Windows Vista How To: Customize the Start menu 01

Windows Vista Start Menu would need a bunch of new customization features. Organizing the Start menu can make it easier to find your favorite programs and folders.

Note:
Some of the following steps do not apply if you're using the Classic Start menu.

Pin a program icon to the Start menu

If you use a program regularly, you can create a shortcut to it by pinning the program icon to the Start menu. Pinned program icons appear on the left side of the Start menu, above the horizontal line.

• Right-click the program icon you want to pin to the Start menu, and then click Pin to Start Menu.
• To unpin a program icon, right-click it, and then click Unpin from Start Menu.
• To change the order of a pinned item, drag the program icon to a new position in the list.

Remove a Program Icon from the Start menu
Removing a program icon from the Start menu doesn't remove it from the All Programs list or uninstall the program. To Remove a Program Icon follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button .
2. Right-click the program icon you want to remove from the Start menu, and then click Remove from this list.
3. Finish

Move the Start button
The Start button is located on the taskbar (in the bottom of the screen). To change the location to one of the four edges of the desktop, follow these steps:

1. Right-click an empty space on the taskbar. If Lock the Taskbar has a check mark beside it, click it to remove the check mark.
2. Click an empty space on the taskbar, and then hold down the mouse button as you drag the taskbar to one of the four edges of the desktop. When the taskbar is where you want it, release the mouse button.
3. Lock the taskbar into place, right-click an empty space on the taskbar, and then click Lock the Taskbar so that the check mark reappears.
4. Finish

Clear recent items from the Start menu
Clearing the Recent Items list does not delete the items from your computer. To Clear recent items from the Start menu, follow this steps:

1. Click the Start button .
2. Right-click Recent Items, and then click Clear Recent Items List.

Change the Start menu to Classic view
If you like the Classic view, you can change to the Classic view, follow these steps:

1. Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.
   
2. Click the Start Menu tab, click Classic Start menu, and then click OK.
3. Finish

Adjust the number of shortcuts for frequently used programs
Windows displays shortcuts on the Start menu for the programs you use most frequently. To change the number of program shortcuts displayed, follow these steps:

1. Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.
2. Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.
3. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, in the Number of recent programs to display box, enter the number of programs you want to display on the Start menu, and then click OK.
4. Finish