PCSTATS     
[X]   Directory of
Guides & Reviews

Beginners Guides
Motherboards by Brand
Weekly Newsletter
Archived Newsletters

+70 MORE Beginner GUIDES....
Beginners Guides: 104 Tech Tips for Windows XP
Beginners Guides: 104 Tech Tips for Windows XP - PCSTATS
From quick tips to WindowsXP, right through to cool tweak, toys and experiments, PCSTATS has go you covered with over a hundred new Tech Tips!
 100% Rating:   
Filed under: Beginners Guides Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: PCSTATS May 01 2007   M. Dowler  
Home > Reviews > Beginners Guides > PCSTATS

WindowsXP Interface Tips 1-2

WindowsXP Interface Tips

1. Increase the Amount of Frequently Used Programs Displayed on the Start Menu

The Windows XP user interface has some learning features, whereby it will customize itself to fit your computing style. One of the most obvious examples of this is the frequently used programs section on the bottom left side of the start menu, where shortcuts for the programs you have most recently used are displayed. Normally, this section only has room for about six program icons, but it's a fast and handy way to access your software, so why not add more?

To increase the amount of icons in the frequently used programs list right click on the start menu and choose 'properties.' Select the 'customize' button to the right of the 'start menu' option.

Change the 'select an icon size for programs' option to 'small icons' and in the 'number of programs on start menu' counter below, enter a new value based on how many icons you would like to see. Realistically, depending on your desktop resolution you are not likely to be able to fit more than 15 or so icons here, but enter a higher number if you wish. The system will cut off what it can't display. Hit 'ok' and enjoy your newly useful start menu.

2. Remove the Frequently Used Programs List From the Start Menu

In complete contradiction to the previous tip, this will show you how to wipe out the frequently used programs section of the start menu altogether. The trouble with this feature is that it only shows the programs you have last used. You have no control over it other than to use your programs frequently. The 'pinned' programs section above the frequently used programs section of the start menu, on the other hand, displays whatever shortcuts you want it to.

To obtain more space for pinned programs, you can remove the frequently used programs completely.

To do this open Regedit:
Navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer'.

Create a new DWORD value called 'NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList' and give it the value '1'.

Reboot or restart the explorer process to enable this tip. Now you have much more start menu space to drag and drop your own shortcuts.

< Previous Page © 2023 PCSTATS.com
Please respect the time and effort that went into creating each PCSTATS Beginners Guide, do not illegally copy. Thank you.
Next Page >

 

Contents of Article: PCSTATS
 Pg 1.  Beginners Guides: 104 Tech Tips for Windows XP
 Pg 2.  — WindowsXP Interface Tips 1-2
 Pg 3.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 3-6
 Pg 4.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 7-9
 Pg 5.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 10-11
 Pg 6.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 12-14
 Pg 7.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 15-17
 Pg 8.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 18-20
 Pg 9.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 21-23
 Pg 10.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 24-25
 Pg 11.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 26-30
 Pg 12.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 31
 Pg 13.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 32-33
 Pg 14.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 34-36
 Pg 15.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 37-39
 Pg 16.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 40-41
 Pg 17.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 42-46
 Pg 18.  Computer Security Tips 47
 Pg 19.  Computer Security Tips 47 con't
 Pg 20.  Computer Security Tips 48-49
 Pg 21.  Computer Security Tips 50-51
 Pg 22.  Computer Security Tips 52
 Pg 23.  Computer Security Tips 53-54
 Pg 24.  WindowsXP Shortcut Tips 55-57
 Pg 25.  WindowsXP Shortcut Tips 58-63
 Pg 26.  Disk and Storage Management Tips 64
 Pg 27.  Disk and Storage Management Tips 65-67
 Pg 28.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 68-69
 Pg 29.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 70-71
 Pg 30.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 72-75
 Pg 31.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 76-78
 Pg 32.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 78 con't
 Pg 33.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 79-81
 Pg 34.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 82-85
 Pg 35.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 86-90
 Pg 36.  Networking and Internet Tips 91-93
 Pg 37.  Networking and Internet Tips 94-97
 Pg 38.  Networking and Internet Tips 98-101
 Pg 39.  Networking and Internet Tips 102-104

 
Hardware Sections 


 
PCSTATS Network Features Information About Us Contact
FrostyTech
PCSTATS Newsletter
Tech Glossary
Technology WebSite Listings
News Archives
(Review RSS Feed)
Site Map
PCstats Wallpaper
About Us
Privacy Policy
Advertise on PCSTATS

How's Our Driving?
© Copyright 1999-2023 www.pcstats.com All rights reserved. Privacy policy and Terms of Use.