Windows 7: Windows 7 Start Menu

Hai!

So, I am new to Windows 7 and so far I like it but there are a few tweaks I want to do and I thought maybe I can get help here?



First, I really hate that Start Orb. I would rather have one of two things.. either create a button in QuickLaunch that when I press it the start menu appears, or change the orb to be a button like XP had. Does anyone know how to do that? And actually, I have RightClick from Object Desktop that would be fine but I cant get it to work properly with the normal Windows right click menu.. for some reason I cant turn that off. So.. basically I would like any solution above LOL

The other question I have is, does anyone know of a theme for Win 7 that actually makes it look like XP or media center edition? The one built in it s way drab.

Hi Raevyn

Welcome to 7 Forums.

The 7 Start Orb can be changed to anything you want. Try using,
Kishan Bagaria's Start Orb Changer
There is a huge collection of Start Orbs in this thread. You can request one with your own image if you want.
Custom Start Menu Button Collection

Regarding the XP theme, you can try this one,
Luna port to Windows 7 -Aero- by ~Satukoro on deviantART

These tutorials might interest you also.

How to Create Custom Start Orb Image
Start Button - Create a Rectangular Start Button
Start Menu Button - Change

Thank you for all the help What I ended up doing is hiding it completely so I can use Right Click or I can press the Win button to bring it up. Honestly i think i like the bar better without it.

As a side question.. where are all the Control Panels settings located at? I am using Right Click and set up a link to Control Panel but in Windows 7, it seems to be in a different spot then in XP.. it cant find them. And also, is there an actual directory for a users Libraries that is able to be found, or is it a symbolic link?

you should be able to type any of those things into the search bar, basically press windows key and then start typing. control panel, libraries, and you may also RIGHT click the toolbar (taskbar?) start menu thing, go down to properties, and have the ability to edit the start menu items and everything dealing with that (this is also found in the control panel)

Control panel looks different than xp, and has categories of things and should be pretty simple to find what you're looking for. You may also RIGHT click the desktop and go down to Personalize, which brings up the appearance section of the control panel. At the very bottom left, there is the option once again to change "taskbar and start menu" settings:

I did a quick snip for you of the display section of the control panel, hopefully you can read my writing with a mouse

Luna port to Windows 7 -Aero- by =Satukoro on deviantART

Browsing Windows 7 Utilities on deviantART : Royal Port