Start Menu - Customize

What I like about Microsoft Windows is that it is so customizable. I can have it look the way I want it to look, with a little effort. The start menu does not to have to look the way you get it. You can customize it to fit you personal preference.

This is done by:

• Right click on the Start Orb
• Select Properties
• The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box opens
• In the Start Menu tab, at the top right, left click on the Customize button
  

It is at this window you can change the way you Start menu looks. You also have the option of arranging items in the menu that fits your preferences.

Start Menu - Notification Area

The notification area is the area of the Start Menu right above the Start Orb, when you left click on it.

The notification area contains items that are useful. When you open a computer with Windows Vista, for the first time. You will have some default icons in this area. The icons in this are is what Microsoft thinks you will need, or would like you to use. The more you use your computer more the commonly used programs will be moved into this area. This is Windows way to help you have easier access to the program that you use the most.

You can add specific short cuts to this area by copy and pasting from the desktop.

Instant Search - More Detail

The Instant Search box is downright may not be that obvious. It is in the Start menu, Control Panel, Windows Media Player, Windows Explorer, and even certain Vista applications (like Contacts and Windows Mail). This makes it great when your trying to find a specific picture or program.

There are two important things you will want to understand about Instant Search.

1. It is context-sensitive, meaning it will begin the search from whatever program or window that is open. When you search is with the Control Panel is open you will see Control Panel results ahead of any others. If Photo Gallery is open, the search will begin from Photo Gallery.
2. Instant Search is dynamic, Meaning it works as you type. The search is narrows the results a bit further with each letter (or number) you add to the search. Type “su,” for instance, and you’ll immediately see all documents, applications, and other items that contain those letters. Keep typing, however, until you get to “summer.”

Practice doing some Instant Searchs. Left click on the Start orb and then click Search in the right-hand pane. This will open Vista’s basic Search window. This search will look on all the drives on your computer. You can narrow your search by show only buttons across the top, or click one to quickly filter your search results.

Search is Good

After you left click on the Windows icon in the lower left of your screen, and the menu pops up, at the bottom is a text box labeled search. This search feature is has a lot more functionality than the previous versions of Windows.

This search feature will not only help you find misplaced files, but it will help you launch programs. I am talking about more than programs that you would find in the Programs section of the Start Menu. I am talking about programs that you would have to start from the Run command window.

Microsoft calls this feature Instant Search. I must admit that is what it is. It allows you to type in a command to readily access a program, a file or just information form the helps.

Start And Stop

It is a good thing to know how to turn off a computer other than unplugging it for the wall outlet. In Windows Vista the two most important buttons; Shutdown and Restart are hidden.

From the Window Start button open the Start Menu. On the right side of the Menu window is a little triangle pointing to the right. Left click on it. This will open another menu. The menu will read Shutdown, Restart, and maybe Log off items. The numbers of items listed in this sub menu will depend upon your computer, number of users, and features that the manufacture has added.

A Side Note: Your should never shut off or restart your computer by unplugging it from the wall unless it is a last resort. Not turning off a computer through the Windows start menu could cause damage to the Windows Vista or the hardware inside the computer case.

Start?

The first thing you notice with Windows Vista is the little light green button that reads Start is gone. It has been replaced by a weird looking circle with the Microsoft logo inside it. This is the first sign you are running Windows Vista on your computer.



When you go to left click on this new start button, a whole new menu pops up. Take a look at it. It is similar to the old Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP menu, yet different. Note that it has similar sections in the menu.

• Pinned Items is the programs you use the most. This makes for easy access. Windows will automatically put your most commonly used programs in this section, as you use Windows Vista. If you are impatient, you can drag and drop program short cuts into this section
  
• All Programs is what it says. You have access to all the programs that are installed on your computer.
• Default File Folders are folders like My Documents, My Pictures, and My Music. In this section is an icon that reads, "Recent Documents". This give you quick access to your most recent used documents.
• Utilities and Helps are just that. This is where you go for maintenance of your computer.