Tip of the day: Put favorite programs (and more) on the Start menu

Tips, Windows 1 Minute

In Windows XP, the Start menu is divided into two columns. The left column, by default, contains links to your default browser and e-mail program. You can add shortcuts to this menu as well, giving you easy access to your favorite programs, file folders, drives, documents, and Web pages.

To add a new item to the Start menu, use either of the following techniques:

  1. Right-click any shortcut on the All Programs menu and then click Pin to Start Menu. (This menu choice is only available for shortcuts to executable programs.)
  2. Drag a shortcut from the desktop or from Windows Explorer and drop it on the Start button. You can also drag the icon for a program or a document and drop it here, in which case Windows will create a shortcut for you.

The new shortcut appears below any existing shortcuts. Drag shortcuts up or down to rearrange them in the list. (To remove an item from the list

The default setting for the Start menu uses large icons. That makes this menu easy to read, but it also limits the number of shortcuts you can add here. If your list of Start menu shortcuts is bumping up against the top of the screen, switch to small icons, using these steps:

  1. Right-click the Start button and click Properties.
  2. On the Start Menu tab of the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, click the Customize button to the right of the Start menu option.
  3. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, click Small Icons under the Select an icon size for programs heading.

Start_menu_small_icons

Click OK twice to close both dialog boxes and go back to the Start menu, where you’ll now find much more room.

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Published by Ed Bott

Tech journalist. Author of 25+ books. ZDNET Contributing Editor since 2006. Contact info: https://edbott.com/contact-me/

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One thought on “Tip of the day: Put favorite programs (and more) on the Start menu”

  1. Ed, yet another solid tip.

    Speaking of putting your favorite software on the start menu, do you plan to give tips about selecting appropriate software for XP? I’m always looking for the “Designed for XP” logos whenever available. I look for independent certification from respected organizations such as ICSA labs. I know how to search Google or the newsgroups for horror stories about particular software. I generally adhere to a minimalist approach of installing no more or less than what you need and regularly use. But are there any other general tips that you may have in this area? Thanks.

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