Start

The Start button is at the lowest left point on your screen, and most people use it for two things:

To configure the Start Menu that pops up when you click the button, simply right-click on a blank area right next to the button (not the button itself) it and select "Properties".  You will be greeted by the following configuration box:

Using this box it very intuitive, so there is no need to go any further on this.  Now, as far as the Button itself - we all know how to shut down Windows and how to start Programs with this button.  But it is worth mentioning the Programs feature.

Whenever you install a new application or utility (a program), it creates one or more shortcuts that show up when you click Start/Programs . . .   The list grows and grows.

 

Where the List of Program Shortcuts is Stored

This list of programs is nothing more than a series of shortcuts.  So they are actually files (*.lnk files) stored on your PC, at:

 

Win95-98

c:\windows\start menu\programs

 

Win2000-XP (stored in two places):
c:\Document and Settings\username\start menu\programs
c:\Document and Settings\All Users\start menu\programs

 

Editing the List of Programs in the Start Menu

 

To add shortcuts to your Start Menu Programs list:

  1. open Explorer

  2. right-click any exe file (program) and drag it to the folder listed above

  3. release the mouse button and select "Create Shortcut"

OR

  1. open Windows Explorer
  2. find the file you want to appear on the Start Menu
  3. right-click and drag it to the START button, and the menu will pop up
  4. move the mouse to the left portion and release
  5. the shortcut will go in the top left area of the START menu

 

To remove shortcuts to your Start Menu Programs list (two ways):

  1. open Explorer

  2. go to the "programs" folder as shown above

  3. delete the shortcut/s

OR

  1. click Start/Programs . . .

  2. right-click on the Program shortcut that you wish to remove

  3. select "Delete"

 

Start Menu / Programs Tricks and Tips

Find the location of a program on your PC's hard drive

You may have saved some files or data from a particular application, but can't fidn them.  All you know is that you saved them in the same folder as the application itself.  You can find the path to the application as follows: 

  1. click Start/Programs . . . 

  2. locate the program that you are looking for

  3. right-click on it and select Properties

Place a shortcut Icon on your Desktop to a Program

  1. click Start/Programs . . . 

  2. locate the program that you are looking for

  3. right-click on it and drag it to a blank area on your desktop

  4. release the mouse button, and select "Copy"

NOTE: do not select "Create Shortcut".  The list in the Start Menu / Programs, is a series of shortcuts.  So since you dragged what is already a shortcut - if you then select "Create Shortcut", you will be creating a shortcut to a shortcut.