I like to keep a tidy start menu on my Windows XP machines. So I was surprised and annoyed when I tried to move root start menu folders for a couple of applications off into designated sub-folders. I'm sure they're not the only ones, but one is Symantec Endpoint Protection and another is the Cisco Systems VPN Client.
As soon as the folder move is complete, a Windows Installer dialog pops up and informs me that it is installing/configuring the product. By the time it's done, the folders are back in the root of my previously neat and tidy start menu.
How do I regain control of my start menu and prevent this from happening?
As an aside, what program is camping on my start menu folders and launching programs on my behalf? This is apparently somebody's idea of a good design. That's pretty remarkable.
Best Answer
This is just the default behaviour of Windows Installer (Which is by default present in Windows & running in the background 'msiexec.exe'). Whenever it finds that the original files installed using it are modified, it starts up & re-installs the files. This is a useful feature present to reduce end users' intervention when something goes wrong with the installs.
The workaround is to press "cancel" whenever the installer starts up to repair the installation. Also in my case I just rename the products' installer present in (C:\Windows\Installer) so that the msiexec.exe will not modify the settings again (But its tedious & needs some manual searching for the installer).
So I suggest you go with Molly's suggestion or best leave the two out of place folders.