. thanks!
@stanko
Maybe the script is not required since you can accept the right click?
yep. right click is totally enough for me.
How can I use Restart with no delay, as you have established for Shutdown option?
Thanks!
you can run the following command
shutdown /r /t 0Hi!
I tried to add a command in its own group at the end of the win+x menu. But each new group is added to top of menu and furthermore the position of groups is not movable. Could you add movable groups for the sake of convenience?
i must agree with pacman.39s post. Using restart without delay seems reasonable.
sergey, maybe you could give opportunity to define shutdon/testart/... behaviour somehow?
Thanks for your very nice and useful tool.
Please can you add the following control panel item in the list:
Color Management, and the command is : control /name Microsoft.ColorManagement
Thanks for this nice program! , very useful!
Regarding what Stanko has been posting about , the right/click to open that has been mentioned is only available with a mouse! .. it's not available on a tablet/touch device!!
One of the great oddities with Windows 8 ... a touch friendly OS where the much vaunted Win+X menu has no way to get to it on a tablet ...
You mention Sergey that there is a script to do this , can you share please?
Thanks again!
Hello
can you tell me how to restore the default windows shortcut for the charms menu to win+X?
Thanks!
you can use "restore defaults" option of menu in the right upper corner.
no submenues?
and 'all programs' / 'all apps'
It is NOT POSSIBLE.
I have implemented all that was possible.
is it possible to change the look of the sepeartor, currently it is invisible, but i would prefer a dotted line:
--------------------------
like this
AFAIK, it depends on current theme/Visual Style.
So, it is possible with custom VS.
the line is there already
(its just to light for my primary monitor to display 
) and yea i figured it was part of the theme file..
also ive been meaning to ask you about theming, more specifically how to get white text in the title bar (as my current theme has just about everything how i like except that)
Very nice little applet. Would it be possible to add an option to export/save the settings for importing/using on another system so that we wouldn't have to manually do it all over again?
Love the tool. Would like to have the option "disconnect" when using a terminal session.
How do I configure a program to run in the context of an administrator with this program?
Hi I'm still using it as replacement desktop start menu.
I have shortcut links to both start menu programs folders,
C:\Users\my name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Just wondering, is there a way to have one link that puts all program links, and folders into one,
instead of the giant start screen, which has both apps and programs?
MS is hiding it somewhere!
@ andrewscott48209 - 14th May: How do I configure a program to run in the context of an administrator with this program?
Was just looking for that; Win+X Editor doesn't seem to have the functionality inbuilt - but it's pretty easy to configure yourself.
You will need to go to the file properties of each the program chosen:
-For Programs:
Right Click on it > Properties > Compatibility (Tab) > Privilege Level >
(Tick) Run this program as administrator > Apply
-For Shortcuts:
Right Click > Properties > Shortcut (Tab) > Advanced (Button) > (Tick)
Run as Administrator > Ok > Apply
NGayanP
It would be great if there was an option to export/import the settings...
A few things.
Could Win 8.1 update kill off this great mod editor that you made?
If Win 8.1 comes out with fly out selection on some Win+X items, would it be possible for you to mod it,
so I can link a fly out programs menu?
For right now, I have link in Win+X, to minimal Classic Shell programs menu, with Autoit Win and P sendkeys.
Very nice tool. I hope there will be a version available in the Windows Store as well. Win+X Editor cannot be used now on Windows 8 RT.
Program works fine in Win 8, but it has a erratic work with Windows 8.1 Preview.
I hope that you develop a new version that works with 8.1.
What does 'erratic' means in this case?
Does it crash for you?
Hello, I was wondering if I can mention your great software on my youtube channel?
Need help.
Is it possible to incorporate "7 stacks" shortcut to work in editor?
No support for Windows 8.1? The default view is displaying items incorrectly...
Hello Guys,
Can someone please tell me how add a dash below any alphabet so that on pressing that alphabet that application opens ...
I can't seem to find any method to accomplish this task ...
Please help someone ....
I updated to windows 8.1 and all the presets are displayed in double. Any idea how this can be fixed?
Hi.
Using in Win8.1 now. Still working ok, but
it doesn't show the new shutdown menu in editor.
Would like to put shortcut to Bootuituner in shutdown menu.
Any update program coming out?
Hello
The new shutdown menu is hardcoded, no chance to change it!
I am sorry, this is not possible.
Ok, I understand. I will just place shortcut in different group.
Thank you for this program, as well as all the other ones.
Can I add "Programs" (all programs) with a DROP DOWN menu like "Shut down or sign out"?
You cannot.
It would be nice to have an option to sort the entries in a group.
Hi,
Really nice program here and can see it also works with server 2012 R2.
I really think you could help a lot of it administrators for Microsoft Terminal solution on 2012 R2, if you have the option to expand the functionality to apply the changes for all users?
Is this possible?
Another approached is, if you were able to make a GPO (admx), were it was possible to close down the context items?
Hope you could be in a assistance of this?
Francesco, take a look on the right edge of the app's window. This feature is there since the first release.
hede, I have to think.
Whatever I do, I could not add "Internet Information Services (IIS)"
Everything else Works OK, but not IIS (Administrative Tool)
Serge, what I mean by an option to sort the entries in a group is more of a command that will simply sort all the entries in a group alphabetically. For example, in Firefox, if you right click on a bookmarks folder you see a command called "Sort by Name" which does this. The commands you have to move entries up or down is more of a way to do manual sorting. Thanks
What do you do if Win + X does not open the menu? (I work at an ISP and a lady today had new laptop - probably Win 8.1, and Win + R works, but Win + X did nothing.)
I press "Reset defaults" in that case
Hi, great tool;-) Is it possible to Export and Import this additional Settings for other User from the commandline? Thanks Urs
How to add icons?
Attempted to restore defaults, and application crashed with: System.IO.DirectoryNotFoundException: Could not find a part of the path 'M:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX'.
M: is a network drive (wrong drive). Should be using C:
With Windows 8.1 Update 1:
Is there a way to get rid of the "Shutdown or Signout" submenu in the Windows 8.1 Update 1 Win+X Menu?
I would rather just have the Shutdown be an item directly on the menu.
Looking in:
C:\Users\{User}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group1
There is no shortcut for the Shutdown submenu. It acts very strange and I don't understand how this submenu is added to the Win+X Menu.
It is hardcoded. Now way to get rid of those items.
Thanks for the response Sergey!
Good job Microsoft! First they use Encrypted Shortcuts for all the items for the WinX Menu. This certaiinly makes it more difficult to customize so people wouldn't be able to use the WinX Menu as a kind of Start Menu. Microsoft would much rather have us use the Metro Start Screen.
And then with Windows 8.1 Update 1, they make some extra special hard coded Shutdown shortcuts which can't be modified at all. This is even worse than the Encrypted Shortcuts.
I don't really understand why Microsoft is taking this approach to the Win+X Menu. Why not just use normal shortcuts for the whole thing?
Thank you Sergey for all the great WinAero utilities! They fix many of the mistakes that Microsoft is making.
In Win8.1 64bit, when starting the program, it pops up an Error Box with the exception message:
"Could not find a part of the path C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools"
The above folder exists, but the app can't find it...
Brilliant... thanks for your work!
Hi and tks for your great app. I have tried to add the recent items folder, but i did not succeed. Please, do you have any suggestion? Thanks.
I tried to add a Recent Items shortcut to Windows 8’s Quick Access Menu using Win+X Menu Editor in Windows 8.1.
When I click on "open" I get the message:
Recent Items
You don't have permission to open this file.
Contact the file owner or an administrator to obtain permission
There is only one user and it is an admin account.
I added the WinX Menu editor to the WinX Menu.
If you choose to do this go to this folder:
C:\Users\USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX and right click on the WinX shortcut in which ever group you have added it, choose advanced, and check run as administrator.
If you do not do this, it will not order your entries in the order you choose.
Is it possible to add a hotkey shortcut to added programs, like how pressing a after windows + x will open Command Prompt (Admin)?
I installed (in Windows 10) the the program „Win+x Menu Editor“.
I choosed „Restore defaults“ .
Here ist the result:
„Die Datei oder Assembly "Microsoft.WindowsAPICodePack.Shell, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null" oder eine Abhängigkeit davon wurde nicht gefunden“
Could you please tell me, what I have to do, that the program works?
Wolfgang,
Unpack ALL files included in the zip archive.
Also, don't run the app from the zip archive.
That's it.
Hallo Sergey,
thank you for your answer.
It was my mistake.
The program works.
Best regards from Germany
Wolfgang
Thanks for this wonderful peace of code and your hard work.
When I start the program, the following message pops up:
"Unhandled excepetion has occured...
...
Could not find a part of the path
C/Program Data/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs/Administrator Tools"
When I click continue, the program starts and the field with all the groups and commands is empty. when I click "restore default", all the items of the menu get visible.
can I fix this and how? (I am using Win10)
Great work!
How can I add items with Parameters e. g.
C:\Windows\System32\control.exe /name Microsoft.Personalization /page pageWallpaper
for Dektopbackground
The download gives old 2012 version.. what am I missing ?
Winaero can you make a software that edits the start button right click menu in Windows 7? The one that says "properties" and "open windows explorer"
Any idea why the software establishes an outgoing connection to 2604:a880:800:a1::367:9001 ?
Paranoid
It checks for a new version once its starts.
Nothing else.
I'd love to know what this program actually does. I mean how it gets past the hash calculation without modifying the DLL. Is there a place where the hash is stored and the app modifies the saved value to match the changes that are made in the folders?
I need to apply a change to multiple computers and would prefer to do it via a PS script or something.
@Demonwolf - Go read the article again, especially the "An addition information" section.
Hi
Is there any way to call WinX Editor from the command line, or other way of invoking it without using the interface? I'd love to be able to deploy this at logon to give custom menus for different groups of users....
Cheers,
JR