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The Windows Start Menu is notoriously bloated. Here I will tell you how to organize things better.
If you are experimenting with customizing Windows, this guide is for you.
Please Note: This guide is designed for Windows Vista, but the same steps apply for Windows XP.
Lets begin, how do we get to the customize options? Right click on the 
button and select Properties.
Click the Customize… button.
Here you can change what shows up in the right section of the start menu. If you don’t use your Music folder, then why have it linked there? Have some fun getting rid of unnecessary links and then come back for more organizing tips.
After installing a few programs, your start menu can get cluttered. To reduce the number of folders in the left part of the menu, consider using folders like “Media“, “Internet” etc. To do this, click on All Programs.
Now right click on a folder and select Explore All Users.
Once in the windows explorer window, you can rename folders and put links together. I usually delete the shortcuts to readme files, help files, and uninstall links as these can all be accessed from other places, and I rarely use them.
Below is an example of my Media folder.
As you can see, this is a lot clearer and a lot easier to navigate.
If you have more questions about customizing your start menu, please comment or send a message via the Contact link.
About Rich
Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.
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Nice tip! I have changed my whole start menu now!
Nice tip! I have changed my whole start menu now!
Nice tip! I have changed my whole start menu now!
Nice, simple tip! Thank you
Nice, simple tip! Thank you
Nice, simple tip! Thank you
Good advice, although I only use the search really, so I dont do much organizing
Good advice, although I only use the search really, so I dont do much organizing
Good advice, although I only use the search really, so I dont do much organizing
Thanks
Thanks
[…] Customize Your Vista (or XP) Start Menu […]
Too bad you can only customize so much – but at least it is something!
But see – the point is you organize so that you don’t have to do the search every time!
Too bad you can only customize so much – but at least it is something!
But see – the point is you organize so that you don’t have to do the search every time!
But see – the point is you organize so that you don’t have to do the search every time!
Too bad you can only customize so much – but at least it is something!