Where Is the Windows Start Menu Folder?
Windows Start Menu Programs folders per user and machine-wide with app shortcuts.
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The Start Menu all-apps list renders two Programs folders merged: your profile's and the machine-wide one. New shortcuts appear in Start the moment they land in either.
Per-user installs write to the profile folder while machine installs use ProgramData. Duplicates in both show twice, which explains some ghost entries.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Your personal Start Menu entries live here. The machine-wide twin sits at C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. Type shell:programs and shell:common programs in Run to open each. Add or remove shortcuts with Explorer; changes reflect immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Why does an app appear twice in Start?
Shortcuts exist in both the per-user and machine-wide Programs folders above. Delete one copy to deduplicate.
How do I add a portable app to Start?
Drop its shortcut into your Programs folder above. It appears in the app list without any installer.
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