Windows 7 Start Menu - Part 2

Before beginning tutorial 2 (part 2 of the Start menu) I want to suggest changing a few default Start Menu settings. Keep in mind you can always reset to the default settings if you decide my suggested changes are not appropriate.

Right click on the Start globe or any blank space on the Start Menu and left click on Properties. Click the Start Menu tab, Customize, and click on the following check boxes:
1. Downloads and Display as a link.
2. Favorites menu (If your browser is Internet Explorer)
3. Games (if you play them) and Display as link
4. Network
5. Recent Items
6. Run command
7. System administrative tools and Display on the All Programs menu and the Start menu
8. Videos and Display as a link

These additions to your current Start Menu settings provide accesses to just about all your current and future activities.

If you’re not enthusiastic about the choice of the thumbnail image Windows has selected to head your Start Menu, you can easily change it.
1. Either open you Control Panel and choose User Accounts or if you’re a Vista or Windows 7 user, click on the image.
2. Click ‘Change your picture’ and click on one of the pictures presented.
3. If you’re not enchanted with any of the pictures presented, click ‘Browse for more pictures...’ and select one from your My pictures folder. Any BMP, GIF, JPEG, or PNG file is appropriate.

That's all there is to it!

Most of the other menu items are self explanatory with perhaps the exception of Recent Items. Unlike Jump Lists that are dedicated to a particular program, Recent Items lists all recently accessed documents and files e.g., .Docs, .Jpgs, .Pdf’s, and Data Files.

Now take a few minutes and do a ‘click about’ the new tabs you’ve added to your Start Menu.

Next week’s tutorial will concern your Taskbar. But before we leave your Start Menu I want be sure when you click on your Start Menu Documents tab, you experience all the helpful layout configurations Windows 7 Explorer offers.

Click on your Start Menu Documents tab, then ‘Organize’ and ‘Layout’. Now be sure ‘Menu bar’, ‘Details Pane’, ‘Preview Pane’, ‘Navigation Pane’, and ‘Library Pane’ are checked.

Note: You must open ‘Layout’ and check each check box individually.

Note also: Windows Explorer can be opened from its shortcut that by default is ‘Pinned’ to your Taskbar as well as via Start, All Programs, Accessories, Windows Explorer.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.