Tech Tips / Windows XP / Desktop and GUI
The new Start menu in Windows XP
The Start menu has always been one of Microsoft’s trademarks. But since it debuted in Windows 95, little has changed - until now. Windows XP completely revamps the Start menu, offering useful new features and design.
The
Start menu is now bigger, and it sports two divided sections. The left part is the so-called dynamic list, which the operating system automatically populates. Windows XP monitors which applications you run and manages the left part accordingly. You'll find the applications you use more frequently higher on the list. Applications that you don't use as often are at the bottom of the list, and running new programs replaces them.
The right part of the new Start menu is static. It includes shortcuts to system folders such as My Documents, My Computer, Control Panel, Help and Support, and others.
While many users might not like the menu's new look at first, give it some time to get used to you shouldn’t be disappointed. But if you are, you can still use the old Start menu. Just right-click the taskbar and select
Properties. On the
Start Menu tab, select
Classic Start Menu and click
OK.
The odds are good that you won't want to revert to the classic version. But you might want to customize it for your needs. You can make changes to the look and feel of the new Start menu by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting
Properties. On the Start Menu tab, click
Customize. You can change the icons' sizes, specify the number of programs on the dynamic list, and hide or show items on the static side.