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

Windows Vista

1. Open the start menu.
2. Click Computer.
3. Double-click on the Local Disc (C:) icon (May be named slightly different on some computers).
4. Click an empty space on the address bar (Bar at top of screen that says Computer > Local Disc (C:)).
5. Type C:\ProgramData and press enter/return.
6. Open the Microsoft folder.
7. Open the Windows folder.
8. Open the Start Menu folder.
9. Open the Programs folder.

Tips

• When you are in the Documents and Settings folder, you would generally want to open the folder of the username that you are currently using.
• If some programs are missing, try accessing All Users inside Documents and Settings, instead of your username.
• The full address for Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Start Menu\Programs and for Windows Vista is C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu.