Windows Vista Developer Tip: Add Administrative Tools to the Start Menu

If you're a developer or IT Professional, you might want to add the Administrative Tools shortcut to your Start Menu in Windows Vista. 

Here's how: 

Right-click on the Taskbar (or the Start menu pearl) and select "Properties".  On the Start Menu tab, click "Customize..."  Towards the bottom of the list of available options, make a change to the options beside "System administrative tools," which defaults to "Don't display this item."

Now you will see the Administrative Tools in your Start Menu.

The reason I hadn't previously discovered this is that I use Vista's desktop search to find my administrative tools.  For instance, start typing "Reliability" into the Start Menu's search box, and you'll find the Reliability and Performance Monitor. 

However, having the menu available may help you discover tools that you didn't know existed.

Hope that helps!