What? There is no Classic Start menu in Windows 7? That's the most common question which Windows 7 users ask us. Actually Microsoft has completely removed Classic start menu from Windows 7 and you are forced to use the new Vista like start menu.
Although the new start menu is much better than the classic one, lots of people still prefer the Classic one. So what to do? Here is the solution.
"CSMenu" is a small application for Windows 7 which can bring the Classic start menu back in Windows 7. You just need to install it and run the application. There is also a portable version available so you can run it without installing.
Following is a screenshot of CSMenu in action:
You can Pin its shortcut to Taskbar so that you can use it similar to Start button.
You can also hide default Start ORB using "Start Killer".
You can give it a try using following link:
NOTE: When we install it, it didn't create its shortcut in Programs menu or Desktop. If you also face this problem, you can run its EXE file from "%programfiles\CSMenu" folder.
PS: At the installation time, make sure to select "Custom Installation" option and uncheck "Install the Ask Toolbar" checkbox.
This article was posted in Portable Apps, Software Zone, Windows 7.
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Vadim
> Once someone told me that, using Classic start menu it is very easy to open "Microsoft Word" > than using Vista style start menu.
> He said Start->Run->winword opens Word in Classic style.
> I replied Start->word (Case insensitive) Vista Style.
Both of you wrong.
Opening Word in classic menu is Start->N->Enter (3 keys, 0.5 sec).
Opening existing document is Start->O->[Searching for document]->Mouse double click (Most of the time is searching for document).
So, the old style menu was perfect. If you remember key presses, nearly any application may be launched in a fraction of a second.
Andy
"Mark said:
Personally, I think the new start menu WAY less complicated than the old one. I think it's great how everything is set out neatly and stuff, but if some people prefer the old one, this will be welcomed."
It takes me MUCH longer to use the new start menu than the Win2k classic. I always disable the 'Personalize Menu' and set the menus in Control Panel - System - Advanced for max performance and then 'Sort by Name'.
Instead of one click on start, then the next click launching the app after navigating the flyout menus (max 1-2 secs and 2 clicks), I have to do the following:
Click Start
Click All Programs
Scroll down
Find the Program Group containing the app and click on it.
Click on the app.
Takes 5 secs and 5 clicks.
Please explain to me how that is better or less complicated?
Galmok
I don't mind the Vista/Win7 start menu, in fact, I prefer it to the Classic one, but I REALLY do mind losing the "All Programs" menu. I remember the location of the apps I run and therefore I make 2 mouse clicks and the program is started.
Moving the hand away from the mouse and to the keyboard is annoying and removes focus from what I want to do. Also, if you continously have to start various programs, moving your hand between mouse and keyboard will cause irritation in your shoulder and wrist joints.
The win7 way may be a good solution for newbies and people rarely starting any program, but thats basically it. Microsoft failed with this.
CSMenu doesn't completely give me what I want in that it only offers the full Classic package (I do want many of the links the new menu offers, but I don't want my programs menu using 1/20 of my screen when the menu could have used the entire screen. I payed good money for that monitor and having my list of programs presented in such a crammed frame is plainly stupid.
Besides, the new menu is horrible for people with spelling problems (more of those around than you might think) and for those who can't remember what the program is called but (in the old All Programs menu) knew where it was located.
Microsofts stupidity/arrogance knows no limit.
Due to the loss of the All Programs menu, Vista/XP is supperior to Windows 7 in my book.
Schwabe
The Classic Start menu is better because you can create your own subfolders.
Yes by default it is cumbersome: Start > Program Files > Office > Word
However, if your smart: Start > Stuff > Word
Or Start > Games >
Yes, navigtating through the "All Programs" tree is annoying - which is why you create your own subfolders that rest at the root of the Start Bar. For Games, Stuff, Sound & Video, Web, Development, etc
Otis
I will say this nicely. I have had a computer ever since 1981, I remember the Ataris and the Commodores and their operating systems, and I remember DOS right up to Vista. I have also played computer games ever since that time, and I still have and play some of them even though they are close to thirty years old. Right now, I have over 80 different programs in folders and subfolders on my start menu, and the number is growing. THAT'S RIGHT, OVER EIGHTY PROGRAMS ON MY START MENU. Some of these programs Windows doesn't even know are there, because they predate the times of the Windows Registry. At the moment, it takes me less than 3 seconds to get to any one of those programs. Until someone can tell me how to juggle that amount of programs on the new Start Menu, I am not buying Windows 7.
Some people say the new Start Menu is easier than the older one, and they may be right, but I would like them to handle over 80 programs on the new menu as easily as I can on the classic menu. Some people also say that we must look forward and accept new things, and to them I say,I did not like them dropping DOS compatbility, but I can understand and accept that. However, this is not technological evolution, this sacrificing convenience and accessibility to pander to the computer the illiterate.
While I understand most people do not have the experience I do, I do not like having to sacrifice what I might have to admit are advanced features because of them. I like my computer, I paid good money for it, and I like an operating system that lets me customize it how I want. If newbies cannot or will not do this, that is their right, but I do not like being forced into their niche.
One last word to Micro$oft and all other people who state accessibity to new users. This is not the 1980s people, computers are no longer complicated things that only the geniuses and geeks can understand. Almost everybody has a working knowledge of computers now, and I think it is time to stop catering to the very very few who do not, and start catering to the overwhelming majority that actually do understand them.
Juanita
The new Start menu, is fine, the all programs list is terrible, I have over 200 pgrograms installed on my computer, with xp I could create my own folders, ie media programs, office programs, utilities programs etc, then drop and drag the respective start icon into that folder, I could also arrange everything exactly how I want it, ever tried searching through over 200 names in one huge alphabetical list, that you have to scroll through, a nightmare to say the least.
I also used to be able to remove all my icons from the desktop into a neat little taskbar I had on auto hide at the top of my screen for my most used programs, had to install a third party program for that one also.
What I don't understand, is that for those who love the new look great, but they never used the functions I am talking about anyway, so why remove them.
Its not that i actually like the look of the old programs list, but it functioned far better for what I need. Surely it wouldnt have been too hard to leave it so I could group my programs together and not have to scroll through one impossible long list.