Start Menu X (also known as Start Menu XP) is a handy program that allows to change Windows 7 start menu to Vista (or Windows XP) style. You don’t need to scroll down for a particular application stored in a folder, like Windows 7 start menu. Once installed, you can simply access the application just by taking the mouse cursor to that folder, just like it happens in Windows XP. It will help to access applications more conveniently and you can also add items to groups. Thus, similar applications can be grouped in a same category (or folder). For example, for all games available on PC, you can add them in Games folder. This will let you manage programs and applications more easily.
See the above screenshot that shows how Windows 7 start menu will look after using Start Menu XP. You can do some more tweaks, like you can replace start button, can schedule auto shutdown, hibernate, and can customize the hotkeys to hibernate, lock, log off pc, to access user account, etc.
Note: This free version of Start Menu X is limited in features. There are only five groups that you can use. Neither you can edit nor you can delete groups. On the other hand, PRO version allows to create, edit, delete groups, as well as lets you add new tabs that helps to add more stuff on start menu. You can continue with this free version or can upgrade to pro version according to your requirement.
Key Features Present In Free Start Menu X are:
- It allows to change Windows 7 start menu to Vista style. However, you will be able to use both the styles. If you click a bit away from start button, then original Windows 7 will be available to use. And on clicking on start button, Start Menu X will show its own start menu.
- You will be able to change the start button of Windows 7.
- It allows to schedule auto PC shutdown, hibernate, restart, or lock PC. Hence, you don’t need any software to schedule computer start up separately.
- Virtual groups are also available in free version that allows to add similar items in same category. 5 virtual groups will be available in which you can add programs: Graphics, System, Office, Games, and Internet.
- It also lets you drag n drop an application to add in any other folder.
- Less than 5 MB. Free for everyone.
- You can enable auto start of this application with Windows startup.
How To Use Start Menu X To Change Windows 7 Start Menu?
Install Start Menu X to PC and it will run on system tray. Now you can click on Start button to see the changes in start menu. All the programs and folders will be accessible in one go. There ain’t any need to click on a folder and scroll down for accessing a particular program, like it is needed in Windows 7 start menu. Simply place your mouse cursor on a folder and access its contents.
You will also find by default virtual groups that you can use to add similar items.
Apart from these virtual groups, you can use Power icon to add power options on start menu. Right-click on power icon and add needy power options.
To access more options of Start menu X, either right-click on start button or right-click on system tray icon. After accessing options, you will be able to:
- change the start button of Windows 7.
- access personalization option that allows to enable/disable virtual groups. Moreover, you can also manage virtual groups that lets you add/remove programs for virtual groups. But as I mentioned earlier, you won’t be able to add, edit, or remove groups using this free version.
- change hotkeys to use lock, hibernate, user account, power control options.
Similar start menu customizer software are: Vista Start Menu, Start Menu 7, and Start Menu Reviver.
Conclusion:
Start Menu X is useful for all those users that finds it uneasy to access programs using Windows 7 start menu. Start Menu X allows to access them in Windows XP style, plus gives beneficial features in addition. Try it out yourself, use the link present below to download it:
