Vista Start Menu 02

The right pane on the Vista Start menu provides access to commonly used folders and features. The right pane also provides the Power button (puts the computer in sleep mode or shuts it down, depending on the system configuration), the Lock button (locks the computer), and the Options button (displays the following options: Switch User, Log Off, Lock, Restart, Sleep, and Shut Down).

To understand these changes, let’s review the option buttons provided in the right pane. From top to bottom, the option buttons are as follows:

Current user; The name of the currently logged on user. Clicking this option opens the user’s personal folder in Windows Explorer.

Documents; Opens the %UserProfile%\Documents folder in Windows Explorer.

Pictures; Opens the %UserProfile%\Pictures folder in Windows Explorer.

Music; Opens the %UserProfile%\Music folder in Windows Explorer.

Games; Opens the %ProgramFiles\Microsoft Games folder in Windows Explorer. The Games item is not listed in the Start menu for business editions of Windows Vista.

Tip:
In Windows Vista Home Premium, games available include Chess Titans, Hearts, Minesweeper, Solitaire, FreeCell, Mahjong Titans, Purble Place, and Spider Solitaire. Windows Vista Home Basic has all the games except Chess Titans and Mahjong Titans. Saved data for games is stored in the %UserProfile%\Saved Games folder. Click the Options menu to configure the Set Up Game Updates And Options dialog box options to keep games up to date automatically, clear history details on the most recently played games, and unhide games. Group Policy can be used to control the availability of the Games option.

Search; Opens a local computer search in Windows Explorer. Use the Search In list to select or specify an alternative search location.

Recent Items; A menu view that lists recently opened files.

Computer; Opens a window where you can access hard disk drives and devices with removable storage.

Tip
The Computer window is the fastest way to open Windows Explorer and access a computer’s disks. In the Computer window, double-click a disk to browse its contents. By default, the Search box in Windows Explorer performs localized searches of the currently open folder and its subfolders.

Network; Opens a window where you can access the computers and devices on your network. Also provides quick access to Network Center and the Connect To A Network wizard.

Connect To; Displays the Connect To A Network dialog box for connecting to wireless networks.

Control Panel; Opens Control Panel, which provides access to system configuration and management tools.

Default Programs; Displays the Default Programs window, which lets you choose the programs that Windows Vista uses by default for documents, pictures, and more. You can also associate file types with programs and configure AutoPlay settings.

Help And Support; Displays the Windows Help And Support console, which you can use to browse or search help topics.

Several additional options can be added to the right pane, including:

Administrative Tools; Clicking this option displays a list of system administration tools. To display the Administrative Tools option on the Start menu, right-click the Start button, and then select Properties. In the Taskbar And Start Menu Properties dialog box, click the Customize button on the Start Menu tab. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, scroll to the end of the available options. For System Administration Tools, select Display On The All Programs Menu And The Start Menu.

Printers; Opens a Printers window, which lists and provides access to currently configured printers.

Run; Displays the Run dialog box, which can be used to run commands. To display the Run option, right-click the Start button, and then select Properties. In the Taskbar And Start Menu Properties dialog box, click the Customize button on the Start Menu tab. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, scroll down and then select the Run Command check box.

Note;
Because the Search box can be used to open and run commands, you might not need to use the Run option. For example, to open a Microsoft Management Console, you can click the Start button, type MMC, and then press Enter. You don’t need to click in the Search box before you begin typing. Pressing Enter opens the first item in the results list. If for some reason MMC isn’t the first item, you would need to click MMC in the results list rather than pressing Enter.