Corrupted "All Programs" List

Last night I was "customizing" my start menu -- mainly to eliminate all the
bloat ware which HP bundled on my new laptop. I also moved a lot of the
individual program files into a new folder called "Windows Programs."

Today, when I went into Start/All Programs, I found many of those folders
not showing up. About half the folders appear and others, such as Microsoft
Office, Accessories, the new Windows Programs file, do not.

I don't know how or where to go to get them back -- and would be grateful
for guidance. (This sure was a lot easier, and cleaner, in XP.)

Also, I am in the initial throes of initializing said new laptop and
installing software. Is there a way to reclaim the above-described folders,
without having to re-install Vista (or go back through two or three restore
points)?

Thanks