I have Win 98SE and have inadvertently deleted my program list. When I click on START the Start Menu comes up. When I then click on Programs the list which was formerly there does not appear. The programs have not been deleted since some have icons on the desktop and this loads them. Also I see the programs are still in Windows Explorer and I can load them from there. Glad of any help.

The items in the programs folder are, or in your case where, all shortcuts pointing to the original file.
You could try using windows explorer to drag new shortcuts to the programs folder.
Have you looked into your recycle bin to see if they are in there. You could drag them back from there possibly. I think maybe the recyle bin has a restore feature.

Can't imagine how you could have deleted them so I'm wondering if I am undrestanding the problem but I hope this might help.

Insert the Windows 98 CD and reinstall over the top. This will restore the missing folder. All data should be maintained but always back up just to be sure!