Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
Microsoft

The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

By greg shultz February 16, 2011, 10:44 AM PST

Image
1
of 10

slide1.jpg
slide1.jpg
The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

Image: NVIDIA

nt 

n

ntAs you know, the Start menu is the centralized launching point for all applications and tasks in the Windows operating system. However, it wasn’t always called the Start menu.

n

ntIn this little gallery of images, we’ll take a look at the evolution of the Start menu from Windows 95 to Windows 7.

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

Image: NVIDIA
The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

nt 

n

ntIn the early days of development of what would become the Windows 95 operating system, there were three buttons on the lower left part of the screen called System, Find, and Help. The System button had a Windows flag icon and was considered to be the main menu. The icon on the Find button was an eye looking into a magnifying glass, and the icon on the Help button was a question mark along with the letter I for information.

n

ntAs I mentioned, the System menu was the central menu and it contained just 5 commands, of which two survived the next phase of development: Run and Shut Down Windows. Programs had its own icon on the desktop as did File Cabinet.

n

ntHowever, usability tests revealed that the word System wasn’t very intuitive. The ultimate finding of those early tests was that people needed to know where to begin, or start, when they used the new operating system. As such, it was decided that labeling the button Start was the best solution. In subsequent usability tests, it was discovered that people immediately clicked the Start button and began using the menu as it was intended. As such, the menu became known as the Start menu.

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

nt 

n

ntIn its final form, Windows 95’s Start menu retained the Windows flag on the button with the addition of the word Start. And, you can see that Help, Find, and Programs were all put on the menu along with Run and Shut Down commands. Also added were Documents and Settings. 

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

nt 

n

ntSoon after Windows 95’s debut, Windows NT 4.0 made its appearance and it too featured the new Start menu. As you can see it has the same base items, but its name is emblazoned vertically along the side with a colored gradient background.

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

nt 

n

ntWhen Windows 98 hit the streets, its Start menu indicated its tight integration to the Internet via the Windows Update button at the top of the menu and a duplicate of Internet Explorer’s Favorites menu right after the Programs menu. You can see that the Log Off command became a main part of the Start menu.

n

ntThe Quick Launch toolbar also made its appearance in Windows 98 and while not technically part of the Start menu, it did provide a similar function–the launching of applications.

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

nt 

n

ntIn Windows 2000, we saw a shift back to cleaner Start menu. Favorites were gone and the Log off command now appeared in the Shut Down Windows dialog box. (However, you could put the Log off command back on the Start menu, if you wanted.)

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

nt 

n

ntThe Windows Me Start menu basically looked and worked just like the Windows 2000 version.

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

nt 

n

ntWhen Windows XP made its debut, it was immediately apparent that the developers had radically modernized the Start menu. So much so that they provided the option to switch back to the Classic Start menu, so that those who were not ready for a new start menu could go back to something familiar. The Classic Start menu looked and worked like the one from Windows 2000 and previous versions of Windows.

n

ntWindows XP’s Start menu provided a whole new paradigm with a host of features for launching applications, accessing documents, and performing common tasks. On the top left side of the menu, you had the Pinned items list, and below it, the Most frequently used program list. The All Programs button provided a pop out of the familiar Programs menu. On the right side, was a list of items that provided access to common items and made performing common tasks a real snap. Shut down was renamed to Turn Off Computer and along with the Log Off button, had a dedicated spot on bottom of the menu.

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

nt 

n

ntAfter 6 years of Windows XP, the developers of Windows Vista decided to shake up the user interface with Aero and made many changes to the Start menu. The most obvious was the Start button, which changed from a box with the word Start on it to a glassy orb sporting only the Windows flag. The next major new feature was the Start Search box, which served as the main Search interface for the entire operating system.

n

ntThe new Start menu retained the two paneled menu structure with the pinned and most recently used applications appearing in the left panel and the standard items appearing on the right panel. However, you can see that the standard items in the right panel no longer contain individual icons—only text. A single icon appears at the top of the right panel and changes according to the item you point to. For example, when you point to the Control Panel item, the Control Panel icon appears at the top of the right panel, when you point to the Help item, the Help icon appears, and so on. You’ll also note that the ubiquitous “My” lingo was dropped. For example, My Computer is now just Computer. 

n

ntThe shut down button is now just a button that can be configured to sleep or hibernate as well as shut down. There’s also a button for locking the system and all of the shut down options appear on a small menu adjacent to the lock icon.

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

nt 

n

ntThe most recent version of the Start menu, in Windows 7 is almost identical in appearance and functionality to its predecessor’s Start menu. However, you’ll notice that the Shut down button has changed back to words and the lock icon is gone. All shut down options appear on a small menu adjacent to the Shut down button.

n

ntImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

  • Microsoft
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    The Evolution of the Windows Start menu

    Your email has been sent

Share: The Evolution of the Windows Start menu
Image of greg shultz
By greg shultz
My first computer was a Kaypro 16 \"luggable\" running MS-DOS 2.11 which I obtained while studying computer science in 1986. After two years, I discovered that I had a knack for writing documentation and shifted my focus over to technical writing.
  • Account Information

    Contact greg shultz

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of greg's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Diversity and inclusion policy

    The importance of diversity and inclusion in any given organization cannot be overstated. It establishes a level playing field, brings together people with different backgrounds, perspectives, traditions and ideas and enriches company culture by ensuring fairness and tolerance. This helps build a more effective and collaborative workforce which enables the business to run in a ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 5, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 6, 2023, 9:27 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Development lifecycle policy

    Software development is a complex process that involves a specific series of steps (known as the development lifecycle) to transform a concept into a deliverable product. The steps involved with creating the finished product must be carefully adhered to yield the best results, reduce inefficiencies and maximize customer satisfaction. The purpose of this policy from ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 5, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 6, 2023, 9:15 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Checklist: Network and systems security

    Cybersecurity demands and the stakes of failing to properly secure systems and networks are high. While every organization’s specific security needs form a unique and complex blend of interconnected requirements, numerous security fundamentals almost always apply to each of these groups. It stands to reason that cybersecurity pros who effectively identify network and systems risks ...

    Published:  June 1, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 2, 2023, 7:48 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    How to host multiple websites on Linux with Apache

    In this guide from TechRepublic Premium we’re going to explore the various things you can do with a Linux server. We won’t leave out any steps, so you won’t have to refer to another tutorial to complete the process. The only step we will leave out is the installation of Linux, as we’ll assume you ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 31, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 1, 2023, 7:45 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice