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Windows Start Button and Start Menu Part 1

The Start button is located at the left most side of the taskbar. The Start button is used to start or to run the application programs (that are installed on our computer) as well as system programs or Windows built-in programs. That is why it is called start button. When start button is clicked, a menu known as Start menu appears on the desktop.

The Start menu is the main menu of Windows operating system that contains a list of commands and application programs installed on the computer. When the Start button is clicked, the Start menu appears upward with a list of different options of commands and programs. The user can start or run any one of them through this menu.

In figure of Start menu, some menu options or commands have a right pointing arrowhead () that appears next to the option. It indicates that the option contains submenus. The submenu is displayed if you point or position the mouse pointer on the option.

1. Programs or All Programs

The Programs option of Start menu contains a list of programs that are installed on your computer. It is used to start the specific program. When “Programs” menu is selected from Start menu, a submenu appears that contains a list of programs that are installed on your computer. When new application program is installed on your computer, Windows automatically includes it in the Programs menu. If no application program is installed on your computer then at least following programs (that are built-in programs of Windows 2000 Professional) appear under Programs menu.

• Accessories
• Internet Explorer
• Outlook Express

2. Documents

The Documents option of Start menu contains a list of most recently used documents or files. It. provides a shortcut method to open recently used documents. When any document from the list is clicked, the document is automatically opened in its related application program in which it was created or modified recently. In Document menu, Windows contains a list of maximum 15 documents and-this list is upgraded automatically when new documents are added to the list.

3. Settings

The Settings option of Start menu is used for the setting of the hardware and software of your computer. The settings menu contains at least the following options:

Control Panel - It contains the system programs that are used to configure the hardware and software of computer.

Printers - It is used to install the new printer (driver of printer) as well as for the setting of printer that is already installed.

Taskbar & Start Menu - It is used for the setting of taskbar and start menu. For example, icons size of start menu can be changed, icons can be removed etc. from Start menu. Similarly, the contents of document list from Documents menu can be cleared etc.

• [Computer Software] - The Control Panel of Windows
• [Computer Software] - Windows Start Button and Start Menu Part 2
• [Windows Registry Tips] - Hide or Show Run Command from Start Menu
• [Computer Software] - Windows Desktop
• [Windows Registry Tips] - Hide or Show File Search Command in Start Menu
• [Microsoft Office] - Creating Database & Tables in MS Access
• [Computer Software] - Utility Programs
• [Computer Hardware] - Types of Monitors Part II
• [Microsoft Windows Xp] - How to backup or restore your files and settings
• [Microsoft Windows Xp] - Customize Send To Menu
• [Computer Software] - Operating System Functions (Part 5)
• [Microsoft Windows Xp] - How to use remote desktop to connect remotely
• [Computer Software] - Components of Application Window Part 2
• [Computer Software] - Components of Application Window Part 1
• [Computer Hardware] - Types of Printers