Start Menu/Programs fly out menu list.

  • Thread starter Thread starter linceev
  • Start date Start date
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linceev

Hello everyone.
I hope this is the appropriate NewsGroup.

I am using Windows XP/SP2 a newish computer (6 months) and something
has changed from how it used to be.
From the *Start* Button, there is the further button *Programs*. This
then has the fly-out menu which used to open only the most recently
accessed programs. Typically, after a boot it would show the items
which opened in *Start-Up*, the rest were accessible only by hovering
the mouse cursor over a button showing downward pointing arrows (more
chevron like). This would then open the entire sub menu of programs
to choose from. However, in the past week it now opens in that
expanded view all the time. There is no sign of the little arrows
anymore, and I always end up with a screen full of program lists
whenever I go to Start/Programs.
I have tried all kinds of settings reviews and nothing is helping.
The only thing that I think I did prior, was to remove some of the
*non critical* items found by AdAware. Of course I backed them up
first and have since restored them, but to no avail. I wonder if
anyone knows how I might restore the way it was ? Perhaps I should
also mention that I am in *Classic Windows* view, not the XP View. I
am comfortable with entering the Registry if need be. Thank you in
advance for any help you might give, much appreciated.

Lindsey
My email is *oldlin* not younglin.
 
Hi,

Right click the taskbar, choose properties. On the start menu tab, click
customize. Re-check the option to use personalized menus.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Hi,

Right click the taskbar, choose properties. On the start menu tab, click
customize. Re-check the option to use personalized menus.
Click to expand...


Hello Rick,

Thanks for your response. I went to that area, checked it, and it
was already ticked. However I unticked it, OK'd it, came out and went
back in again and reset it, hoping that would wake it up. But alas,
it did not. Thanks for the suggestion, but it is still as it was.

Lindsey

My email is *oldlin* not younglin.
 
try going to that same place, Rt click taskbar>properties>start
menu>customize, and look for 'scroll programs' click on that. Also, you say
you have classic view. Is that what you have selected for your Startup
option ( taskbar>properties) or is that what you have selected as your
'Theme' in Display properties?
I think that the Personalize menus is for the Favorites menu, which does
either show ALL favorites that have been saved , or shows Only the most
recently accessed pages, then has the chevron at the bottom of the menu that
indicates there are more favorites, depending on if it's enabled or not.
 
try going to that same place, Rt click taskbar>properties>start
menu>customize, and look for 'scroll programs' click on that. Also, you say
you have classic view. Is that what you have selected for your Startup
option ( taskbar>properties) or is that what you have selected as your
'Theme' in Display properties?
I think that the Personalize menus is for the Favorites menu, which does
either show ALL favorites that have been saved , or shows Only the most
recently accessed pages, then has the chevron at the bottom of the menu that
indicates there are more favorites, depending on if it's enabled or not.
Click to expand...

Hello lvee,

Classic View refers to my Desktop and windows theme. So it looks more
like Old Windows 95/98. I have had that set since I got the puter so
it is a not a new element. I tried what you said, looking for
scroll. It was already checked, but I unchecked it and re-checked it
like before with Rick's suggestion. The problem remains.

Thanks for your suggestion. I rather thought this was not going to be
an easy fix. For the sake of clarity, I am referring to the listing
of *programs* hanging off the Start Menu. They now all appear
whereas before they did not until I hovered my mouse over the down
chevrons when the menu would open fully.

Thanks everyone. I will be patient if you will <g>

Lindsey

my email is *oldlin* not younglin
 
The Classic Windows theme/desktop does not include the start menu. You can
have the double-row XP version of the start menu even if you choose the
Windows Classic theme. I've done so for years.

Even though you'll be redoing what you've already done, let's try this.
Right click on the start button. Select properties. Select the Start Menu
tab. Make sure you are set to Classic Windows here (radio button). Select
Customize (button). Check/uncheck the Personalized menu item. Make any
other changes you wish here. Note that you need to exit saving changes
between disabling and enabling personalized/classic menus.
 
Hi,

Enable it, keep it that way. Windows will begin to track program usage again
and should restart hiding infrequently used ones in due time.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
The Classic Windows theme/desktop does not include the start menu. You can
have the double-row XP version of the start menu even if you choose the
Windows Classic theme. I've done so for years.

Even though you'll be redoing what you've already done, let's try this.
Right click on the start button. Select properties. Select the Start Menu
tab. Make sure you are set to Classic Windows here (radio button). Select
Customize (button). Check/uncheck the Personalized menu item. Make any
other changes you wish here. Note that you need to exit saving changes
between disabling and enabling personalized/classic menus.
Click to expand...

Hello Kathea,
Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I am not entirely sure of some
of what you were saying but sometimes I even get the day wrong <g>
However, to clarify. I only mentioned the fact I am in Classic View
incase it had a bearing on what I might need to do to restore this
failed element. I know it has no bearing on the fact I used to see
the much reduced list in Start/Programs.

As for the further foray into Properties/settings, etc. I did as you
suggested and ,made sure all was as I expected it to be in there, in
fact the only items NOT ticked in the list are:

Display Favorites
Expand Control Panel
Expand My Documents
Expand My Pictures
Expand Printers
Show Small Icons in Start Menu.

Everything else is as others have said/suggested, and I have undone
each and redone them anyway to try to wake them up, like when the info
balloons vanish under the Task Bar. (Re-tick Keep Task Bar on Top).

It is a mystery, but whilst not that vital to fix, it would be nice to
do so.

Thanks for your time and interest.

Lindsey

My email is *oldlin* not *younglin*
 
Hi,

Enable it, keep it that way. Windows will begin to track program usage again
and should restart hiding infrequently used ones in due time.
Click to expand...


Hi again Rick,

Thanks for that idea. I was kinda hoping it might have done that by
now. It hasn't yet, but we shall see. I have rechecked that
everything is set as it should be and will check each day, so far it
has been listing in *expanded* view for over a week now.

Many thanks for your help

Lindsey

My email is *oldlin* not *younglin*
 
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