Start Menu - Customize

**Brink** · **OPTION ONE:**

How to Customize the Start Menu in Vista

Information

This will show you how to set and use the Customize options for both the Normal and Classic Start menu. These will allow you to customize how links, buttons on the right side, icons, and menus look and behave in the selected Start menu.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: The Normal Start Menu and Classic Start Menu

Normal_Start_Menu.jpg Classic_Start_Menu.jpg

OPTION ONE:
How to Customize the Normal Start Menu

1. Right click the Start button and click Properties. (See screenshot below)

Properties.jpg

2. Click the Customize button. (See screenshot below)

Start_Customize.jpg

3. Select the options you want. (See screenshot below)
The Top section - Allows you to select the buttons and how they open on the dark right side of the Start menu. You can also customize how icons and menus appear in the Start menu.

Start Menu Size - Allows you to change how many recent programs will be displayed in the white left side of the Start menu.
NOTE: For more, see: How to Use the Recent Items List in Vista

Show on Start Menu - Choose if you want a Internet or E-mail shortcut displayed on the Start Menu. You can click on the drop down menu by each one to select which program you want to use for each if you have more than one installed.

4. Click OK when done.

Start_Options.jpg

5. Click OK. (See screenshot below step 2)

OPTION TWO:
How to Customize the Classic Start Menu

1. Right click on the Start button and click Properties. (See screenshot below)

Properties.jpg

2. Click the Customize button. (See screenshot below)

Classic_Customize.jpg

3. Select the options you want. (See screenshot below)
A) Add, Remove, Advanced, Sort buttons - Allows you to add or remove items from the Classic Start Menu.
NOTE: For more, see: How to Add or Delete a Shortcut or Folder From the Start Menu in Vista

B) Clear button - Clears the recently opened documents, programs, and web sites. These are not displayed in the Classic Start menu.
NOTE: For more, see: How to Use the Recent Items List in Vista

C) Advanced Start Menu Options - Allows you to select the buttons and how they open on the dark right side of the Start menu. You can also customize how icons and menus appear in the Start menu.

4. Click OK when done.

Classic_Options.jpg

5. Click OK. (See screenshot for step 2 above)

That's it,
Shawn

scissormetimbers · 3 Weeks Ago

how do u add programs to the list of the ones that appear on the upper right side of the normal vista start menu? for example if i wanted to put downloads on that list how do i do it?

**Brink** · 3 Weeks Ago

Hi Scissormetimbers,

You cannot add anything that is not already in the list in Option One above.

For Downloads, you can:

1. Dot Personal folder with Display as a menu in Option One. From there you can select Downloads.

2. Pin the Downloads folder to the Start menu (left side). This tutorial will show you how to enable pinning folders.
Start Menu - Pin Folder To

Hope this helps,
Shawn

scissormetimbers · 3 Weeks Ago

ok thanks for the help shawn

**Brink** · 3 Weeks Ago

Your welcome Scissormetimbers.

o0omolieo0o · 2 Weeks Ago

Hi Shawn, I like the start menu as below, and can you show me where is this topic or can you write a topic about this (Customize that area).
Thanks

8-16-2008 6-39-31 PM.jpg

**swarfega** · 2 Weeks Ago

Hi, molie, I notice your using XP 32-bit, you do realise this is a forum geared towards vista 64-bit?

**Brink** · 2 Weeks Ago

Hi Molie, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Unfortunately you can only add or remove the buttons, on the dark right side of the Start Menu, that are listed in the Customize window in the screenshot below Option One step 4. The only way you can customize it further is to use some 3rd party program like Stardock WindowBlinds.

Stardock.com - Your Edge In Software

Sorry,

Shawn

o0omolieo0o · 2 Weeks Ago

Hi swarfega
The main windows i use is XP, but i like vista and i use vista to relax.

@ Thanks.

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3 Weeks Ago
scissormetimbers Member	Re: Start Menu - Customize how do u add programs to the list of the ones that appear on the upper right side of the normal vista start menu? for example if i wanted to put downloads on that list how do i do it?

3 Weeks Ago
Brink Administrator	Re: Start Menu - Customize Hi Scissormetimbers, You cannot add anything that is not already in the list in Option One above. For Downloads, you can: 1. Dot Personal folder with Display as a menu in Option One. From there you can select Downloads. 2. Pin the Downloads folder to the Start menu (left side). This tutorial will show you how to enable pinning folders. Start Menu - Pin Folder To Hope this helps, Shawn

3 Weeks Ago
scissormetimbers Member	Re: Start Menu - Customize ok thanks for the help shawn

3 Weeks Ago
Brink Administrator	Re: Start Menu - Customize Your welcome Scissormetimbers.

2 Weeks Ago
o0omolieo0o Newbie	Re: Start Menu - Customize Hi Shawn, I like the start menu as below, and can you show me where is this topic or can you write a topic about this (Customize that area). Thanks 8-16-2008 6-39-31 PM.jpg

2 Weeks Ago
swarfega da Cleaner	Re: Start Menu - Customize Hi, molie, I notice your using XP 32-bit, you do realise this is a forum geared towards vista 64-bit?

2 Weeks Ago
Brink Administrator	Re: Start Menu - Customize Hi Molie, and welcome to Vista Forums. Unfortunately you can only add or remove the buttons, on the dark right side of the Start Menu, that are listed in the Customize window in the screenshot below Option One step 4. The only way you can customize it further is to use some 3rd party program like Stardock WindowBlinds. Stardock.com - Your Edge In Software Sorry, Shawn

2 Weeks Ago
o0omolieo0o Newbie	Re: Start Menu - Customize Hi swarfega The main windows i use is XP, but i like vista and i use vista to relax. @ Thanks.