Windows Taskbar and Start Menu

Task Bar and System Tray

The Taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the screen that starts with the Start Menu and ends with the System Tray. The Taskbar lists open application and if turned on, has links to frequently accessed applications.

Windows Taskbar

There are several properties you can set by right-clicking on the taskbar and choosing Properties. On Windows XP, you can make the taskbar and Start Menu look like the Windows 2000 version by clicking on the Advanced tab and selecting “Classic Start Menu.”

Start Menu

Nothing has evolved more over the years than the Start Menu. The Start Menu is probably the most frequently accessed part of your system and you use it to open applications, open the Control Panel, or a command prompt.

We started in the Windows 9x era with a small Start Menu, it evolved into a very wide Start Menu with a lot of options in Windows XP, and shrunk down to a more manageable size in Windows Vista (and lost the name “Start” menu – replaced by a Windows logo. Rumor has it that Prince (or the star formerly known as Prince) had a hand in forcing the Start Menu to lose its name into Windows Vista and be replaced by formerly known as the Start Menu. Another rumor is Bill Gates was tired of people using the joke, “Only Microsoft would come with an operating system where you have to click Start to shut down.”

Figure 33: Windows 95 Start Menu

The Windows 95 Start Menu is the first iteration of the Start menu – notice the annoying multiple levels of folders to open what you’re looking for.

Figure 34: Windows 98 Start Menu

Not much changed in the Start Menu from Windows 95 to 98 – other than the number on the left…

Figure 35: Windows ME Start Menu

As you’ll notice in the picture, Windows ME changed… well, not much. Same ole Start Menu.

Figure 36: Windows 2000 Start Menu

Why mess with a good thing? Well, Microsoft apparently didn’t want to. Windows 2000 Professional has the same Start Menu you’re used to.

Windows XP Start Menu

Windows XP changes the Start Menu significantly from previous versions. First, you will see a quick access area to your most frequently used applications. The different menus have changes and moved, with the old Programs menu changed to All Programs and relocated to the bottom.

Windows Vista Start Menu

Microsoft changed the Start Menu in Windows Vista in another attempt to improve user productivity. Now, instead of using a pop-out menu for All Programs, the Vista Start Menu changes the left pane depending on what you are looking for. You will also notice the Run command is missing – it can be added back through the Start Menu Properties dialog box.

A “search” field has been entered at the bottom. It also acts like a Run command – for example, if you type in calc and press Enter, the calculator application will be loaded.