Back By Popular Demand: The Start Menu
Microsoft has brought back the Start button and Start Menu with Windows 10 and they have incorporated some of the unique features from its predecessors Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
Here is a closer look:
As you can see if the photo above, the left side of the Start menu contains the following:
- An icon for the current user that can be clicked on to reveal options to lock or sign out of the device
- Shortcuts to frequently used and recently added applications
- File Explorer, the current user’s Documents folder, and the Settings application
- Power button – moved over slightly from where it was in Windows 7
- A shortcut to All Apps that replaces the left side of the Start menu with a scrolling list of installed apps and saved shortcuts (everything that was on its own screen in Windows 8.1)
The right side of the Windows 10 Start menu is home to the live tiles. By default, a bunch of the standard Windows apps like Skype, Calendar, Mail, Microsoft Edge, and Weather are preloaded in the live tile area. However, you are able to remove any and all of these tiles or you can add pretty much anything you want to the live tile area. You also have the ability to turn the live updates/animations on or off.
The Windows 10 Start menu is very customizable. You can change the background color, resize and drag live tiles around and pin your favorite apps. You can even customize Cortana within the Start menu to respond to you once you teach her how you say “Hey Cortana”.
Finally, you can just start typing a word or phrase in the box on the very bottom of the Start menu to search the web and Windows for an app or a file.
Would you like to learn more about Windows 10? Let us know by calling 614-481-6555 or e-mailing info@babsim.com.