Change Look-n-Feel of Windows XP Start Menu



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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, it can be found in our "Download" section.

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 need 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.

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In this tutorial, I'll tell you about a few things, which can be used to change the look-n-feel of XP start menu.

After following this tutorial, you'll get your Start menu look-a-like following screenshot:

1.) To change the Default entry names in Start menu's right side pane, like Control Panel, Connect To, Help & Support, Run, Search, etc, you'll need to edit %windir%\Explorer.exe file in Resource Hacker and then edit String Table section. I'm giving a few locations, where u can find interesting strings:

String Table -> 439 -> 1033
String Table -> 440 -> 1033
String Table -> 515 -> 1033

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

3.) Sometimes you'll not notice the changes in Start menu because windows registry maintains a cache for these entries. So you'll have to clear the cache to make the changes visible. Just open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ ShellNoRoam\MUICache

and in right-side pane, delete all existing values except Default & LangID.

4.) If you want to add your own entry, like an application shortcut or a folder, then you can follow my following tutorial:

TUTORIAL: How to use the free space under RUN in New Windows XP Start Menu!

5.) And this one is my favorite trick. I use this trick to remove "All Programs" menu from Start menu because it doesnt look decent and many times it gets automatically selected while selecting other entries in Start menu. So I change "Favorites" path to "Programs" folder, so that we can access our program shortcuts. So just follow these steps:

a.) First disable "All Programs" option from Start menu. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer

and 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, goto:

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, on which windows is installed.

c.) Now change the text of "Favorites" to "Programs" or "All Programs" by editing %windir%\Explorer.exe file in Resource Hacker. Just goto:

String Table -> 515 -> 1033

and in right-side pane, change string in 8235 line with ur 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".

6.) To change the color & style of Start menu, you can use my "VistaVG Ultimate" visual style, which will completely change its look. You can get it here:

Download VistaVG Ultimate Theme

Download VistaVG Ultimate Theme with Searchbar



This article was posted in Windows XP.

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141 Comments

1 2 3 ... 15

  • 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. :smile:

  • 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. :smile:

  • 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! :smile:

  • VG

    Hi

    You can follow the 5th option to change "Favorites" path to your "Games" folder. Thats the only way, you can add it. :wink:

  • 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. :lol:

  • VG

    ^^ Its bcoz you are using wrong style. There are 2 styles:

    Aero32
    Aero48

    Interchange between them from Desktop Properties -> Appearance.

  • BeeexD

    :cry: 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.

1 2 3 ... 15

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