Reorganized Start Screen

AdminStudio 2022 | 23.0 | Application Manager

Note:This test is not applicable to App-V packages.

For this operating system compatibility test, the Windows Installer database is scanned for shortcuts to non-executable files in the Start Menu folder. Additionally, the database is scanned for shortcuts that are located in a subfolder of the Start Menu.

Test Group/Test Category

0343—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 8.1 (32-Bit)
0443—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 8.1 (64-Bit)
2843—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-1809 (and 2019 LTSC) (32-Bit)
5243—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-1909 (32-Bit)
5443—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-2004 (32-Bit)
5643—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-20H2 (32-Bit)
5843—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-21H1 (32-Bit)
7043—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-21H2 (32-Bit)
2943—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-1809 (and 2019 LTSC) (64-Bit)
5343—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-1909 (64-Bit)
5543—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-2004 (64-Bit)
5743—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-20H2 (64-Bit)
5943—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-21H1 (64-Bit)
7143—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 10-21H2 (64-Bit)
6743—Operating System Compatibility/Windows 11-21H2 (64-Bit)
0543—Operating System Compatibility/Windows Server 2012
0643—Operating System Compatibility/Windows Server 2016
1043—Operating System Compatibility/Windows Server 2019

Severity

Warning

Messages

This Windows Installer database contains a shortcut [SHORTCUT_NAME] to a non-executable file [FILE_NAME] which might not be pinned to the Start screen (Table: Shortcut, Key: [SHORTCUT_KEY]).
This Windows Installer database contains a shortcut [SHORTCUT_NAME] in a subfolder of the "Start Menu\Programs" folder which might not be displayed correctly in the All Apps view (Table: Shortcut, Key: [SHORTCUT_KEY]).

Background

On Windows 8 and later systems, the Start Menu is no longer available, and its functionality has been replaced with a new Start screen. The appearance and functionality of the new solution might result in an ambiguous shortcut structure. Windows 8 and later automatically pins shortcuts to executable files to the new Start screen. However, it does not pin shortcuts for other file types (for example, text files, help files, and command files [.bat, .cmd]). Note that the shortcuts are still visible when the user browses to the All Apps applet; this is the equivalent of the “All Applications” on the old Start Menu.

Furthermore, on Windows 8 and later systems, the tree hierarchy from the old Start Menu is no longer available. Shortcuts in the All Apps applet are grouped by the root subfolders in the Start Menu folder. Shortcuts from subfolders are displayed in one group with no visual clue to which group it belongs. Hence, if two shortcuts with the same name exist in different subfolders, users might be unable to distinguish between them. This behavior might limit productivity.

Resolution

The following resolutions are available. Note that this issue is not resolved automatically by default.

Manual Fix

Shortcuts should be renamed to unequivocally express their behavior and affiliation. For example, instead of using generic names like Readme or Help documentation, a more specific name like Readme for <application name> or Help documentation for <application name> should be used. Shortcuts to non-executable files should be manually pinned by the logged-on user.

Basic Auto Fix

No resolution is available.

Advanced Auto Fix

No resolution is available.