Using the Start Menu

The key to getting started with the Windows desktop is learning how to use the Start button on the taskbar. Clicking the button on the taskbar displays the Start menu, a list of commands that allow you to start a program, open a document, change a Windows setting, find a file, or display support information. The top of the Start menu indicates who is currently using the computer. The left column of the Start menu is separated into two lists: pinned items above the separator line and most frequently used items below. The pinned items remain on the Start menu, like a push pin holds paper on a bulletin board. The most frequently used items change as you use programs: Windows keeps track of which programs you use and displays them on the Start menu for easy access.

The right column of the Start menu provides easy access to folders, Windows settings, help information, and search functionality. An arrow next to a menu item indicates a cascading menu, or submenu, which is a list of commands for that menu item. Pointing at the arrow displays a submenu from which you can choose additional commands. As you become more familiar with Windows, you might want to customize the Start menu to include additional items that you use most often and change Windows settings in the Control Panel to customize your Windows desktop.

As you continue to install programs on your computer, finding them on the Start menu can sometimes be difficult. Windows Vista makes it easy with the Instant Search bar (New!), which allows you to search the Start menu to find programs and other Windows items, such as Internet favorites, history, files, contacts, e-mail messages, and appointments. To perform a search, click the Start menu, click in the Search box and start typing the search text you want. As you type, the Start menu shows the possible results with priority given to the programs you use frequently. The search results continue to narrow as you continue to type. If you don’t find what you are looking for during a search, you can click Search Everywhere or Search the Internet to use Windows search capabilities.

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Start Menu Commands

CommandDescription
InternetStarts your Internet browser; by default, Internet Explorer
E-mailStarts your e-mail program; by default, Outlook Express
All ProgramsOpens a list of all the programs included on the Start menu
Instant Search (New!)Locates programs, and other Windows items, such as Internet favorites, history, files, contacts, e-mail messages, and appointments
DocumentsOpens the Documents folder, where you store and manage files
PicturesOpens the Pictures folder, where you store and manage photos, images, and graphic files
MusicOpens the Music folder, where you store and manage sound and audio files
GamesOpens the Games folder, where you play Windows Vista games, such as Chess Titans, FreeCell, Hearts, InkBall, Mahjong Titans, Minesweeper, Purble Place, Solitaire, and Spider Solitaire
Search (New!)Allows you to locate programs, files, folders, or computers on your computer network, or find information or people on the Internet
Recent ItemsOpens a list of the most recently opened and saved documents
ComputerOpens the Computer window, where you access information about disk drives and other hardware devices
NetworkOpens the Network window, where you can connect to a network
Connect ToOpens the Connect to a Network window, where you can connect to a remote network, including wireless, dial-up, and Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Control PanelProvides options to customize the appearance and functionality of the computer
Default ProgramsDisplays the Default Programs window, where you can choose default programs for Web browsing, e-mail, playing music, and other activities
Help and Support (New!)Displays Windows Help topics, tutorials, troubleshooting, support options, and tools
Power (New!)Keeps your session in memory and puts the computer in low-power state so you can quickly resume working
Lock (New!)Locks the computer
Arrow (New!)Provides options to shut down the computer, restart the computer, set the computer to sleep or lock, log off the system, or switch to a different users


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