From Windows Vista Start menu you can access any feature on your computer. You can start Programs,go on the Internet,explore Documents, switch users, shut down your PC, and also start a new Search.
On the left pane (see Figure 1 ) you have the Most Frequently Used Programs at the Top, and AllPrograms at the bottom.
On the right, at the top is placed the User Icon,then you have all your personal folders, followed by the Windows Vista features like Network and ControlPanel.
Figure 1
At the Bottom (figure 2)you will find the options to lock your computer, switch user, put it in a power save mode or turn it off.
Figure 2
To add an Item to All ProgramsTo add an Item to All Programs
- Navigate to the program folder ,usually C:\Program Files\YourProgram, where YourProgram is the name of the program you want to add.l
- Locate the .exe file and Drag the Icon on to the Start button and wait until opens,do not release the icon yet
- Now drag it on the AllPrograms button and wait until it opens.
- Continue to drag to the place where you would like that program to be.A black horizontal line shows you the right position,drop the Icon
To Delete an Item from All Programs
- Right click the program you Want to remove.l
- Click Delete from the dropdown menu or Press Del key on the Keyboard
- Confirm when you prompted to do so
- To turn off AllPrograms Autosorting
Rightclick the Start Button and go Properties > Customize > uncheck Sort AllPrograms Menu by Name
- To sort AllPrograms alphabetically.
Rightclick any program item and click on Sort By Name .
How to customize Start MenuHow to customize Start Menu
You can easily customize the Start menu,such as highlight recently added programs,change the way Items are displayed ,choose what you want to be displayed and a lot more.
Go to Start > ControlPanel > Appearence and Personalization > Taskbar and Start Menu > Start Menu tab, or right click on Start and click Properties from the dropdown menu and Start Menu tab. (see Fig 3)
Figure 3
Click Customize to open the Customize Start Menu dialog box (see Figure 4)
Figure 4
- To Revert your changes to the Windows Vista defalt settings,click Default Setting
- To Have the Internet browser and the email program at the Top in the left pane of the Start Menu,check the boxes in the Show on start Menu section,and if you have more than one browser and email client installed, you can choose which one you want from the dropdown menu .
- If you don't want anyone to know what you have been doing on the computer,in the Privacy Section on the StartMenu properties ( see Figure 1),uncheck the Store and Display a list of recently Opened Files box and the Store and Display a List of Recenttly Opened Programs box
How to customize the TaskbarHow to customize the Taskbar
The taskbar is as easy to customize as the Start menu,such as group similar features in one menu to save space.
- Go to Start > ControlPanel > Appearence and Personalization > Taskbar and Start Menu > Taskbar tab, or right click an empty area in the Taskbar and click Properties from the dropdown menu and Taskbar tab.
(see Fig 5)
- To move the Taskbar or any of its toolbar or resize it,uncheck Lock the Taskbar box
(see Figure 5)
- Check the Auto-hide Taskbar if you want it to hide when you don't use it.It will appear again when you point to the bottom edge of the screen .
- Check Group similar taskbar buttons to save space.
- Check Show Quick Launch so you can use the very useful buttons like the Show Desktop.
- Check Show Window Preview if you want to have a small Thumbnail of the Window content when you Hover the mouse on the taskbar button that represents that window.
Figure 5
Vista's new Sidebar
The sidebar is a new feature of Vista. It's a vertical bar, by default, on the right side of the screen, but you can have it on the left, and holds programs called "Gadgets" you need to be online for the full functionality of these mini-programs.
To add a gadget to the Sidebar
- Right click anywhere into the sidebar
- Choose add gadgets or click the + button at the top of the sidebar
- Double click a gadget in the window or drag the gadget from the window (Figure 6 )to the sidebar.
You can have multiple instances of the same gadget, like different clocks, each one with different time zone
You can download new gadget by clicking on Get More gadgets Online .
To Customize the Sidebar
- Right click inside the Sidebar and choose property (Figure 7)
- Set the option you like and click OK
Next we will look at how to share and customize files and folders ?