Windows 7 - Start menu width

Is there a way to change the width of the start menu? I would like to make it wider.

Hi xantius,

There was an option in Vista to change the Start menu to Classic view, but that's been removed in Windows 7. Instead, try right-clicking the Taskbar, selecting 'Properties', switching to the Start menu tab, and clicking 'Customize...' There are options there for changing the look and content of your Taskbar.

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

I am aware that, but wanted to specifically change the width of the start menu width. I thought I could do it by modifying or adding some key in the registry, because I don't want to install something just for this. I get the feeling that it might not be possible, which is disappointing.

If you change your font and/or Icon font size the start menu will get wider to accommodate the font size.

Personalize > Windows color > Advanced appearance and settings > Icon

Change font size to what you want BUT It will alter other font settings ( such as navigation pane and Icon font size) Im sure you can play around and find a happy medium if you don't go to mad with it.

Thanks. I want to change the width alone. With some programs that are in specific folders, and have sub-folders of their own, it is difficult to navigate back, and see where exactly you are. It would be helpful if I could see the hierarchy...

Hi again xantius,

I understand better what you're trying to do now. Here's a pretty cool workaround that gives you a hierarchical program files list: Get the Classic Start Menu in Windows 7 - the How-To Geek

Let us know if you end up trying that, and if so how it works for you!

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

Someone told me about this app, I didn't test it yet. The thing's in Polish...

Start menu width

Unfortunately, as far as I am aware, your start menu's apperance is based on image files. Several image files make up your start menu. You would have to change all of these in order to customize the appearance of your start menu. You CAN change it if you want to, but it will require very in-depth hacking of your system resources, and I would strongly recommend against it if you do not know exactly what you are doing.

While this is technically true, the images don't determine the width of the menu. The images themselves are pretty small (about 20-30 pixels wide) and get stretched depenging on the need of the start menu.
Unfortunately I don't know of a way to control the width, aside from using an alternative menu implementation.

I haven't a clue either (which is sort of what I was getting at, I just couldn't quite find the right words to put it in) but I suppose there may be some tutorial out there somewhere. Pretty much everything that can be done to any OS has been "tutorialized" at some point.