Author: Trisha

Windows XP shows the shortcuts to recently used programs in the modern style of the Start Menu. The default number of recently used programs shown is six. But you can change how many recently used programs, if you want to.

Windows XP highlights newly installed programs in the Start Menu using pale yellow color. This can be useful feature to instantly know where your newly installed program’s shortcuts are. But you can disable it if you want to.

The Run command shortcut in Windows XP Start Menu enables you to run any command or program by entering the program path name in the Run dialog. But you can also access the Run dialog using the Windows hotkey Windows logo key + R. This makes the shortcut in the Start Menu almost useless. If you prefer to use the hotkey, then you may want to remove the Run shortcut from the Start Menu.

The command prompt window in Windows is the favorite tool for geeks. If you frequently use the command prompt window, then you can create a shortcut to the command prompt window on your Desktop.

You can add the Desktop toolbar to the Windows taskbar in Windows XP to access all the shortcuts on your Desktop from the comfort of the taskbar. The Desktop toolbar opens up into a menu containing all the shortcuts on your desktop including My Computer icon too.

Windows XP automatically hides the unused icons from the system tray

The Control Panel in the modern Start Menu of Windows XP is shown as a link. But if you want to show it as an expandable menu, then you can do so very easily. This way you can select a Control Panel item right from the Start Menu.

Windows XP Control Panel has two views – category and classic. The category view lists items grouped according to their behavior or functionality. The classic view lists all the items in the same window. You can toggle between the two views easily.