Start Menu: Removing User Pic & Adding Shortcuts

Hi, I was wondering if it was possible to get rid of that big animated user picture at the top right of the start menu. I have all themes turned off (set to best performance) and went through the start menu customization options but found nothing that would work.

Also, is it possible to add folders full of shortcuts in the pane that displays recently accessed programs? (Ahh never mind, dragged and dropped, but it doesn't slide out a submenu O_O)

I want to get this out of the way. I love the stability and performance of Windows 7 but hate the start menu, it's been months and I still can't get over it. or maybe i have some form of OCD

Hmm, i believe this can be done using some kinda tweaking tool, but i cant remember the name of it You might be able to edit it in some dll files some place in the system folders as well.

I "accidently" discovered a way to get rid of the icon picture, but I'm sure it's not the easiest, as I too seem to think I saw a tweaker that would allow removal...

Anywho, what I accidently did was delete the image's border from explorer.exe, in the Windows folder. I (stupidly, in retrospect) thought it was the login border and wanted to get rid of that but ended up being the start menu border and without it, my picture would not be displayed.

I used Restorator to accomplish this...you must take ownership of explorer.exe before messing with it. Just go into explorer and find "bitmap" and delete all the "7000" series icons.