Vista's recently used program list is a liar.

[Evolution]

The Backup and Restore shows up because the systems uses it.... it apparently uses that program for system restore points....

[rich_75034]

I bet that you have used a registry cleaner (=registry destroyer) :D

Nope.. I'm not an idiot.

That list is showing the default programs that the list is set to show on the first boot of the OS.

Me thinks someone has done either some serious reg tweaking or installed a customized version of the OS.

Neither.

[+LogicalApex MVC]

A good question is how are you starting your programs? If you're like me and use run to start almost everything (my habits from Windows 2000 and it is still the fastest way by far) then the menu won't record your application launch. It seems to measure based on how many times you launch stuff from inside the start menu really... Not that useful for me, but probably is for the average joe...

[abecedarian paradoxious]

In my experience:

a) if UAC is off, the list will not populate correctly

b) the list is a hybrid of 'most recently' and 'most frequently' used programs- so, if you've got a program you've used a lot, say 3 times a day over the past 2 weeks, then you don't use it as often for a day or two... and then start a different program 4 times in one day that program will bump the others down

c) PIN your frequently used applications to the start menu= it's a far easier way to have those programs available at a click instead of relying on Windows to figure out what you're most likely to do next... and avoids problems such as yours.

As for 'favouring' Microsoft's programs for a while, I can see why they'd want to do that- so that you know the programs are there. They're not keeping them on the list, but they're just 'weighted' to show up on the list until Windows can reliably build a list of programs you use more.

[williamhook]

Mine seems to work well.....kinda. I use mIRC 24/7 and yet it's further down the list then Source, which I use about once every 3 days. Weird.

[rich_75034]

In my experience:

a) if UAC is off, the list will not populate correctly

If that is true, then that could be the source of the problem. UAC is turned off. I'll probably just pin the programs that I use most.

A good question is how are you starting your programs? If you're like me and use run to start almost everything (my habits from Windows 2000 and it is still the fastest way by far) then the menu won't record your application launch. It seems to measure based on how many times you launch stuff from inside the start menu really... Not that useful for me, but probably is for the average joe...

The issue is that after a few days the programs that I use are listed there as they should be...but when I reboot all the MS crap that I NEVER use has taken over.

[abecedarian paradoxious]

If that is true, then that could be the source of the problem. UAC is turned off. I'll probably just pin the programs that I use most.

Maybe Brandon can corroborate this since he seems to know a bit about Vista.

I tend to flip between various MS Office programs and proprietary programs for work and it's not on a reliable basis. Sometimes the program I've used most often (on average) is gone from the list and replaced by 2 or 3 programs that I've used A LOT during the last day or two.

That's why I pin my most important programs.

UAC cause certain folder locations and registry entries to be used for determining program security and the like. I think MS has an article on it along the lines of somethign about folder virtualization or somethign like that for vista. if the folders it expects aren't there, or whatever / however it works, I can see vista resetting the start menu with a reboot.

[rich_75034]

I had the same problem with mine, and this fix worked for me:

Open regedit, and navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

In that registry key, create a new DWORD value named StartMenuInit

Edit the new entry and set the value to 3

Close regedit and reboot

This fixed mine as well.. Thanks.

[+LogicalApex MVC]

If that is true, then that could be the source of the problem. UAC is turned off. I'll probably just pin the programs that I use most.

I doubt it is a Vista issue as it happens here and I've never had UAC off on any of my Vista machines. The issue is there on multiple Vista machines on 32 and 64bit... Though for me I've always attributed it to my preference for using run, but the the programs I do start occasionally from the menu don't make the cut often.

The issue is that after a few days the programs that I use are listed there as they should be...but when I reboot all the MS crap that I NEVER use has taken over.

That sounds like something is resetting the registery as posted previously... As it is one thing for it to not be properly recording or ranking, but for it to be completely resetting every so often isn't normal.

[blued]

I just arrange the Start Menu according to my own preferences with the programs I most use. If Vista is a "liar", I find this in the "recent places" list when I try to save something, this is usually weeks old and doesnt show folders/places I've saved to within the last day or two.

[Flex Plexicon]

Mine seems to work well.....kinda. I use mIRC 24/7 and yet it's further down the list then Source, which I use about once every 3 days. Weird.

A better way of saying it is most EXECUTED applications =)

You're only turning IRC on once in awhile, you're executing source more than that =D

[Tuche]

i have a different problem.

for me the list dont populate itself, and yes, the option to "list recently used softwares" is marked . . .

what could be causing this ?

[bulldog89801]

I know it's a stupid question but you did check the most obvious solution right? Right click the start button, properties, start menu tab, customize, and select the number of start menu items to display. Call me stupid but that fixed my issue. :)

[ak03]

Here is my program list. I have never had this issue: