Start menu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Start Menu and Start Button are user interface elements in the Microsoft Windows product line, which serve as the central launching point for applications. By default, the Start Button is visible at all times in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. It features the Windows logo and the word "start".
Clicking the Start Button activates the Start Menu. The Start Menu can also be opened by pressing the Windows key [1] or holding the CTRL (control) key and then pressing the ESC (Escape) key on a conventional computer keyboard [2].
Traditionally, the Start Menu provided a customizable nested list of programs for the user to launch, as well as a list of most recently opened documents, a way to find files and get help, and access to the system settings. Later enhancements via Internet Explorer updates enabled items like access to special folders like "My Documents," "Favorites" (browser bookmarks), etc. Windows XP's Start Menu was expanded to encompass various My Documents folders (including My Music and My Pictures), and transplated other items like My Computer and My Network Places from the Windows desktop.
Technically, the Start Menu is not needed at all, as any programs and files can be opened by navigating to them in the Windows Explorer interface. However, the Start Menu provides a much easier way to open programs, even for experienced users. Microsoft uses the Start Menu more in each version of Windows as a way to shield novice users from the complexities of the operating system. For example, in Windows XP, the root, Program Files and Windows folders are hidden from the user by default, and access to programs is expected to be achieved through the Start Menu.
Ultimately, the Start Menu is a single point of access to programs, documents and settings, unlike other operating systems which use multiple GUI features to access programs (e.g. a Finder menu, or Program menu), files (e.g. a hard drive or file cabinet icon) and settings (a separate "Configuration" utility or set of utilities).
In Windows Vista, the word "Start" has been replaced by a blue Windows "pearl" logo.[1]
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[edit] History
In the earliest versions of Windows, a program called MS-DOS Executive provided basic file management and program menu capability. This was eventually replaced by the programs File Manager and Program Manager in Windows 3.0, with the Program Manager taking on the role of the program menu.
The Program Manager was a full windowed application, which required the whole screen to be used effectively. It consisted of a simple multiple document interface which allowed users to open "program groups" and then execute the shortcuts to programs contained within.
Windows 95 was the version in which the Program Manager was superseded by the Start Menu, which condensed the Program Manager into a popup menu that could be accessed at any time. It also boasted several advantages over the Program Manager, such as the ability to nest groups within other groups, and the ability to add to the Start Menu by dropping objects (program files, document files) onto the Start Button.
Later developments in Internet Explorer and subsequent Windows releases allowed users to customize the Start Menu and access and expand (IE) Favorites, My Documents and Administrative Tools (Windows 2000) from the Start Menu.
The most significant revision to the Start menu since its inception came in Windows XP. To help the user access a wider range of common destinations more easily, and to promote a greater sense of "personality", the Start menu was expanded to two columns; the left-hand column focuses on the user's installed applications, while the right-hand column provides access to the user's documents, and system functionality. Links to My Documents, My Pictures and other Special Folders are brought to the fore. The My Computer and My Network Places (Network Neighborhood in Windows 95 and 98) icons were also moved off the Desktop and into the Start menu, making it easier to access these icons while a number of applications are open (they could be restored optionally in the Display Properties control panel "Desktop" settings). Commonly used programs are automatically displayed in the left-hand menu, and the user may opt to "pin" programs to the start menu so that they are always accessible without having to navigate through the Programs folders.
[edit] Technical details
Users may add entries by creating various folders and shortcuts in the Start Menu folder, located in the hard drive. These appear in a separated section at the top of the Start Menu, or, if placed in the Programs sub-folder, in the Programs menu. In the Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Me, it is located in C:\Windows\Start Menu, or, if there are multiple users, C:\Windows\Profiles\username\Start Menu. In Windows 2000 and XP, the folder is located in C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu for individual users, or C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu for all users collectively. In all examples above, username represents the name of the user. These places can be easily accessed by right-clicking on the Start button, and clicking Open.
[edit] Symbolism
The "Start Button" and its menu were lauded as a leap forward in user friendliness and interface design when they were first introduced in Windows 95. The symbol of the Start Button was, and still is, used to advertise the product. Furthermore, Microsoft has embraced the word "start" as their "catch word", and it is frequently used in their advertising even today.
The use of the word "Start" is also seemingly a contradiction, as it is used to select the Shut Down option used to switch off (and therefore stop using) the computer. Some would counter that even an action such as "Shut Down" must at some point be "started". The Start button is used to start a task or process, including the Shut Down process.
[edit] Trivia
Like most facets of the Windows operating system, there are undocumented features of the Start Menu, and opportunities for customization. For instance, dragging a file or program onto the Start Button creates a top-level Start Menu item. Shortcuts on the Start Menu folder with keyboard shortcut key(s) assigned respond throughout the Windows environment. The Windows Power Toy TweakUI offers many other customizations, including speeding up the response time of the Start Menu, window animation, and other "power user" hacks.[2] [3] Many more tips and tricks are documented on the Web.[4] [5]
In 1995, Microsoft licensed the Rolling Stones' song "Start Me Up" for the Windows 95 marketing campaign.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Keith Combs (August 23, 2006). Windows Vista Aero Glass and Usability screencast. Channel 9. Microsoft. Retrieved on 2006-11-04.
- ^ Download page for Microsoft Windows Tweak UI Power Toy
- ^ O'Reilly Annoyances.org Tweak UI page
- ^ Windows 95/98 Tips
- ^ Korova Multimedia Windows 95 tips
[edit] External links
- Sullivan, Kent. "The Windows® 95 User Interface: A Case Study in Usability Engineering". (C) 1996 for Association for Computing Machinery, Inc. An article written by a developer on the Windows 95 UI team, detailing the usability studies and development processes that led to the creation of the Windows 95 interface.
- Start Menu Buttons - Visual history of Start Button
