Start Menu - Customize

How to Customize the Start Menu in Vista​

information   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.

EXAMPLE: The Normal Start Menu and Classic Start Menu
Normal_Start_Menu.jpgClassic_Start_Menu.jpg​
​




OPTION ONE
How to Customize the Normal Default Start Menu

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

2. Click on 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.
    NOTE: If the Internet Explorer or Windows Mail option is grayed out, then this just means that they are not set as the default program.
4. Click on OK when done.​
Start_Options.jpg​
​

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





OPTION TWO
How to Customize the Classic Start Menu

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

2. Click on 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.​
​
B) Clear button - Clears the recently opened documents, programs, and web sites. These are not displayed in the Classic Start menu.​
​
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 on OK when done.​
Classic_Options.jpg​
​

5. Click on OK. (See screenshot for step 2 above)​
​
​
That's it,
Shawn





Related Tutorials

 

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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?
 

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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.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/98613-start-menu-pin-folder.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

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ok thanks for the help shawn
 

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  • CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 2.20 GHz
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    120 GB Seagate
You're welcome Scissormetimbers.
 

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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
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    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
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    Windows 10 Pro
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    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hi, molie, I notice your using XP 32-bit, you do realise this is a forum geared towards vista 64-bit?
 

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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
 

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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
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    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
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    Thermaltake Core P3
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    Logitech wireless K800
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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    Windows 10 Pro
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    HP Envy Y0F94AV
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    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hello! Mod...I am not sure if this question I'm about to ask belongs in this thread. Feel free to move it to the proper place if needed.
How can I add a program shortcut to the Accessories from the Startup Menu?
Thanks for any reply.
 

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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
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    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
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    Thermaltake Core P3
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    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
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    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
You're welcome Bennys.
 

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    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
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    Thermaltake Core P3
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    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hi Shawn. Great work with these tutorials. I've just reinstalled Vista after neglecting it for a long time and I'm looking for tweaks. I'll be reading around most of the day I'm sure. :geek:

One thing that really bugs me is that I cannot figure out how to keep the dark menu and still change the Windows color from that very pretty but not to manly blue. ;)

Got a tweak or an app that can do that? I may be missing it too, if its buried somewhere else.

Thanks man, keep up the great work.
 

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Hello TeMerc,

There is no way in Vista by default, but you might see if the free program Vista Start Menu may have the option to let you. I cannot remember if it allows you to customize the color or not, but it does have a ton of customizable features.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

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    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
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    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
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    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
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    HP Envy Y0F94AV
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    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
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    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Brink said:
Hello TeMerc,

There is no way in Vista by default, but you might see if the free program Vista Start Menu may have the option to let you. I cannot remember if it allows you to customize the color or not, but it does have a ton of customizable features.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
Click to expand...
Thanks Shawn for the prompt reply.

I use Dennis's Tidy Start Menu already, so I'm guessing I may have found that eventually.

TeMerc
 

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Yup, that did the trick. While it's not exactly the same color as the orig Vista dark, I can use the old Windows styles, change all my window colors and have the menu much better.

And it's got loads of other great features too. Best of all, I like so far is you can make the menu pop up anywhere you want it! :geek:

Thanks again!

Tom :cool:
 

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You're welcome Tom. I'm happy to hear that it was able to do what you wanted.

Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hi Brink,
Just wanted to say thanks for this tutorial! A not-so-good-with-computers friend of mine found this very useful after I sent her a link to it about three months back (just came across it here again and thought I should thank you). Very clear and easy to understand.

She told me a few days ago that she will be getting Windows 7 next week :shock: - while I'm stuck on Vista for now :(...
 
Last edited:

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You're most welcome Witch-King-of-Angmar. I'm happy to hear that it was able to help. :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
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    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
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