In Build 7022

Feb 17, 2009 08:54 GMT  ·  By

Along with the evolution of the Aero graphical user interface in Windows 7, one of the aspects of the operating system that suffered a consistent revamping process is the Start Menu. Users running Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 and later, including the leaked Windows 7 Build 7022 from the Release Candidate branch, will be able to notice a variety of changes from functionality to visual style. If the new Start orb animation and the search box usage tweaks manage to immediately stand out, the ability of the new Start Menu to grow to nothing short of monstrous proportions is less evident in the evolution of the component. With the additional flexibility and control delivered to end users in Windows 7, Microsoft allows the them to build a monster Windows 7 Start Menu, that dwarfs Windows Vista's.

I included a few screenshots designed to give users an idea of just how much they can extend the Start Menu in Windows 7 compared to what is available by default, and to what Vista has to offer. The images feature the Start Menu in Windows 7 Build 7022, Windows 7 pre-Beta Milestone 3 Build 6956 and of course Vista SP1 Build 6001. In Windows 7 the Start Menu can be elevated to the size of a skyscraper compared to Vista. And it's all about the options that users can easily add to the component.

Right-clicking on an empty space on the Taskbar (the Superbar) will produce a context menu that will offer access to the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties. Under the Start menu tab, users will have the option to “customize how links, icons, and menus look and behave in the Start menu” by clicking Customize. In the customization window users will be permitted to expand the Start Menu in Windows 7 with a range of items that simply weren't there in Windows Vista.

Options such as Homegroup, Videos, Downloads, Recorded TV, and Administrative tools along with the items disabled by default will make the Windows 7 Start Menu tower Vista's with no problems. With a few exceptions such as Connect To, Default Programs, Device and Printers, etc., users can have Start Menu components display as a link, as a menu or not display at all.

Photo Gallery (7 Images)

Windows 7 Start Menu
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