Thread: Changing the Windows XP start menu

If you are using Windows earlier than Windows XP released firstly you seen about XP was new start menu. Some people like it but some don’t. If you don’t like it then it is simple to modify to older style.

The XP start menu is shown below.



This Classic start menu is shown below.



The simple method to get to start menu settings is to right tick on taskbar and select Properties. You can also go to Start, Settings, Control Panel and then Taskbar and Start Menu. Here you will get different options you can modify.



The Lock the taskbar selection permits you to lock taskbar in place so it cannot be moved and also so you cannot stretch out quick launch icons sector on left side of taskbar.

Auto-hide taskbar setting makes taskbar vanish until you hold mouse over it.
Keep the taskbar on top of other windows option makes the taskbar always visible by not permitting other windows to cover it.

The Group like taskbar buttons choice keeps like items in a group. E.g. if you have two web browsers open at similar time it would only have one button on taskbar.
The show Quick Launch option will show the Quick Launch icons that appear on taskbar for simple access.

The Show the clock option does accurately that, displays clock on taskbar.
Lastly hide inactive icons choice will cover icons in system tray that are not utilized frequently. The system tray has icons of running programs next to clock. To switch from new XP start menu to Classic start menu you can tick on Start Menu tab and choose menu type you hope to use.

Many options default start menu has than classic edition that useful. General tab allows you do things like change size of icons; determine how many shortcuts for new programs should be pinned to Start Menu and if you want to show Internet Explorer or Outlook also.



Advanced Tab shows more choices as to what you want to show on Start Menu and allows you fine tune these items. If you do not want to have newly opened documents shown on documents sub menu then you can uncheck the box that tells List my new opened documents.

Nice tutorial. It was very useful, I have changed my start menu to old style and I hope that my PC will run faster.