Adjusting Start menu Size

[Guest Danger_Duck]

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]

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]

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]

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

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