Windows 7: Start Menu Shortcut Program

   Information

This Start Menu program acts as a shortcut that will open the Start Menu just as if you had pressed CTRL+ESC in Windows 7 or Vista.

   Note

You can copy and use the Start Menu.exe file below in any user account (administrator or standard) to open the Start Menu in that user account.

   Tip

UAC will need to be turned on for this work.

You can Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu the Start Menu.exe file, or move where you like for easy use.

If you moved the taskbar to another screen location (left or right) and you do not like how the Start button (orb) is now at the top of the taskbar, then you can use the free program Start Killer to remove the default Start button (orb). Afterwards, you can place the Start Menu.exe file in a new folder somewhere, unlock the taskbar, pin the new folder to the taskbar as a toolbar, right click on the dotted lines to the left of the new toolbar and uncheck Show Text and Show Titile, click on View and Large Icons, then drag this new Start button toolbar where you like on the taskbar and lock the taskbar.

1. To download the Start Menu program, click on either one of the icons below for the one that you would like to be used for the Start Menu.exe file.
NOTE: If you would prefer a different icon than these, then just post a reply with the ICO or PNG you want attached below. If the other icon is still being displayed after using another one, then rebuilding the icon cache will fix it.

2. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.

3. Open the .zip file and extract the Start Menu.exe file to the desktop.

4. If you have not already, be sure to turn on UAC to at least the default level. It needs to be turned on to be able to unblock this shortcut to allow it to work.

5. Right click on the Start Menu.exe file, and click on Properties, General tab, and on the Unblock button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the file is already unblocked and you can continue on to step 5.

6. Copy the Start Menu.exe file into any user account on the computer, that would like to open the Start Menu with it, and move it to where you like for easy use.