Start menu

Place the shortcut in the %Programs% directory. It should show up in Recent on the left side of the Start menu. Pin it.

Custom .url shortcuts

You may have to copy the shortcut after placing it, within the same Start menu directory. Delete the original and rename the copy to the original name. It should then show up when searched in the Start menu. Applies to Steam and Epic Games.

Hash

The hash does not regard Start in, only Target. Target is stripped of leading and lagging spaces.