This tutorial will assist you in customizing Windows XP startmenu appearance. After following this tutorial, you'll get the startmenu look like following screenshot:
STEP 1: You can change the text of various startmenu entries like Control Panel, Connect To, Help & Support, Run, Search, etc. To change them, you'll need to edit %windir%\Explorer.exe file in Resource Hacker and then edit String Table section. Following are a few locations, where you can find such interesting strings:
String Table -> 439 -> 1033
String Table -> 440 -> 1033
String Table -> 515 -> 1033
STEP 2: Other strings like My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, My Computer, etc. can be changed in String Table section of %windir%\System32\Shell32.dll file. Just search for them in the file. Most of them will be present in:
String Table -> 577 -> 1033
String Table -> 794 -> 1033
String Table -> 1900 -> 1033
String Table -> 1906 -> 1033
STEP 3: Sometimes you'll not be able to see the changes in Start menu. It happens because Windows registry maintains a cache for these entries. So you'll have to clear this cache to make the changes visible. Just type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ ShellNoRoam\MUICache
In right-side pane, delete all existing values except Default & LangID.
STEP 4: If you want to add your own entry, like an application shortcut or a folder, you can follow this tutorial:
Add Your Favorite Application or Shortcut Under RUN in Windows XP Start Menu
STEP 5: This one is our favorite. You can use this trick to remove "All Programs" menu from Start menu and then change "Favorites" entry to point to the "Programs" folder. In this way, you can access all program using Favorites menu.
Simply follow these steps:
A. First disable "All Programs" menu from Start menu. Open regedit and go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer
In right-side pane, create a DWORD value NoStartMenuMorePrograms and set its value to 1
B. Now change "Favorites" path to "Programs" folder. In regedit, go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\Shell Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell Folders
and change value of Favorites to:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
NOTE: Change C: to your system drive letter where Windows is installed in your system.
WARNING: Above trick will replace "Favorites" menu with All Programs list in Internet Explorer as well. If you use Favorites in IE, you should not apply the above trick. Also note down the default values of above mentioned 2 registry keys before changing them, so that you can restore them if you don't like the change.
C. You can also change the text of "Favorites" to "Programs" or "All Programs" by editing %windir%\Explorer.exe file in Resource Hacker. Just go to:
String Table -> 515 -> 1033
and in right-side pane, change string in 8235 line with your desired one.
D. You can also drag-n-drop important program shortcuts into left-side pane of Start menu for easier access. Don't forget to disable "Internet" & "E-mail" shortcuts and "Recent Items" list from "Start menu & Taskbar Properties".
STEP 6: To change the color & style of Start menu, you can use "VistaVG Ultimate" theme. You can get it here:
NOTE: If you are facing problems while saving a file after editing in resource hacker, then make sure you have disabled WFP (Windows File Protection) service using WFP Patcher or use Replacer to replace the file.
Also if you are getting error "Can't create file...", that means you have edited and saved the same file in past and there is a backup file which needs to be deleted before saving this file again. Go to the folder containing this file and you'll see a similar file having "_original" in its name. Delete it and try to save the file in resource hacker.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Resource Hacker, Windows XP.
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santy
hey guyz!
ma problem is dat...i am unable 2 change my bckground pic!
it just appears blue in colour(windows XP professional)
in the desktop tab in the properties dialog box...im unable to select any picture as bckground. the window is kinda stuck up!
plzzzzz help me!
VG
Hi santy
Seems like changing wallpaper is restricted in your system. Do this:
Open regedit and goto:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
and look carefully in right-side pane. Whether any key containing "Wallpaper" or similar term exists or not. If exists, then delete it and log off. Your problem should be solved now.
If you are not sure about the key, then pls post the contents here and I'll tell you the required key to be deleted.
ANGELA GREENE
I'M HAVING SAME PROBLEM. DID YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, BUT DO I NEED TO ALSO DELETE THE ONES THAT INCLUDE "APPEARENCE,BACKGROUND, SCREENSAVER PAGE, ETC?
VG
Hi Angela
Those keys containing "NoApperanace", "NoScreenSaver", etc are used to hide the same tabs in Desktop Properties window. So you can safely delete them from the above mentioned key.
Picassa243
Hey Vishal could you plz tell me how I may have games option in the windows XP start menu just like it is in Vista :?: Im designing a customization pack and need your help in this matter. Thanks!
VG
Hi
You can follow the 5th option to change "Favorites" path to your "Games" folder. Thats the only way, you can add it.
BeeexD
Sir, i happen to use a Bricko pack where it has small icons on the right side of the start menu. Then i used your visual style, Half portions of the icons are still visible, how do i handle these things? thanks sir. peace out.
VG
^^ Its bcoz you are using wrong style. There are 2 styles:
Aero32
Aero48
Interchange between them from Desktop Properties -> Appearance.
BeeexD
there are still visible portions. Is there a way to remove them? sob. sob.
VG
It should not happen buddy. One style is for 32x icon size and the other for 48x icon size.