Talk:Start menu

Not needed?

"Technically, the Start Menu is not needed at all, as any programs and files can be opened by navigating to them in the Windows Explorer interface. " But to open Windows Explorer, one has to right mouse click on Start Menu, right?--Mongol 18:54, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

windows explorer can be accessed through the 'windows key + e' keyboard shortcut. supine 16:39, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

Or open "My computer" on the desktop ... or shortcut 'WIN + R' and type in the desired folder ... or add it as a shortcut to the quicklaunch-bar ... or add an appropriate additional panel to the task bar ... or use a third-party program launch application, like a dock ... nuff said? — Mütze 22:39, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Anyone who used the Explorer to run programs is 14 years out of date with advances (like using MS-DOS Executive to run a proggie). Still, if used like a Mac, which is document-centric, then a user could use the Explorer to find a document, then double-click it to launch the appropriate program. Just my 2 cents.--David Spalding 14:33, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

Ah, but Command Prompt in Windows Operating Systems allows for advanced users to do pretty much all things File Explorer can do, and then some. Like, for example, File Explorer can't allow the user to view detailed system information, such as Boot Devices (ex. \Device\HarddiskVolume1), the BIOS Version (ex. Hewlett-Packard F.1B, 10/5/2011), the last time the system was turned on (ex. 11/21/2012, 8:34:19 AM), the first time the operating system's Original Install Date (ex. 9/22/2011, 6:21:44 PM), the Operating System's Product ID, Processors installed and how many, and so on. Command Prompt can also manage files without File Explorer being needed at all. In other words, it's just like File Explorer, but without the GUI. And a few added features. I only use it when I need to. It's generally somewhat easy for me to figure out how to use, but it's definitely different from the Windows GUI that I'm used to using. It's like a daily dose of OS Nostalgia that's preinstalled on the system. But overall, I like it. Despite its lack of a GUI. Plushtoy2000 21:16, 22 November 2012 (UTC)

Is Microsoft the inventor of Start Menu?

Hello!

I would like to know if Microsoft invented the Start menu, or took the idea from another operating system. --82.227.246.168 04:07, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

Depends on how you look at it. The idea that a user "starts" using their applications from a single button in the corner of the screen was almost certainly a Microsoft thing... but Mac System 7 (which came out in 1991) did introduce a more flexible "Apple" menu that a user could have arbitrary items on. and even in 1995 was fairly flexible in what could be placed in it. Apple didn't emphasise the use of the Apple menu for being a general-purpose application launcher, though... it still focused on the use of the Finder to navigate to applications. Warrens 04:29, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

Thank you. Is it worth mentioning in the article? --CutterX 05:28, 21 February 2006 (UTC)

Yes. Also, the aritcle is too pro-Start Menu. It should be pointed out that from the Mac point of view, the whole thing is just a kludge designed to cover up the cruftiness of the standard Windows directory system. --220.52.172.91

I believe writing from a "point of view" isn't something desirable in an encyclopedia. Besides, what about the dock? How does one launch an application in OS X? If not through the dock or desktop, then through the filesystem, correct?--24.68.141.169 21:03, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

This may just be a rumor, but the way I heard it Commodore (or it may have been Amiga Corporation at the time) actually were the first to introduce a "Start Menu", and actually patented the idea. However, the person in charge of renewing the patent forgot to and Microsoft jumped on the opportunity to include it in their OS. But again, that's just a rumor and I can't find anything to back it up.OPaul 05:01, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

It's too easy to point at a WIMP GUI and say, "they stole that idea." Apple tried in 1988. Since the Wikipedia espouses a NPOV, IMHO it's not appropriate to weigh in on these decades old arguments other to identify that there is some controversy over it. Couldn't MS say that Apple stole hte "quick launch toolbar" idea for their "dock?" Sure, but things like floating/docked toolbars are not unique ... Norton Desktop 2.0 had 'em, I'm sure earlier WIMPs had them. See how murky this gets? --David Spalding 14:38, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

I think "Start Menu" is way too common thing to be so Windows-centric. Windows is not the only one GUI, which uses concept of "Start Menu", there are hundreds, if not thousands of such GUI (Desktop Environments if you want). It is like "Window (computing)" main article would be about Notepad application window, not window in any of interfaces and/or applications. --91.203.48.238 (talk) 13:04, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

According to the article the "start" menu may have in some way originated from the X Window System -- which may mean that it is far older than the Windows version of the concept. The article is particularly vague on this point though and I have not found any source that collaborates on it. If it did originate (in a recognizable form) from another operating system then I would consider it something that should be stressed in the article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.167.145.223 (talk) 22:15, 15 January 2010 (UTC)

Tweaks and tricks

A user is trying to put specific tweaks into the page. Let's not initiate an "edit war," but I think a paragraph describing "there are undocumented features" is okay. Discussion? In accordance with WP:NOT, I think the less details, the better. --David Spalding 15:38, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

Agreed, tips and tricks are not particular encyclopedic - OPaul 22:24, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

Removing a pointless bit

The use of the word "Start" is also seemingly a contradiction, as it is used to select the Shut Down option used to switch off (and therefore stop using) the computer. Some would counter that even an action such as "Shut Down" must at some point be "started". The Start button is used to start a task or process, including the Shut Down process.

I'm getting rid of this since it really adds nothing to the article. It's not disputed or wrong or anything -- it just seems pointless to mention a debate about "starting" to "shut down" the computer (which I can't imagine ever being seriously debated anyway). (|-- UlTiMuS 19:00, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

Generic term

Is there no generic term for this phenomenon? Other OS's also have something similar and I specifically wanted to look it up for KDE and the only term I could come up with is 'start menu'. It would make sense if I could first go up to the generic article and then down to the KDE article (if (one day) it exists). So what's the generic term and is there an article on it? DirkvdM 08:53, 14 July 2007 (UTC)

Application menu could be one -- except most of the so called "start" menus also have some sort of dynamically generated list of documents that can be "started" through it. Personally I would go for something like desktop menu or system menu. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.167.145.223 (talk) 22:11, 15 January 2010 (UTC)

"Start" label in other countries

Was doing some research tonight on the Start menu (and not having huge success one one point...) I thought it might be an idea for a list of what 'Start' is called in other countries; for example, French Windows users have "Démarrer" instead. The Germans have Start too - they use Startseite for homepage, if I understand what I've read correctly. I don't think the German word for "start" is "start", but they seem to be one of those countries where English is allowed to pervade the national language. (I once saw "Chicago Hope" translated into "Chicago Hope: Hospital" there, even though the German word for hospital is krankenhaus. In any case, I reckon a set on this page (or a similar one on the Start icon/button) might be worthy of addition if the information was available to contributors. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.127.167.34 (talk) 01:38, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Chicago "Start" Menus

Should there be something about the Windows Chicago betas having 3 buttons that had more or less the same combined function of the start menu? I have beta 53 installed in a Virtual PC machine so I can take a screenshot. Blasterman 95 (talk) 03:23, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

Retrofit topic-year headers

18-April-2008: I have grouped older topics above using headers "Topics from 2006" (etc.) to emphasize age of topics. Older topics might still apply, but using the tactic of yearly headers to note the age helps avoid rehashing old news, without archiving any ongoing issues. Also, new topics are more likely to be added to the bottom, not top. I fixed the "Template:TOC" bug (of 6-Nov-2006) by removing {toc} from the top of page. -Wikid77 (talk) 14:21, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Added general overview about Vista Start Menu

18-April-2008: The section about changes with Vista had jumped into the Vista search-as-you-type box, without a simple introduction to the Vista Start Menu as a 2-column format with 70% new options. I added a whole paragraph, trying to describe an overview focus, and noting that options can be added to the Start Menu, such as the Calculator. The intent is to give an overview of the general features of the Start Menu, before describing minute details of each menu option. Similar general text could be added to that paragraph. -Wikid77 (talk) 14:38, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

start menu name is localized in XP too.

It always show you start in your language for any windows except the new ones which have orbs instead of start word. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.21.131.14 (talk) 14:13, 29 November 2009 (UTC)

in Classic Start Menu mode, dragging a file or program onto the Start Button creates a top-level Start Menu item.

Is this undocumented?--Dojarca (talk) 04:21, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

Windows 7 Start Menu

Why is the image at the top the windows 7 start menu? Shouldnt the main image be the windows vista start menu because this is just a beta and windows 7 hasnt been released yet? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.48.170.75 (talk) 23:22, 8 February 2009 (UTC)

What does the windows '98 Start button look like?

That's what I came here for and didn't find it. I'm never coming back! JK! Love ya, wikipedia! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.111.10.193 (talk) 23:34, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

Point?

What is the point of this. What is next? A wiki page on the "Maximize" button? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.96.118.177 (talk) 20:33, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

I think it is an important aspect of operating systems, from the basic to advanced users, and has a famous presence, even with dedicated buttons on almost every keyboard. Felipe lorenzzon (talk) 01:06, 8 May 2021 (UTC)

Move page to Start Menu?

Shouldn't the page be moved to [[Start Menu] with a capital "M"? SharkD  Talk  12:22, 19 May 2010 (UTC)

I don't think it should, menu is not a name, it's an "object" which means it should be "Start menu" in the start of a sentence, but not in a sentence. 193.189.241.36 (talk) 12:27, 27 May 2010 (UTC)

I disagree; "The Statue of Liberty" is an object... but note its capitalization.idfubar (talk) 06:37, 4 June 2017 (UTC)

Apparently it has been moved, but it should have stayed at Start menu: that's how Microsoft capitalises it in all documentation. There is no more reason to capitalise "Menu" in "Start menu" than, say, "Button" in "Rewind button" (of a video unit). 86.183.163.162 (talk) 16:08, 15 June 2011 (UTC)

Keeping consistent (staying with the creator's intention - in this case Microsoft) as far as possible is best; if Microsoft's documentation guidelines lead to "Start menu" then keeping all 72 occurrences that way is best...idfubar (talk) 06:38, 4 June 2017 (UTC)

References

I would remove the hyperlinks in the References section to Seven Classic Start and Classic Start Menu, they want $24.99 and €19.99 for them respectively. 78.20.145.31 (talk) 17:19, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

Merge from start screen

Hi.

Why don't we merge start screen into this article? After all their similarity of context is extremely close. The biggest difference the start screen has is the amount of screen it occupies (i.e. the entire screen), which I don't think is big enough to warrant a new article.

Best regards,
Codename Lisa (talk) 15:50, 16 June 2012 (UTC)

oppose- according to article, it is a SUCCESSOR to start menu.Greg Heffley 21:19, 18 June 2012 (UTC)

Hi, Greg

I know what article says and I previously said that I disagree. Start screen is nothing but a cosmetic change, unless you are totally impressed by Microsoft's "reimagined" marketing campaign. Furthermore, not every "successor" must have its own separate article in Wikipedia; notability, size and similarity of context are important factors. A merger ensures easier access to information.

Best regards,

Codename Lisa (talk) 18:38, 20 June 2012 (UTC)

Why are there only Windows screenshots?

Is there anything that argues against including screenshots of non-Windows Start menus such as the KDE/Gnome/Cinnamon or the OS X Start menu? -- Shellexecute run (talk) 15:49, 2 July 2012 (UTC)

Hi.

In case of Linux, I think the reason is that no one with the ability to add such screenshots knows about, cares about or otherwise is willing to take action in this regard. If you can and care, you are more than welcome to take action. (I can't. Sorry.)

In case of Mac however, it has its own article and it has a lot screenshots there. And since Mac is a proprietary OS, Wikipedia:Non-free content criteria policy does not allow us to bring any of those screenshots into this article.

Best regards,

Codename Lisa (talk) 20:25, 2 July 2012 (UTC)

Neutrality of the point of view regarding Windows 8

Hi. It is a known fact that Wikipedia is supposed to be written from a neutral point of view, meaning that it reports facts as they are without passing original judgments on them or distorting them. However, today I fixed on instance of violation of this policy in this article. I saw that Windows 8's application launcher, the Start screen was regarded something different and separate from the Start menu while in fact, it was the same. It is bigger, more colorful and different but its core nature is still to present a list of apps for the user to choose from. It is akin to Unity menu; that is also full screen but no fails to call it a menu. The Start screen is yet another Start menu. It is not neutral to put it into a different family from the 2nd gen Start menu and the classic Start menu.

Exaggeration has always been one of the techniques of advertisement. To draw attention to the new version of the Start menu, Microsoft needed to draw attention, call it by a different name and introduce it as a "new chapter in Windows evolution". But in Wikipedia, it should always be presented as yet another evolution.

Best regards,
Codename Lisa (talk) 08:58, 15 December 2012 (UTC)

I don't see how you can say that the Start Screen is the same as the Start Menu. The later is a menu that lists programs, components and other stuff in a menu, categorizing most of them under folders or submenus, whereas the former is a feature that covers the whole screen and shows squares and rectangles that display different types of information and are linked to apps and programs. It's closer to Windows Phone's home screen and iOS' Springboard than to the Start Menu. Do you consider those SM clones? 190.227.253.112 (talk) 01:44, 25 July 2013 (UTC)

GEOS (and possibly Motif)

Geos, in its "motif mode" (and maybe Motif itself) had the Start Button that clings to the title bar of the current active window. Yura87 (talk) 03:33, 16 March 2013 (UTC)

Naming

The article has a picture of the Windows 10 start menu with a caption that says "Windows 10 New Start Menu". Why are the last three letters capitalized? Is it because it is the name of Windows 10's new start menu? I thought that the official or unofficial name of Windows 10's is "Dashboard". --75.71.229.53 (talk) 23:10, 22 January 2018 (UTC)

I adjusted the caption. Ngyikp (talk) 08:11, 26 April 2018 (UTC)

Select control

select control then click programs features an click McAfee security centre an remove all files plz an click to Remove uninstall all files an apps plz

103.233.135.202 (talk) 19:47, 15 June 2023 (UTC)

REMOVE 103.233.135.202 (talk) 19:51, 15 June 2023 (UTC)