Customizing What Appears on the Right Side of the Start Menu

by Barry Dysert
(last updated May 23, 2016)

The Start menu can be customized as to what appears on the right side, whether items are displayed as links or menus, and how submenus behave when you hover over them.

To customize the Start Menu, right-click the Start button and click Properties. Windows displays the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box; the Start Menu tab should be displayed by default. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Start Menu tab of the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box.

Click the Customize button, and Windows displays the Customize Start Menu dialog box. (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. The Customize Start Menu dialog box.

You'll want to scroll down in the Customize Start Menu dialog box to see the extent of the changes that are possible. As you can see, you can indicate whether a particular item is shown on the menu by selecting or de-selecting the "Don't display this item" radio button. And for items that are displayed, you can indicate whether they should be displayed as a link (where if you simply hover over the link it will expand to reveal its contents) or as a menu (that you'd have to click to see more).

With some trial and error you'll be able to determine what items you really want displayed, and how you want them to behave. When you're finished customizing, OK your way out. Your new Start menu will be waiting for you.

 This tip (11562) applies to Windows 7.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

How to Choose between 32- and 64-bit Windows

Windows currently comes in two flavors: 32-bit and 64-bit. While there are typically some performance advantages ...

Discover More

Creating an XPS Document

Creating an XPS document is as easy as printing a document. This tip explains how.

Discover More

Setting the Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge

For some people, search engines are a religious issue. Fortunately, Microsoft Edge has left the door open for you to ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Changing a Program's Compatibility Settings

If an older program no longer runs under Windows, you may still be able to get some life out of it by changing its ...

Discover More

Changing the Mouse Pointer

Windows is rather configurable, especially when it comes to the user interface. Here's how you can modify the way that ...

Discover More

Changing Regional Settings

Windows makes it easy to set your system to accurately reflect your regional settings. This tip sets you well on your way.

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 0 + 4?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.