Start Menu Customization Question

[Static]

Hey guys. My friend is still unconvinced about Windows 7 and I am trying to turn him to the darkside. So, he has some minor caveats and cry-baby like problems. Basically what it comes down to is he needs his computer as he is a doctor and can't "Take a few days or weeks to get acclimated."

So I solved most of his problems in the tutorials section of how to make windows 7 look more like XP or even Windows 2000 (He's a big fan).

but one thing I haven't seen is this. He hates the new start menu. Too complicated too much junk for him. So, how can we turn this beautiful windows 7 into something more like this....






Or at the bare minimum, How can we get rid of the gaping void of "Recent Programs" or whatever it is called on the left side so that it's a much simpler rendition he can customize.

Example of the void I was speaking about. The giant grey hole that is the left side 60%. Get rid of that so that all that is left is that right side customizable list of Rhys, Pictures, Computer, Control Panel. etc:

 

[Brink]

Hello Static,

You might give the free program Vista Start Menu a try. It allows you to customize the Start Menu in Windows 7 pretty much any way you want it.

Another option is to pin the folder location below to the taskbar.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9305-taskbar-pin-unpin-folder.html

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Kukag]

Hmm to be honest I don't think you can et rid of that area ,atleast as far as I know but you can I believe just pin thoes folders you need to that area!

Thanks,
Kukag

 

[SquonkSC]

Hey guys. My friend is still unconvinced about Windows 7 and I am trying to turn him to the darkside. So, he has some minor caveats and cry-baby like problems. Basically what it comes down to is he needs his computer as he is a doctor and can't "Take a few days or weeks to get acclimated."

So I solved most of his problems in the tutorials section of how to make windows 7 look more like XP or even Windows 2000 (He's a big fan).

but one thing I haven't seen is this. He hates the new start menu. Too complicated too much junk for him. So, how can we turn this beautiful windows 7 into something more like this....


View attachment 30627



Or at the bare minimum, How can we get rid of the gaping void of "Recent Programs" or whatever it is called on the left side so that it's a much simpler rendition he can customize.

Example of the void I was speaking about. The giant grey hole that is the left side 60%. Get rid of that so that all that is left is that right side customizable list of Rhys, Pictures, Computer, Control Panel. etc:
View attachment 30628

That's easy.

1. right click on the start orb
2. properties
3. second tab (startmenu)
4. click customize button
5. see down below startmenu size
6. set both recent apps and recent items from default 10 to 0
7. click ok

good luck

 

[Static]

That's easy.

1. right click on the start orb
2. properties
3. second tab (startmenu)
4. click customize button
5. see down below startmenu size
6. set both recent apps and recent items from default 10 to 0
7. click ok

good luck

All that did was guarantee the area stays blank and has no programs in the empty space. I want to get rid of the empty space altogether. Thanks for the effort tho. My friend went to RTM Today and he is enjoying it more than he thought. Even if this doesn't get solved. Thank you tho.

And he did what the guy above you said, he just changed it to pin what he wanted instead of recent things. He eliminated desktop Icons and put it all there. Whatever works for him.

 

[Brink]

Static,

I'm happy to hear that the workaround worked for him.

 

[SquonkSC]

That's easy.

1. right click on the start orb
2. properties
3. second tab (startmenu)
4. click customize button
5. see down below startmenu size
6. set both recent apps and recent items from default 10 to 0
7. click ok

good luck

All that did was guarantee the area stays blank and has no programs in the empty space. I want to get rid of the empty space altogether. Thanks for the effort tho. My friend went to RTM Today and he is enjoying it more than he thought. Even if this doesn't get solved. Thank you tho.

And he did what the guy above you said, he just changed it to pin what he wanted instead of recent things. He eliminated desktop Icons and put it all there. Whatever works for him.

Sorry,

Forgot to mention that then the menu will be as big as the right part of the menu.
By switching of those you don't need in the right part, the startmenu will actually shrink.