Do you love Windows 7 but miss the old Start Menu from Windows XP?  If so you’re not alone, in fact the demand is high enough that several 3rd party developers have created software packages that will modify the start menu and give it that old XP groove.  Personally, I love the Windows 7 start menu but here’s a guide for anyone who wants that good ole’ retro-xp feel.

How To Add The Windows XP “All Programs” Menu To The Start Menu Bar In Windows 7

Step 1

Click the Windows Start Menu Orb and Type regedit into the search box.  Then Press Enter or Click the regedit program link.

Step 2

Browse to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

Step 3

Right-Click* the Favorites entry from the right pane.  Select Modify from the context menu that appears.

*You can also just Double-Click the Favorites to achieve the same effect.

Step 4

In the Value data line, paste the following line of text into the box:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Step 5

Now go down to a similar name key as Step 4.  User Shell folders and repeat the process.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

From this key, also Right-Click the Favorites entry and Select Modify.

Step 6

In the Value data line, paste the same following line of text into the box as before:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Step 7

Exit Registry Editor, then Right-Click the Windows Start Menu Orb and Select Properties.

Step 8

The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties box should appear.  On the Start Menu tab Click Customize…

Step 9

Scroll down the customization window and Check the Favorites menu box.  Then Click OK.

Step 10

Quickly restart Explorer (follow the link to the groovy how-to guide on restarting Explorer in Windows 7).  Restarting your entire computer has the same effect.

Done!

Now you should have a groovy new bar on your Start Menu called Programs. This menu will list all of your installed programs and start menu shortcuts just like the old “All Programs” menu did in Windows XP.  Enjoy!

Want to reverse these changes?

All you have to do is go back into the same folders and change the values to:

%userprofile%\Favorites

Presto! All back to normal.