Start Bar in XP pro

sioda

After running a stable uncrashing version of 98 for years i took the bullet and clean instaled XP pro and found it not 2 bad but problem is I like the old view of the 98 desktop but cannot change the start bar to the old fashioned one the green blue or silver version is just too in my face ne1 got any idea how to change it i know its doable in XP home reg hacks are no problem if i can make it work ne and all help appreciated

aidan_walsh

Working from memory, so might not be entirely correct...

Right click on the desktop->Properties->Appearance tab. You then have two options on "Windows Classic"-style themes.

If you want to change the actual start menu itself as well, right click on the task bar (for that is what it is called), and the option is in the Properties page there.

RobertFoster

It's Desktop > Properties > Themes (the first tab up) > Theme: Windows Classic (drop down menu).

sioda

Tried these but the classic option will not change the start bar

SouperComputer

f you want to change the actual start menu itself as well, right click on the task bar (for that is what it is called), and the option is in the Properties page there

Bingo!


if you right click the taskbar and select properties, I think there is a start menu tab. In any case, the option to change the start menu back to the old layout is definatly in there somewhere.

retrospect

Back to the Windows Classic Style
http://www.theeldergeek.com/windows_classic.htm
that will do it for you

sioda

Still no joy all these work in XP Home on my laptop but on the pro version on my main PC the classic version doesn't change the taskbar ne other help

SouperComputer

sioda wrote:

Still no joy all these work in XP Home on my laptop but on the pro version on my main PC the classic version doesn't change the taskbar ne other help

its not the theme that needs to be changed. Are you actually clicking on the taskbar and selecting the start menu tab?

Im not trying to be a smartarse, I just cant think of a reason for it not to be there. Was the pro computer part of a domain-controlled network at any stage?

Spunog UIE

http://www.duhduz.com/inst/classic.htm

yeah I had 10mins to kill

aidan_walsh

Gideon wrote:

http://www.duhduz.com/inst/classic.htm

yeah I had 10mins to kill

What'cha downloading, ya big pirate ya

Spunog UIE

eh looooooo, looooohh

eh loooooonix?!

SouperComputer

Gideon wrote:

http://www.duhduz.com/inst/classic.htm

yeah I had 10mins to kill

Funky! What software did you use to produce that?

28064212

Better idea:
Right-click on My Computer
Go to Properties
Open Advanced Tab
Click Settings (under Performance)
Click Adjust For Best Performance
Click OK

SouperComputer

28064212 wrote:

Better idea:
Right-click on My Computer
Go to Properties
Open Advanced Tab
Click Settings (under Performance)
Click Adjust For Best Performance
Click OK

As already discussed, this wont change the format of the start menu. It only reverts the appearance and effects of the GUI to classic.

Spunog UIE

SouperComputer wrote:

Funky! What software did you use to produce that?

http://www.debugmode.com/wink/

sioda

Souper Wasn't a part of domain controlled network. Its a business copy of XP with SP2 one of the non activation versions

SouperComputer

Its a business copy of XP with SP2 one of the non activation versions

Ah, corporate edition. Well if what Gideon posted doesnt work im out of ideas

Spunog UIE

well same version anyhew.

aidan_walsh

SouperComputer wrote:

Ah, corporate edition. Well if what Gideon posted doesnt work im out of ideas

In this case its entirely possible that the classic theme has been locked out by the companies user policy.

sioda

Still no joy stoopid microsoft back to win 3.1 for me or just good ol linux

Capt'n Midnight

sioda wrote:

Still no joy stoopid microsoft back to win 3.1 for me or just good ol linux

first run progman.exe to confirm you still have it

http://www.jsifaq.com/SUBA/tip0400/rh0488.htm
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell

Windows NT 4.0 shell: EXPLORER.EXE
Windows NT 3.51 Shell: PROGMAN.EXE

http://www.svecc.com/windows_xp_hidden_applications.htm

irlrobins

Gideon wrote:

http://www.debugmode.com/wink/

*bookmarks*

Right-click the start button itself and choose Properties. You can change it there.