Where is the classic start menu in Windows 7

[Rickkins]

The fact that Windows 7 is gearing up to be a ripping success tells me that you are totally utterly wrong, but hell don't let me stop you going on your delusional Anti-7 rants. You strike me as one of those people that will still be using XP in 2056 because you just can't adapt to change.

Microsoft follow what the majority want, and so far the majority say Windows 7 rules.

I realize that this is hard for you, so I'll type slowly.....

In the real world, where real people live, it is quite possible to like something, without liking every single thing, and without becoming a ***** ****** fanboi.

As a whole, win7 is very good, and I never said it wasn't.

But there several annoyances, and when I find something I don't like...or something that worked very well in a previous version but now functions less well, or with less functionality I'll say so...and your ****** little attacks won't change that.

* words removed due to ........

[Ci7]

I realize that this is hard for you, so I'll type slowly.....

In the real world, where real people live, it is quite possible to like something, without liking every single thing, and without becoming a ***** ****** fanboi.

As a whole, win7 is very good, and I never said it wasn't.

But there several annoyances, and when I find something I don't like...or something that worked very well in a previous version but now functions less well, or with less functionality I'll say so...and your ****** little attacks won't change that.

* words removed due to ........

guess ,it wont matter.

since they aren't going back to the old way anyway.

at some point you would have to move on

win7

support SSD , multicore cpus much better

that why xp is dead

[Subject Delta]

I realize that this is hard for you, so I'll type slowly.....

In the real world, where real people live, it is quite possible to like something, without liking every single thing, and without becoming a ***** ****** fanboi.

As a whole, win7 is very good, and I never said it wasn't.

But there several annoyances, and when I find something I don't like...or something that worked very well in a previous version but now functions less well, or with less functionality I'll say so...and your ****** little attacks won't change that.

* words removed due to ........

Great contribution :D what do you do for an encore?

[Rickkins]

guess ,it wont matter.

since they aren't going back to the old way anyway.

at some point you would have to move on

win7

support SSD , multicore cpus much better

that why xp is dead

Actually, the start menu is not, repeat not one of my main annoyances...(those have been well documented... :whistle: )

As for using win7...I am in fact using it as my main os, and I have no intention of going back to xp. As stated before, when I don't like something, I speak up...and that will never change. Most people get that...some never will.

[pcs800]

If the classic start menu is gone in the final release, It will definitely stop me from using 7 on any of my 10+ computers.

I have more than 460 programs installed on my main pc's and have my start menu structured like so http://www.hostsalive.com/screens/20090710-v7m-99kb.jpg

As you can see, there is no way in hell I would be able to use that useless space for "all programs" that MS is forcing on people.

I tried to do this in Windows 7 and there is no way to manually create the lettered folders accept when installing a program which allows me to alter the program folder upon installation.

Also, there is no sort by name, so everything gets all hosed up that way too after trying to manipulate the menu as I need to.

I think it is absolute BS to be "Steered" as a consumer, this is going to make me stick with XP through this whole windows 7 phase just as i stayed away from vista (accept this particular laptop I am currently writing on).

[joontje]

If the classic start menu is gone in the final release, It will definitely stop me from using 7 on any of my 10+ computers.

I have more than 460 programs installed on my main pc's and have my start menu structured like so http://www.hostsalive.com/screens/20090710-v7m-99kb.jpg

As you can see, there is no way in hell I would be able to use that useless space for "all programs" that MS is forcing on people.

I tried to do this in Windows 7 and there is no way to manually create the lettered folders accept when installing a program which allows me to alter the program folder upon installation.

Also, there is no sort by name, so everything gets all hosed up that way too after trying to manipulate the menu as I need to.

I think it is absolute BS to be "Steered" as a consumer, this is going to make me stick with XP through this whole windows 7 phase just as i stayed away from vista (accept this particular laptop I am currently writing on).

i used to be like that, then i found out you can type any program in the start menu and press enter and poof there it is! so much faster.

winkey > programname or keyword > enter ^^

Takes some getting used to but really its better and faster

[Danrarbc]

If the classic start menu is gone in the final release, It will definitely stop me from using 7 on any of my 10+ computers.

I have more than 460 programs installed on my main pc's and have my start menu structured like so http://www.hostsalive.com/screens/20090710-v7m-99kb.jpg

As you can see, there is no way in hell I would be able to use that useless space for "all programs" that MS is forcing on people.

I tried to do this in Windows 7 and there is no way to manually create the lettered folders accept when installing a program which allows me to alter the program folder upon installation.

Also, there is no sort by name, so everything gets all hosed up that way too after trying to manipulate the menu as I need to.

I think it is absolute BS to be "Steered" as a consumer, this is going to make me stick with XP through this whole windows 7 phase just as i stayed away from vista (accept this particular laptop I am currently writing on).

460 programs? Damn I'm surprised the pcs are still running.

Reformatting must be a real chore.

[thenext8seconds]

If the classic start menu is gone in the final release, It will definitely stop me from using 7 on any of my 10+ computers.

I have more than 460 programs installed on my main pc's and have my start menu structured like so http://www.hostsalive.com/screens/20090710-v7m-99kb.jpg

As you can see, there is no way in hell I would be able to use that useless space for "all programs" that MS is forcing on people.

I tried to do this in Windows 7 and there is no way to manually create the lettered folders accept when installing a program which allows me to alter the program folder upon installation.

Also, there is no sort by name, so everything gets all hosed up that way too after trying to manipulate the menu as I need to.

I think it is absolute BS to be "Steered" as a consumer, this is going to make me stick with XP through this whole windows 7 phase just as i stayed away from vista (accept this particular laptop I am currently writing on).

Um, you totally have control over how the All Programs folder is organized and all the shorcuts within it.

Click the start button, right click on All Programs and click Open All Users. You'll have to simply do Open also as some shortcuts are under that folder.

Then in each of those folders, you will have just have a folder called Programs which is where all your Start Menu All Programs shortcuts are kept

Then you can create folders, like a folder called "a", a folder called "b", a folder called "c", etc... And you can cut and paste your shortcuts into those folders. It's quite simple actually.

Here is how I have mine look when I click on "All Programs" in the Start Menu:

Notice how I just cut and pasted all the shortcuts out of their own folders so I could have them all together

Now you have no reason to not switch to Windows 7. Easy peasy!

[zhangm Supervisor]

If the classic start menu is gone in the final release, It will definitely stop me from using 7 on any of my 10+ computers.

I have more than 460 programs installed on my main pc's and have my start menu structured like so http://www.hostsalive.com/screens/20090710-v7m-99kb.jpg

As you can see, there is no way in hell I would be able to use that useless space for "all programs" that MS is forcing on people.

So you've lost sight of why you've created this meticulous structure. You did it so that you can easily find and launch a program. Vista and Windows 7 abolish the need for organizing Start Menu shortcuts into folders, because you can just type in what you want to launch. It is a faster and more efficient system than what you created. This might upset you, because now any idiot with fingers and a keyboard can launch programs and files faster than your old system, without giving any thought or effort to organizing their stuff.

I tried to do this in Windows 7 and there is no way to manually create the lettered folders accept when installing a program which allows me to alter the program folder upon installation.

It seems like you didn't try very hard then. You can create new folders just the same as in XP.

I think it is absolute BS to be "Steered" as a consumer, this is going to make me stick with XP through this whole windows 7 phase just as i stayed away from vista (accept this particular laptop I am currently writing on).

Yup, you're being steered. Just like people were coerced into using a GUI during the MSDOS/Windows transition, or forced to use a taskbar during the Win3.11 to Windows 95 transition. You're quite welcome to stick with the old, there is no need to try and drag the rest of us down with you.

[joontje]

i for one am GLAD that the classic start menu is gone god i hate that thing since the new XP menu.

what i did find a pity was that in vista when you pressed 'all programs' it was integrated into the same thing wich took some getting used to, but since i know what everything is named anyways i just use keywords to run things on my computer (aka winkey > keyword > enter = program)

I do think there should be an option to make the all programs pop up like it used to in XP, its a compromise wich might satisfy some people.. Microsoft gets their 'New' start menu interface and people get to pick if they want their program list integrated or pop outside of the menu.

Thats fair no ?

And why would you not want to get win7 at all just because of the start menu? its a superior OS to vista and xp, surely someone smarter than us might write an app/hack that will allow/enable the classic start menu.

[ATLien_0]

yesterday, i hoped on an old XP machine at work that had the classic start menu. Its been about a year or so since I have used the classic menu and I must say its really time to let it die. Everyone who is complaining that 7 needs it or won't switch to 7 because of it, you do realize that every future release of Windows from now on is not going to have it. I have no problem with people being content with XP, but its another thing to think that Microsoft is not going to evolve windows and change the UI. Keeping the old menu just meant more old lines of Code in Windows. Usability tests show that the new Start Menu is better

[Kirkburn]

If the classic start menu is gone in the final release, It will definitely stop me from using 7 on any of my 10+ computers.

I have more than 460 programs installed on my main pc's and have my start menu structured like so http://www.hostsalive.com/screens/20090710-v7m-99kb.jpg

Out of general interest, why do you have so many programs?

[Guest xiphi]

If the classic start menu is gone in the final release, It will definitely stop me from using 7 on any of my 10+ computers.

I have more than 460 programs installed on my main pc's and have my start menu structured like so http://www.hostsalive.com/screens/20090710-v7m-99kb.jpg

And I thought I had a lot of programs installed. I think you need to re-evaluate which ones you actually because there's no way you use all 460 programs. That's just craziness. By the way, you can still organize the start menu in 7 the same way you could in XP and Vista.

[Stetson]

If the classic start menu is gone in the final release, It will definitely stop me from using 7 on any of my 10+ computers.

I have more than 460 programs installed on my main pc's and have my start menu structured like so http://www.hostsalive.com/screens/20090710-v7m-99kb.jpg

As you can see, there is no way in hell I would be able to use that useless space for "all programs" that MS is forcing on people.

I tried to do this in Windows 7 and there is no way to manually create the lettered folders accept when installing a program which allows me to alter the program folder upon installation.

Also, there is no sort by name, so everything gets all hosed up that way too after trying to manipulate the menu as I need to.

I think it is absolute BS to be "Steered" as a consumer, this is going to make me stick with XP through this whole windows 7 phase just as i stayed away from vista (accept this particular laptop I am currently writing on).

How about, instead of going to "Start > Programs > A" which is two layers in to the start menu, you try hitting your Windows key or clicking on the start button and just typing the letter "A". There you go, problem solved, and you didn't have to spent 5 or 10 minutes making folders and moving programs into them.

[burnblue]

If the classic start menu is gone in the final release, It will definitely stop me from using 7 on any of my 10+ computers.

I have more than 460 programs installed on my main pc's and have my start menu structured like so http://www.hostsalive.com/screens/20090710-v7m-99kb.jpg

As you can see, there is no way in hell I would be able to use that useless space for "all programs" that MS is forcing on people.

I tried to do this in Windows 7 and there is no way to manually create the lettered folders accept when installing a program which allows me to alter the program folder upon installation.

Also, there is no sort by name, so everything gets all hosed up that way too after trying to manipulate the menu as I need to.

I think it is absolute BS to be "Steered" as a consumer, this is going to make me stick with XP through this whole windows 7 phase just as i stayed away from vista (accept this particular laptop I am currently writing on).

That takes way too much (mental) memory. I'm not going to look under 'A' when I want Nettools, or want to run an FLV player. I'd much rather type 'ne' or 'fl' (or 'a' if that's how I really remember it).

[terminx]

IMO, anyone with "more than 460 programs installed" has no idea what the hell they're doing anyway. Nice job downloading and installing every single piece of useless software you could find, never to be used more than once. :o

[joontje]

im surprised noone found this yet, but this may be the solution for those who REALLY want the classic start menu: Here!

[Prince21]

Bring back the old start bar ASAP, why not have it for the people who love it

[Quillz]

Bring back the old start bar ASAP, why not have it for the people who love it

Why doesn't Microsoft also bring back the MS-DOS Executive and the Program and File Managers for those who love them, too?

[Prince21]

They are taking out stuff that does not allow you to control the system, its a conspiracy...They make it all fancy and fairy so people become stupid...

[null_]

Why doesn't Microsoft also bring back the MS-DOS Executive and the Program and File Managers for those who love them, too?

:o File Manager doesn't work any more? Good Lord! :laugh:

[SkyDX]

Sigh I really fail to understand how the new start menu can be in any way slower then the classic one.... but each to his own....

I see it coming already... someday in Windows 8 or 9 I bet Microsoft will introduce a new designed fallback "theme" to replace the Windows Classic style and hell will break loose on various forums all over the world...

[PsychoDoughBoy]

They are taking out stuff that does not allow you to control the system, its a conspiracy...They make it all fancy and fairy so people become stupid...

I concur. GUIs are massively overrated.

[hdood]

Bring back the old start bar ASAP, why not have it for the people who love it

It makes the code three times as hard to maintain, because you have to maintain two compatible implementations side by side (as well as anything else that depends on it, and anything it depends on). This costs money, and takes away resources that could be used elsewhere. Nothing is free.

It also makes Windows inconsistent and more difficult to support.

When you have two different implementations of the same feature, removing one of them is almost always the right decision.

[iambk]

Actually, the "classic" Start menu was more or less unchanged since its introduction in Windows 95.

...and people complained about that back then too, asking where their Win3.1 Program Manager had gone.

You're right, there were some people that were concerned by the "classic Start menu" interface introduced to us in Chicago/Windows 95. And so Microsoft continued to include Program Manager in Windows through WindowsXP SP1, even allowing for the default shell to be changed to progman.exe. Microsoft finally removed it in Windows XP SP2 (actually, a "stub" was left behind) and Vista (not even a stub) and very few people noticed.

It might seem odd that I'm pointing this out when I'm a fan of the classic start menu, but I'm not trying to win an argument here. As we all know, winning an argument on the Internet typically doesn't mean much.

What's interesting to me is that Microsoft was willing to include the old Program Manager for years. I think it is reasonable to guess that Microsoft did this because they had concern about the opinion and perspective of the user base and in addressing this concern Microsoft removed a potential argument against upgrading to the new Windows release, Windows 95.

Microsoft included progman.exe despite the fact that the user base overwhelmingly preferred the new Start Menu interface. In fact, as I recall the new interface helped drive the Windows NT 4.0 release.

Now, to be fair Microsoft also included the classic start menu interface as an option in Windows XP, which introduced an updated more dynamic interface. However, unlike the removal of progman.exe, many users are actually taking notice that this classic start menu interface is being removed.