Guest Danger_Duck Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 I'm not sure what the name is, but I'll describe it the best I can. When I click Start->All Programs, a three columned menu pops up on my computer. Now, I feel like that these three columns are too wide, and the icons are okay, but it would be nice if they were smaller too-that is, so that if they were downsized all the program shortcuts could fit on 2 rather than three rows. Where do I adjust the settings for width and height of this menu and what is it called? I didn't find anything in Right click->properties of the start menu. Oh, and also, in the bottom right corner (taskbar?) many applications load up on startup. So many, in fact, that startup is VERY slow for me (like 20 seconds to get into the log-in screen, but 4 minutes to load to the point that I can do anything). A lot of those programs there seem to boot up automatically, but I never use them and in fact close them every start up. I'd like to shut my computer down more often to save power, so how do I set which programs load on startup in the bottom right? Thanks!
Guest Malke Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Re: Adjusting Start menu Size Danger_Duck wrote: Comment inline: > When I click Start->All Programs, a three columned menu pops up on my > computer. > > Now, I feel like that these three columns are too wide, and the icons are > okay, but it would be nice if they were smaller too-that is, so that if > they were downsized all the program shortcuts could fit on 2 rather than > three rows. To make the columns shorter, optimize your Start Menu. If you have a lot of entries, make folders and put the shortcuts in there. Example would be folders for Graphics, Productivity (word processors, etc.), Multimedia, etc. Also, give entries shorter names; i.e., instead of Microsoft Office Word just name it Word. To work with the Start Menu, right-click on the Start button and then Explore. > Oh, and also, in the bottom right corner (taskbar?) many applications load > up on startup. So many, in fact, that startup is VERY slow for me (like 20 > seconds to get into the log-in screen, but 4 minutes to load to the point > that I can do anything). It is always better to stop programs from starting with Windows from within the programs themselves, so look in their Options before changing anything with msconfig - you're just examining things at this stage. If a program doesn't offer any way to control startup from its Preferences, then use msconfig to uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK out. Start>Run>msconfig [enter] This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in effect, "don't bother me about this again". Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes. Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services unless you really, really know what you're doing. How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560 The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx - Autoruns Malke -- MS-MVP Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
Guest ju.c Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Re: Adjusting Start menu Size > "When I click Start->All Programs, a three columned menu pops up on my computer." Why don't you sort your Start Menu folder? You can create folders, and name them, like "Office" and move the shortcuts there. Just move the ones you want, I usually only move a program's shortcut and delete all the others. (Use Explorer) For example, Office = Folder Word = Shortcut Office Word Acrobat Notepad Games Doom Chess > "Where do I adjust the settings for width and height of this menu" Width = You can't, it depends on the Font size & type and the length of the Start Menu item names. If you want a shorter menu, rename the longest ones. Height = Determened by the number of Start Menu items. > "how do I set which programs load on startup in the bottom right?" Open the Registry and goto: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and delete the ones you don't want to start. (Export first!) ju.c "Danger_Duck" <DangerDuck@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:5C01E7D7-4DA0-47A6-A037-780BB7EBA422@microsoft.com... > I'm not sure what the name is, but I'll describe it the best I can. > > When I click Start->All Programs, a three columned menu pops up on my > computer. > > Now, I feel like that these three columns are too wide, and the icons are > okay, but it would be nice if they were smaller too-that is, so that if they > were downsized all the program shortcuts could fit on 2 rather than three > rows. > > Where do I adjust the settings for width and height of this menu and what is > it called? > I didn't find anything in Right click->properties of the start menu. > > > Oh, and also, in the bottom right corner (taskbar?) many applications load > up on startup. So many, in fact, that startup is VERY slow for me (like 20 > seconds to get into the log-in screen, but 4 minutes to load to the point > that I can do anything). > > A lot of those programs there seem to boot up automatically, but I never use > them and in fact close them every start up. > > I'd like to shut my computer down more often to save power, so how do I set > which programs load on startup in the bottom right? > > Thanks! >
Guest dadiOH Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Re: Adjusting Start menu Size Danger_Duck wrote: > I'm not sure what the name is, but I'll describe it the best I can. > > When I click Start->All Programs, a three columned menu pops up on my > computer. > > Now, I feel like that these three columns are too wide, and the icons > are okay, but it would be nice if they were smaller too-that is, so > that if they were downsized all the program shortcuts could fit on 2 > rather than three rows. > > Where do I adjust the settings for width and height of this menu and > what is it called? > I didn't find anything in Right click->properties of the start menu. AFAIK, column width is determined by the length of the names...column width = longest name. -- dadiOH ____________________________ dadiOH's dandies v3.06... ....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that. Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
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