How to create custom Start menu shortcuts on Windows 10

We’ve covered the Start menu in extensive detail on AddictiveTips. Among the many things we’ve covered is how to pin items to the Start menu, including apps, files, folders, shortcuts, drives, and more. In some cases, pinning an item requires using some sort of a workaround, and the process is somewhat tedious to follow.

Custom Start menu shortcuts

When you pin an item to the Start Menu that is not an app, it normally has limited options, i.e., you won’t see the same options that a pinned app tile has. To create a custom Start menu shortcut, one that behaves exactly like an app, you have to use Start Menu Manager.

Note: Windows Defender flags Start Menu Manager as a potentially unwanted app, but it is safe to use. VirusTotal gives it a clean bill of health. It is open-source on Github.

1. Download Start Menu Manager from Github.
2. Install the app.
3. Run Start Menu Manager.
4. Click ‘Add Shortcut.’
5. Open/Expand the new shortcut.
6. Open the ‘Shortcut type’ dropdown, and select the item type (file, folder, app) that you’d like to create a shortcut for.
7. Enter a name for the shortcut in the ‘Shortcut Name’ field.
8. Click ‘Select’ next to the ‘File Path’ field and select the file/folder/app/etc., that you want to create the shortcut for.
9. Select an icon in the Icon field. You can use a custom icon, or use one of the icons that the app provides.
10. Click Generate Shortcut.

11. A Command Prompt window will open and close. When it closes, the shortcut has been created.
12. To pin the shortcut, open the Start Menu.
13. Go to the Apps’ list.
14. Expand the ‘SMM Shortcuts’ folder.
15. Locate the shortcut you just created, and right-click it.
16. Select ‘Pin to Start.’

Creat icon file

When you create a custom shortcut with the Start Menu Manager, you can use a custom icon. To create an icon from a PNG image, follow these steps.

1. Find a suitable image in PNG format to use as an icon.
2. Visit ICO Convert.
3. Upload the image.
4. Click Convert ICO.
5. Download the icon file.

Note: Do not use copyright protected images. Not clear how this works? We have a detailed guide here.

Delete Start Menu Shortcut

To delete a shortcut created by Start Menu Shortcut, follow these steps.

1. Open Start Menu Manager.
2. Click the dustbin icon next to the shortcut you want to delete.
3. Confirm you want to delete the shortcut and it will be removed.

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Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

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