How to Add or Remove Help from the Normal and Classic Vista Start Menu
InformationThis will show you how to add or remove the Help and Support option from the Normal and Classic Start menu in Vista. By default this is added to both Start menu choices.
EXAMPLE: Normal Start Menu with Help and Support Added and Removed
NOTE: You can use Option One or Two below for the Normal Start menu.
EXAMPLE: Classic Start Menu with Help and Support Added and RemovedNOTE: You will need to use Option Two below for the Classic Start menu.
OPTION ONE 
NoteThis will only remove the Help and Support option for the default Normal Start menu. For the Classic Start menu, see Option Two below.
1. Right click on the Start button or on a empty space in the Start menu and click on Properties.
2. Click on the Customize button next to the selected (dotted) Start menu. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: For more about Customize and the Start menu, see: How to Customize the Start Menu in Vista
3. To Add Help and Support
A) Check the Help box. (See screenshot below step 5)
NOTE: This Help option is removed in Option Two below.
B) Go to step 5.
4. To Remove Help and Support
A) Uncheck the Help box. (See screenshot below step 5)
5. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
6. Click OK. (See screenshot below step 2)
OPTION TWO NoteThis will remove the Help and Support option on both the Normal and Classic Start menu.
Method One NoteThis method is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for the Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions.
1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.
2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Start Menu and Taskbar. (See screenshot below)
3. In the right pane, right click on Remove Help menu from Start Menu and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)
4. To Add Help and Support
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below 5A)
B) Go to step 6.
5. To Remove Help and Support
A) Select (dot) Enabled and click on OK.
6. Close Local Group Policy Editor window.
Method Two Method Two Through the Registry
NoteThis method will work for all Vista versions.
Using a REG File Download:
1. To Add Help and Support
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Add_Start_Menu_Help.reg
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Remove Help and Support
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Remove_Start_Menu_Help.reg
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.
5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply all changes.
Manually in Registry Editor:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter
.
3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
Code:
[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT]HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT]
5. To Remove Help and Support
A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. (See screenshot above)
B) Type NoSMHelp and press Enter.
C) Right click on NoSMHelp and click on Modify. (See screenshot below)
D) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
E) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)
F) Go to step 7.
6. To Add Help and Support
A) In the right pane, right click on NoSMHelp and click on Delete. (See screenshot above)
B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.
7. Close regedit.
8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply all changes.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Add or Delete a Shortcut or Folder From the Start Menu in Vista
- How to Customize the Start Menu in Vista
- How to Pin a Program to the Start Menu in Vista
- How to Turn the Recent Items List On or Off in Vista
- How to Change the Start Menu to Classic View in Vista
- How to Pin a Folder to the Start Menu in Vista
- How to Display Small or Large Icons in the Vista Start Menu
- How to Enable or Disable the All Programs List in the Vista Start Menu
- How to Fix Windows Vista Help and Support
- How to Restore the Start Menu Search Button after Installing the Vista SP1
- How to Enable or Disable the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Window in Vista
- How to Join or Unjoin the Vista Help Experience Improvement Program
- How to Create a "Windows Help and Support" Shortcut
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