How to Fix Start Menu Cut-Off Problem in Windows XP Themes?

After getting numerous mails and comments regarding this particular problem, today I decided to post this topic.

Many Windows XP users who use 3rd party themes like my "VistaVG" theme, face a strange problem. The icon or text of right-side pane entries in start menu is not displayed properly. Sometimes you see half icons and sometimes you see a few starting characters missing as shown in following screenshots:

Case 1:

Case 2:

SOLUTION:

Actually its not a problem. You face this problem because you are using wrong color scheme of the theme.

Most of the XP themes like my "VistaVG" theme contain more than one style, one for default icon size and other for large icon size.

There is an option in Desktop settings "Use large icons" which increase the icon size and you face this problem.

So there are 2 solutions of this problem:

Solution 1:

Open Desktop Properties, go to "Appearance" tab and select the correct "Color Scheme" from the drop-down menu:

If you are using "Use large icons" option, then you need to apply the color scheme having "48" in its name cause it has been made for large icon size option.

So if you are using wrong color scheme, change it and your problem will be solved.

Solution 2:

You can also disable "Use large icons" option to fix this problem. Open Desktop Properties, go to "Appearance" tab and click on "Effects" button.

Now uncheck "Use large icons" option and Click on "OK" button and then apply it.

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This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows XP, XP Themes.

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30 Comments

renz

my start menu has a problem, "All Programs" is gone, and also the menu in My Computer, My Music etc.. also, plz help me.
Kobby

Fantastic work VG.

Just a note: I had the same problem but in my case it was solved when I used Aero 32 instead of Aero 48.

Don't know if that might help some people.
Bruce Bertrand

A long time ago my Windows XP system developed a similar problem after adding new fonts. In many of my application menus, the fonts are either too large or too small, and in some cases menus are enlarged to the point where some items are inaccessible.

Over time I have not been able to find any reference to this issue. It's too bad I didn't think of system restore at that time, but it is well beyond that. Is there in fact a solution to this that does not involve a Windows repair or re-installation - which is simply not an option at this time. The last time I did that it created a slew of larger problems.
kilawinguwak

Hi VG, I encountered a pretty odd problem with my start menu. None of the right side panel entries are covered, but the left side panel extends a bit too far from where it should be. Also the user photo is badly misaligned as well.

Here's a link to a screenshot of the problem.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/kilawinguwak/problem.jpg

Thanks very much.
VG

^^ Set DPI settings to default 96.
kilawinguwak

cool beans, VG. many thanks!
SM

I like W7 theme to update my computer!!
Efi

Hi! Nice theme! I'm having a similar problem with kilawinguwak. The user icon shown is not mine. Mine is on the side and cut. Changing the dpi settings didn't work..

http://img39.imagefra.me/img/img39/2/9/4/mendelo7/f_w8r4im_f88de5d.png

Thanks.
VG

^^ It always happens when you use custom DPI settings. Are you sure you have set DPI to default 96? Also have you restarted the system? Try to apply default Luna theme and then re-apply SevenVG theme.
Efi

Thanks, after applying the Luna theme it worked perfectly!