Well Zaida , The Start Menu and Start Button are user interface elements in the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, which serve as the central launching point for application and tasks.
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 Windows Desktop Update included 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 transplanted other items like My Computer and My Network Places from the Windows desktop.
Technically, the Start Menu is not required, as all programs and files can be opened by navigating to them in the Windows Explorer interface. However, the Start Menu provides a much easier and consolidated 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.
Later developments in Internet Explorer and subsequent Windows releases have allowed users to customize the Start Menu and access and expand Internet Explorer Favorites, My Documents and Administrative Tools (Windows 2000 and later) 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.
In Windows Vista, the Start Menu has undergone some significant changes, with the taskbar icon no longer labeled "Start" but simply the pearl icon (of the window-frame in an orb). At the top level, the Start Menu, as in Windows XP, has 2 columns of menu choices (rather than 1 column, see image at top), but many features have moved to new option names: there are no longer "Settings" or "Run" or "Shutdown" options, but those names could be added to the Start Menu by an experienced user. As in Windows XP, the option "Control Panel" has been added directly, invoking a new Control Panel (which also has new option names differing from XP). Perhaps over 70% of the menu is new, but with obvious names (such as "Music" or "Games"). Other options can be added, such as right-clicking the Calculator accessory to add into the Start Menu.
For more details , Please visit the source site :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S tart_menu
Answered by
Alok Gupta
, an ibibo Guru,
at
1:54 PM on August 09, 2008
