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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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Brian
P.S. I'm using your theme, VistaVG Ultimate. Thanks, Vishal!
VG
You have to edit the theme to change separator bitmap.
Brian
VG
Open My Computer and press "Backspace" key. It'll show Desktop folder. You should see "My Music" and "My Pictures" folders there. Just rename them and remove "My" word. It should work.
RobN
Hi Vishal, Great Work. I have followed all your tips on the start menu and now it looks great!!
I do have one question, how do I change the image in the box top right start menu?
Mine is plain white.
Hoping you can help.
Rob
VG
^^ Hi Rob
Make sure you are using "Welcome Screen" in Windows. You can enable it from "Control Panel -> User Accounts -> Change the way user logs on to system -> Use Welcome Screen".
RobN
Hi VG, Hmmmm! Problem "Change the way user logs on to system -> Use Welcome Screen” missing from "Control Panel -> User Accounts ->
?????
RobN
VG
^^ There should be a simple link "Change the way user logs on & off" in "User Accounts" template.
R@hul
when i drag icons in startmenu i get 2 seprator but ur pic has only 1????????
rest worked perfectly
Swindall
VG u r a genius, so thats what brings me to u. Thx for all ur indepth tutorials. Anyways, in the 'Taskbar Properties' dialog box (when u right click on taskbar), there is two images of the 'Luna Styled' taskbar located within. I was wondering if u knew what bitmaps to modify using ResHacker to change those two images to a 'Vista Styled' taskbar. Ur help with this would be greatly appreciated and this would also be a nice tweak to add to ur 'Transform Windows XP into Windows Vista' tutorial.