To pin programs or folders to the XP Start Menu, Right click the start button and select properties Choose the Start Menu radio button and click the Customize button Set the "Number of Programs on Start Menu" to Zero (0) (this prevents the items from changing in the future) Now anything (Program shortcut, Folder shortcut, Document shortcut) that you drag to the Start Button will be pinned to the left side of the Start Menu. Note that the Start Menu will open and let you position the new item wherever you want in the list (shows a horizontal line). To remove an item, right click it and choose "remove from list". To reposition an item, just drag it. To pin a program, Open the folder that contains the executable (.exe file) (or a shortcut) Drag the executable to the Start button To pin a folder, Open the folder that contains the folder you want to pin Drag the folder to the Start button To pin a document, Open the folder that contains the document you want to pin Drag the document to the Start button. Start Menu items are all shortcuts, it's like dragging something to the quick launch bar or to the desktop creates a shortcut. When you hover with it, it shows the little curly shortcut arrow, instead of a plus sign as it would when copying the actual item. You can also create a "toolbar" from any folder and pin it to the quick launch bar (name it something short). You can set it to be 'closed' except for the folder name and then click on the arrow when you want to choose something from it. Or you can pull the toolbar out of the quick launch area (or into it) so that it can be "pinned" open (like the taskbar) to an edge of the desktop - however, even if you choose, always on top for it, some applications may not honor its boundaries as the desktop edge and may slip under it. (Windows folders will, however, honor the boundaries). I have one at the top of my screen that contains frequently used folders, so I can just drag things into them. You can rename these items to something very short - 2 to 5 characters. The spacing for every item will be as long as the longest name. You have to UNlock the taskbar to see the "handles" (vertical rows of dots) for toolbars pinned to the taskbar. You need the handles showing to move such items, but then LOCK the taskbar when you are done to prevent anything from accidentally moving or changing (the handles disappear). You can use the handles to drag the item closed against an edge of taskbar so it only takes a tiny space & won't open until you click it. You can lock/unlock the taskbar by right clicking an empty spot & clicking "lock the taskbar" to toggle the checkmark beside it. I have one taskbar folder toolbar (EML) for opening an email provider (Outlook Express, Gmail, etc), one (F) for frequently used folders, one (SRCH) for search programs, and one (SITE) for frequently accessed web pages. Very handy features of XP & very easy to use. Good Luck. AnnaSummers ----- Original Message ----- From: Kenneth Whyman SC To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 2:14 AM Subject: Re: XP Menu Windows XP doesn't have the "pin" functions of Vista and Windows 7 to make certain stuff stick where you want it, at least not natively. A desktop skinning program like Windowblinds or something similar may be able to help. Just watch the price tag or the included goodies (malware, etc). Probably the same route to add folders beyond what Windows by default can do through the Start Menu properties. A much simpler solution for frequently used files is to place a shortcut to the file onto your desktop. It can create clutter, and each icon takes memory and CPU time to draw, but it's included functionality. Hope this steers you towards what you need. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [PCBUILD] XP Menu From: Brad Feuerhelm <[log in to unmask]> Date: Tue, August 16, 2011 11:15 am To: [log in to unmask] I have XP Pro Svc. Pk 3. I'm sure most of you know when you hit the start button the menu pops up showing a bunch of stuff like control panel, printers and the such. What I would like to be able to do is with the recent documents menu. Either a way to expand the list fully or to be able to scroll through the list or force a recent document to be at the top of the list all the time. The doc is a text file. I do a lot of photo, and graphic work so the list gets pretty big and it only shows the top 15 items. Also is there a way to add a folder on that side of the menu along with recent, my pictures, my music and so forth? Brad Feuerhelm PCBUILD's List Owners: Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]> Mark Rode<[log in to unmask]> Visit our website regularly for FAQs, articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more http://freepctech.com Visit our website regularly for FAQs, articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more http://freepctech.com