Applies to Windows Vista

See also

Customize the Start menu

Organizing the Start menu can make it easier to find your favorite programs and folders.

Note

Note

  • Some of the following steps do not apply if you're using the Classic Start menu.

Show all

To pin a program icon to the Start menu

If you use a program regularly, you can create a shortcut to it by pinning the program icon to the Start menu. Pinned program icons appear on the left side of the Start menu, above the horizontal line.

Picture of the Start menuStart menu

  • Right-click the program icon you want to pin to the Start menu, and then click Pin to Start Menu.

Notes

Notes

  • To unpin a program icon, right-click it, and then click Unpin from Start Menu.

  • To change the order of a pinned item, drag the program icon to a new position in the list.

To remove a program icon from the Start menu

Removing a program icon from the Start menu doesn't remove it from the All Programs list or uninstall the program.

  1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button.

  2. Right-click the program icon you want to remove from the Start menu, and then click Remove from this list.

To move the Start button

The Start button Picture of the Start button is located on the taskbar. Although you can't remove the Start button from the taskbar, you can move the taskbar—and the Start button along with it.

  1. Right-click an empty space on the taskbar. If Lock the Taskbar has a check mark beside it, click it to remove the check mark.

  2. Click an empty space on the taskbar, and then hold down the mouse button as you drag the taskbar to one of the four edges of the desktop. When the taskbar is where you want it, release the mouse button.

Note

Note

  • To lock the taskbar into place, right-click an empty space on the taskbar, and then click Lock the Taskbar so that the check mark reappears.

To clear recent items from the Start menu

Clearing the Recent Items list does not delete the items from your computer.

  1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button.

  2. Right-click Recent Items, and then click Clear Recent Items List.

To adjust the number of shortcuts for frequently used programs

Windows displays shortcuts on the Start menu for the programs you use most frequently. You can change the number of program shortcuts displayed.

  1. Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.

  2. Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.

  3. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, in the Number of recent programs to display box, enter the number of programs you want to display on the Start menu, and then click OK.

To customize the right pane of the Start menu

You can add or remove items, such as Computer, Control Panel, and Pictures, that appear on the right side of the Start menu. You can also change some items so that they appear as links or menus.

  1. Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.

  2. Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.

  3. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, select the options in the list that you want, and then click OK.

To restore Start menu default settings

You can restore the Start menu to its original, default settings.

  1. Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.

  2. Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.

  3. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, click Use Default Settings, and then click OK.

To search for programs from the Start menu

  • Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then type a word or phrase in the Search box.

To add the Run command to the Start menu

  1. Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.

  2. Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.

  3. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, scroll through the list of options to find the Run command check box, select it, and then click OK.