Edit the Win-X menu in Windows 8 and 10

Melanie Gross
Aug 12, 2012
Updated • Oct 10, 2016
Software, Windows 8, Windows software, Windows tips
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8

Several new features and changes are introduced with the Windows 8 operating system. You probably heard about the new start page and the missing start menu.

Microsoft has added a menu to the desktop part of Windows 8 that displays quick links to administrative and often used programs and settings of the operating system.

When you use the shortcut Windows-X to display the menu, you see direct links to the command prompt, event viewer, device manager, task manager, control panel and search among other links.

What you do not get though is an option to add, edit or remove items from the menu.

windows-x menu

Win-X Menu Editor

The Win-X Menu Editor for Windows 8 and Windows 10 adds options to manage those menu items of the operating system.

Microsoft's SmartFilter may block the execution of the program on first run. You need to click on the more info link and then on run anyway to execute the program. In addition, browsers like Chrome may also block the saving of the program on your system.

When you first start the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the program, you are presented with the list of shortcuts that are currently displayed on the Win-X menu when you run it on the system.

win x editor

The editor separates items into groups which are separated by a horizontal bar in the actual Windows-X menu. You can use it to move items around in a group which may launch a second SmartScreen Filter warning that you again need to bypass before the selected item is moved around in the group.

You can furthermore create or remove items or groups from the menu, and do the same for shortcuts. The editor allows you to add your own shortcuts to the menu so that you get fast access to programs and features of the operating system that you make use of regularly or consider important.

A file browser opens when you click add shortcut, and you can add any file type to the menu here.  This may include your favorite web browser or email program, administrative programs, or a music playlist. It does not necessarily make sense to add those items to the menu editor, as you could alternatively simply place them on the desktop as shortcuts or pin the items to the taskbar for the same effect.

What you can do however is add programs that you use occasionally, but not regularly. This may be a program like CCleaner which you run once a week or so, control panel applets, system tools, or other programs or apps.

Verdict

Win-X Menu Editor all in all is a handy program for Windows 8 and Windows 10 users who use the Win-x menu. Since users are not really made aware of the menu by Microsoft (yet), it is one of those features that the majority of Windows users probably won't make use of at all.

Summary
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Author Rating
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5 based on 2 votes
Software Name
Win-X Menu Editor
Operating System
Windows
Software Category
Administration
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Comments

  1. hb860 said on August 13, 2012 at 9:23 am
    Reply

    Melanie, Thanks for review of my software.
    Can you add link to download page?
    It is missing from article :)

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on August 13, 2012 at 10:17 am
      Reply

      Sorry for that, I have added the link.

  2. anony said on August 13, 2012 at 12:35 am
    Reply

    Regressing user friendliness with each version. What ms can do best.

  3. npc said on August 12, 2012 at 11:19 pm
    Reply

    Thank you, was wondering where they hid the easy access to Disk Management after the install.

  4. ilev said on August 12, 2012 at 6:28 pm
    Reply

    Is there a GodMode in Windows 8 ?

    1. ilev said on August 13, 2012 at 8:39 am
      Reply

      How to get God Mode in Windows 8?

      Right click on your desktop, select new and then Folder

      Name the folder as GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

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