Windows 7 Start Menu Customization

Fantastic Windows 7 Tips to Start Menu Customization

Microsoft customize Start menu in Windows 7. Windows 7 Start menu is a big improvement over its predecessor, you will likely want to customize it to match your needs. We’ve already discussed how you access this functionality: right-click the Start button, choose Properties, and then click the Customize button.

Here is a detail of start menu options.

Start Menu Option	What It Does	Default Value
Computer	Determines whether the Computer item appears as a link or a menu, or is not displayed. This was called My Computer in Windows XP.	Display as a link
Connect To	Determines whether the Connect To item appears. Enabled If you have a wireless network adapter, this item will trigger a submenu.	Enabled
Control Panel	Determines whether the Control Panel item appears Display as a link as a link or a menu, or is not displayed.	Enabled
Default Programs	Determines whether the Default Program item appears. This item was called Set Program Access and Defaults in Windows XP with Service Pack 2. In Windows 7, it launches the new Default Programs control panel.	Enabled
Devices and Printers	This new interface largely replaces Device Manager from previous Windows versions. This link also replaces the Printers link from previous Windows versions.	Disabled
Documents	Determines whether the Documents item appears as a link or a menu, or is not displayed. This was called My Documents in Windows XP.	Display as a link
Downloads	Determines whether the Downloads link appears as a link or a menu, or is not displayed. This corresponds to the Downloads folder in your user folder, which is the default location for Web downloads from IE and other browsers.	Disabled
Enable context menus and dragging and dropping	Determines whether context menus appear when you right-click items in the Start menu, and whether you can drag and drop icons around the Start menu in order to change the way they are displayed.	Enabled
Favorites menu	Determines whether the Favorites menu item appears	Disabled
Games	Determines whether the Games item appears as a link or a menu, or is not displayed	Enabled
Help	Determines whether the Help item appears. This item launches Help and Support.	Enabled
Highlight newly installed programs	Determines whether newly installed applications are highlighted so you can find them easier.	Enabled
HomeGroup	Determines whether the HomeGroup link appears in the Start menu. This corresponds to the HomeGroup control panel, which helps set up Windows 7’s simple new sharing feature.	Disabled
Music	Determines whether the Music item appears as a link or a menu, or is not displayed. This was called My Music in Windows XP.	Enabled
Network	Determines whether the Network item appears as a link or a menu, or is not displayed. This was called My Network Places in Windows XP.	Enabled
Open submenus when I pause on them with the mouse pointer	Determines whether mousing over a submenu (like All Programs) will cause that submenu to open (or expand)	Enabled
Pictures	Determines whether the Pictures item appears as a link or a menu, or is not displayed. This was called My Pictures in Windows XP.	Enabled
Recent Items	Item provides a pop-up menu that lists numerous documents and other data files you’ve recently accessed.	Disabled
Recorded TV	Determines whether the Recorded TV item appears as a link or a menu, or is not displayed	Disabled
Run command	Determines whether the Run command item appears	Disabled
Search other files and libraries	Determines whether searches from Start Menu Search include or exclude public folders	Public folders are included
Search programs and Control Panel	Determines whether searches from Start Menu Search include programs and Control Panel items in addition to data files	Programs and Control Panel items are included
Sort All Programs menu by name	Determines whether the All Programs submenu is organized alphabetically	Enabled
System administrative tools	Determines whether the Administrative tools sub-menu appears on the All Programs menu, on the All Programs menu and the Start menu, or is not displayed	The Admin-istrative tools submenu is not displayed
Use large icons	Determines whether the left side of the Start menu renders large icons. Otherwise, small icons are used.	Enabled
Videos	Determines whether the Videos item appears as a link or a menu, or is not displayed. This was called My Videos in Windows XP. Note that this item could not be added to the Windows XP or Vista Start menu for some reason.	Disabled