How to Customize the Windows Vista Start Menu

Windows Vista is an operating system created by Microsoft. It was designed to be versatile and easy to use, helping the user complete a variety of tasks quickly and conveniently. One of the things you can do to make Vista easier to use is to customize the Start menu in a way that is more convenient for you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Windows Vista Operating System

Add and Remove Programs from the Windows Vista Start Menu

1. Begin by clicking on "Start," then "All Programs" to display a program in the Start menu permanently (or "pin" it to the menu).
2. Go to the program you want displayed. Right click and go to "Pin to Start Menu."
3. Unpin a program (i.e. allow it to be removed from the Start menu) by clicking "Unpin from Start Menu."
4. Remove a program from the Start menu by finding the program on the list, right clicking it and going to "Remove this program from Start Menu."
5. Clear recent items from the Start menu by going to "Recent Items," right clicking, and then going to "Clear Recent Items." Note that this does not delete them from your computer.
6. Change the number of programs displayed on the Start menu from the Customize Start Menu box by going to "Number of Recent Programs to Display" and entering in the number of programs you want displayed on the Start menu.

Customize the Appearance of the Start Menu

7. Click "Start" and then "Control Panel."
8. Click on "Appearance and Personalization."
9. Go to "Taskbar and Start Menu."
10. Click the "Start Menu" tab and then "Customize."
11. Select the items you want in the Start Menu from the list. De-select items you do not want. Finish by clicking "OK."

Change the Position of the Start Menu

12. Right click in an empty space on the taskbar.
13. Look to see if "Lock the Taskbar" is checked. If it is checked, click it to unlock the taskbar. If it is not checked, leave it alone.
14. Click in an empty space of the taskbar.
15. Drag the taskbar to your desired place on the screen. It can be on the top, on the bottom, or the left or right side of the screen.

Change the Start Menu Style to Classic

16. Go to the Control Panel and click "Appearance and Personalization."
17. Click "Taskbar and Start Menu."
18. Click the Start Menu tab and select "Classic Start menu." Click "OK."

Tips & Warnings

• The Classic-style Start menu is the one used by earlier versions of windows, such as Windows 95 and 98.

Who Can Help:

• Find Computer, Electrical and Telephone Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.