Start menu

In Windows terms, the Start menu is a menu that holds programs and options you may be looking for. It is simple and has quick access to make the computer easy.

The major Start menu was introduced in Windows 95.

History

Pre-origin

In Windows 3.0, the menu application known as the Program Manager was introduced. This allowed users to easily find all their programs, rather than having a DOS-like file manager and having to rummage through it for .EXE files, surrounded by others.

Program Manager in Windows for Workgroups 3.11.

However, most of this was just all programs sorted into folders. As this was a good option to have, it was just a window.

Major introduction

Microsoft simplified the Program Manager and the File Manager along the way, until major introduction of the Start menu (replacing Program Manager) and the Windows Explorer (replacing File Manager).

Start menu in Windows 95. The Start menu had a simple design, yet it was very simple based on its functionality.

Windows 98 still kept the concept of the original Start menu, except it did have a few improvements compared to Windows 95.

The Windows 98 Start menu. Notice the left rectangle now says “Windows 98” and it’s colored blue. Also notice the new logoff and Windows Update features.

Windows 2000 and ME had basically the same concept, no different from the Windows 98 Start menu.

Expansion in Windows XP

In Windows XP, the Start menu was improved to have more features and it was expanded to have two columns.

The new Start menu introduced with Windows XP. Notice that it now has two columns and an “All Programs” button.

The Start menu was now more customizable. Here’s how it differs:

Luna (default theme of Windows XP)

Classic

Royale (only available in some editions of Windows XP)

Start Search introduction

In Windows Vista, the Start menu was updated a lot in its look, but a little bit based on its functionality.

The Start menu now featured a transparent black-and-white beam on it, showing part of the desktop. It also featured the new Start Search.

Updated Start menu, now featuring a search option.

Start menu in Windows Basic visual style.

Classic view.

Standard view with All Programs menu.

This type of Start menu was also slightly updated in Windows 7, based on its look. The transparent beam was now the window color, the “Start Search” wording said “Search programs and files”, and the power options were now text buttons.

Windows 7 Start menu.

In the earliest builds of Windows 8, there was, in fact, a small Start menu, like previous versions. The left column was used for metro apps and live tiles, and the right column was no different from the previous one.

Start menu in Windows 8.

Expansion in Windows 8

Soon enough, starting with the Windows 8 Developer Preview, the Start menu wasn’t even a navigation menu anymore. Microsoft introduced the concept of the Start screen, which is basically a Metro full-screen Start menu with Live Tiles.

The Start screen didn’t go very successful in the first place, as many people and users were very frustrated with the Start screen waving the good old Start menu goodbye and then plastering it.

The infamous Start screen in Windows 8.

In Windows 8.1, the Start button returned, with no change but to lead you to the Start screen once clicked. However, there was now a new search and power option and a down button to view apps. Also, you could now make tiles not only medium or wide, but also small or large.

Updated Windows 8.1 Start screens. The one to the left was used in a preview.

Return of Start menu in Windows 10

In early builds of Windows 10, the Start menu made its big return with Start search. This time, though, it was a little confusing, because metro apps were now on the right column, and folders were on the left.

Build 9926 of Windows 10 introduced a new full-screen function, triggered by the Expand Start button in the top-right of the Start menu. In older builds and the official release, you actually have to go to Settings (Control Panel in oldest builds) go to Start settings, then check the box “Use Start full screen”. In Control Panel, you go to Taskbar and Navigation Properties, go to the “Start Menu” tab, and check “Use Start screen instead of Start menu”.