Tech Tip: Put shortcut icons in an alternative place

Have you ever wanted the ability to place shortcut icons somewhere other than the Start menu or the desktop? For example, suppose you're troubleshooting a problem with a user's computer, and you've installed some diagnostics tools that you don't want the user messing around with.

Windows XP comes with an updated version of the Windows 3.x Program Manager, which you can use to store and access shortcuts to any application that you don't want to appear as a shortcut on the Start menu or desktop.

To access Program Manager, follow these steps:

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing [Windows]R.
2. Type Progman.exe in the Open text box, and click OK.

When you see the Program Manager interface, start by creating a program group. Follow these steps:

1. Go to File | New.
2. In the New Program Object dialog box, select the Personal Program Group option, and click OK.
3. Type a name for the program group in the Description text box, and click OK.

You can now add shortcuts to the new program group. Follow these steps:

1. Go to File | New.
2. In the New Program Object dialog box, select the Program Item option, and click OK.
3. Type a name for the program item in the Description text box, click the Browse button, and locate your application's executable file.
4. Click OK to close all dialog boxes.