Windows XP in windows 7

homesick1337 · October 25th, 2009

I wanted to know is there a way to configure my menu and task bar to be exactly like windows xp? If so how would I attempt this?

Thank You!!!!!

**ming** · October 25th, 2009

This isn't going to help you (in the short term) so don't hit me with a hammer.

When I first started using Windows 7 I hated the new taskbar. However, after spending some time using it, it actually is much better than that of XP. So, I think you shouldn't look back to making it look and feel like XP. I don't think there is a way to configure the taskbar/start menu to look like XP as it has been re-designed rather than just improved in this new version.

**LordOfLA** · October 25th, 2009

right click the task bar, choose properties, set "taskbar buttons" to combine when taskbar is full", check "use small icons".

Thats the closest you'll get.

**Johnny** · October 25th, 2009

The start menu? There is no way to go back to the classic look. They took it out ...

**ElementalDragon** · October 25th, 2009

There's an application to bring about a start menu similar to that of XP/2k..... but it doesn't REPLACE the original Start menu... it just adds another one to the taskbar. I'd have to agree with ming... you may not like it now, but it'll grow on you.

Why exactly don't you like it? 2k/XP/Vista didn't have Aero Peek which allowed you to see what was in a window just by hovering over it's logo on the task bar. System tray icons are managed a little better, automatically hiding them to minimize the amount of space taken up. The start menu, although rather similar to Vista's, allows programs to also have their own list of recently opened files, such as Photoshop keeping a list of images you opened. It's also quite easy to search for a program or file right in the start menu.

homesick1337 · October 26th, 2009

Originally Posted by ming

This isn't going to help you (in the short term) so don't hit me with a hammer.

When I first started using Windows 7 I hated the new taskbar. However, after spending some time using it, it actually is much better than that of XP. So, I think you shouldn't look back to making it look and feel like XP. I don't think there is a way to configure the taskbar/start menu to look like XP as it has been re-designed rather than just improved in this new version.

My problem is how my little short cuts are now also bars when I click them. If I could seperate the two and just have the short cuts remain there and the bars on a seperate area I wouldn't mind.

How did you get used to this?

homesick1337 · October 26th, 2009

Originally Posted by ElementalDragon

There's an application to bring about a start menu similar to that of XP/2k..... but it doesn't REPLACE the original Start menu... it just adds another one to the taskbar. I'd have to agree with ming... you may not like it now, but it'll grow on you.

Why exactly don't you like it? 2k/XP/Vista didn't have Aero Peek which allowed you to see what was in a window just by hovering over it's logo on the task bar. System tray icons are managed a little better, automatically hiding them to minimize the amount of space taken up. The start menu, although rather similar to Vista's, allows programs to also have their own list of recently opened files, such as Photoshop keeping a list of images you opened. It's also quite easy to search for a program or file right in the start menu.

True I think my problem is more cosmetics. I keep a list of all my short cuts on my taskbar and expand the bar so I have 2 rows instead of 1. So that I have the top row with all my short cuts and the bottom row with my program bars that are active.

Now since the change when I click the short cut it becomes the program and I got short cuts then a program bar then more short cuts then another program bar and it drives me crazy I guess is the problem. It seems so messy.

**LordOfLA** · October 26th, 2009

It's actually quite elegant, you can middle click an already running program to launch another copy

homesick1337 · October 26th, 2009

Originally Posted by LordOfLA

It's actually quite elegant, you can middle click an already running program to launch another copy

Thanks just tested that out... any word on how to group the opened programs together?

Thanks btw for the info and helping me out!

**ming** · October 27th, 2009

Originally Posted by homesick1337

My problem is how my little short cuts are now also bars when I click them. If I could seperate the two and just have the short cuts remain there and the bars on a seperate area I wouldn't mind.

How did you get used to this?

I'm not 100% sure what you mean, but you can still have your shortcuts on the taskbar and have it split into two rows, 1 for your shortcuts and 1 for the task windows.

Better still, if they're shortcuts to folders, then why not right-click and drag to the Windows Explorer icon and Pin it to the Jump List? You can do the same for documents such as Excel and other apps.

**LordOfLA** · October 27th, 2009

Originally Posted by homesick1337

Thanks just tested that out... any word on how to group the opened programs together?

Thanks btw for the info and helping me out!

Not tried, but thumbnail preview should allow you to just click the app you want from a bunch and go.

October 25th, 2009	Top \| #1
homesick1337 Computer Lover Joined: January 2004 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 129 Reputation: 10 Power: 100	Windows XP in windows 7 I wanted to know is there a way to configure my menu and task bar to be exactly like windows xp? If so how would I attempt this? Thank You!!!!! Add me to myspace at.... www.myspace.com/homesick1337 Also if you want to see the best site for street fighter on the web check out www.shoryuken.com

October 25th, 2009	Top \| #2
ming OSNN Advanced Joined: June 2003 Location: UK Posts: 4,252 Reputation: 1160 Power: 159	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 This isn't going to help you (in the short term) so don't hit me with a hammer. When I first started using Windows 7 I hated the new taskbar. However, after spending some time using it, it actually is much better than that of XP. So, I think you shouldn't look back to making it look and feel like XP. I don't think there is a way to configure the taskbar/start menu to look like XP as it has been re-designed rather than just improved in this new version. Curent system: Intel Quad Core 9450 \| 4GB RAM \| WD Raptor 36GB \| nVidia 8800GT 512mb

October 25th, 2009	Top \| #3
LordOfLA Godlike! Joined: February 2004 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK Posts: 7,015 Blog Entries: 5 Reputation: 4137 Power: 209	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 right click the task bar, choose properties, set "taskbar buttons" to combine when taskbar is full", check "use small icons". Thats the closest you'll get. If HK-47 and GLaDOS had a child, the character they create would cause the video game world to overdose on awesome. -sheridanmovieguy: Dragon age forum user.

October 25th, 2009	Top \| #4
Johnny Paul Reed Smith Joined: January 2004 Location: Happy Valley Posts: 4,838 Reputation: 2369 Power: 170	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 The start menu? There is no way to go back to the classic look. They took it out ... Paul Reed Smith.

October 25th, 2009	Top \| #5
ElementalDragon The One and Only Joined: August 2002 Location: Lehighton, PA Posts: 3,160 Blog Entries: 3 Reputation: 1095 Power: 157	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 There's an application to bring about a start menu similar to that of XP/2k..... but it doesn't REPLACE the original Start menu... it just adds another one to the taskbar. I'd have to agree with ming... you may not like it now, but it'll grow on you. Why exactly don't you like it? 2k/XP/Vista didn't have Aero Peek which allowed you to see what was in a window just by hovering over it's logo on the task bar. System tray icons are managed a little better, automatically hiding them to minimize the amount of space taken up. The start menu, although rather similar to Vista's, allows programs to also have their own list of recently opened files, such as Photoshop keeping a list of images you opened. It's also quite easy to search for a program or file right in the start menu. Core 2 Quad Q9450 \| 4GB DDR2 800 \| Abit IP-35 Pro \| eVGA GTX 295+ I Love Windows 7! Has my post been helpful to you? If so, please click the to the left to add to my reputation.

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October 26th, 2009	Top \| #6
homesick1337 Computer Lover Joined: January 2004 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 129 Reputation: 10 Power: 100	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 Originally Posted by ming This isn't going to help you (in the short term) so don't hit me with a hammer. When I first started using Windows 7 I hated the new taskbar. However, after spending some time using it, it actually is much better than that of XP. So, I think you shouldn't look back to making it look and feel like XP. I don't think there is a way to configure the taskbar/start menu to look like XP as it has been re-designed rather than just improved in this new version. My problem is how my little short cuts are now also bars when I click them. If I could seperate the two and just have the short cuts remain there and the bars on a seperate area I wouldn't mind. How did you get used to this? Add me to myspace at.... www.myspace.com/homesick1337 Also if you want to see the best site for street fighter on the web check out www.shoryuken.com

October 26th, 2009	Top \| #7
homesick1337 Computer Lover Joined: January 2004 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 129 Reputation: 10 Power: 100	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 Originally Posted by ElementalDragon There's an application to bring about a start menu similar to that of XP/2k..... but it doesn't REPLACE the original Start menu... it just adds another one to the taskbar. I'd have to agree with ming... you may not like it now, but it'll grow on you. Why exactly don't you like it? 2k/XP/Vista didn't have Aero Peek which allowed you to see what was in a window just by hovering over it's logo on the task bar. System tray icons are managed a little better, automatically hiding them to minimize the amount of space taken up. The start menu, although rather similar to Vista's, allows programs to also have their own list of recently opened files, such as Photoshop keeping a list of images you opened. It's also quite easy to search for a program or file right in the start menu. True I think my problem is more cosmetics. I keep a list of all my short cuts on my taskbar and expand the bar so I have 2 rows instead of 1. So that I have the top row with all my short cuts and the bottom row with my program bars that are active. Now since the change when I click the short cut it becomes the program and I got short cuts then a program bar then more short cuts then another program bar and it drives me crazy I guess is the problem. It seems so messy. Add me to myspace at.... www.myspace.com/homesick1337 Also if you want to see the best site for street fighter on the web check out www.shoryuken.com

October 26th, 2009	Top \| #8
LordOfLA Godlike! Joined: February 2004 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK Posts: 7,015 Blog Entries: 5 Reputation: 4137 Power: 209	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 It's actually quite elegant, you can middle click an already running program to launch another copy If HK-47 and GLaDOS had a child, the character they create would cause the video game world to overdose on awesome. -sheridanmovieguy: Dragon age forum user.

October 26th, 2009	Top \| #9
homesick1337 Computer Lover Joined: January 2004 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 129 Reputation: 10 Power: 100	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 Originally Posted by LordOfLA It's actually quite elegant, you can middle click an already running program to launch another copy Thanks just tested that out... any word on how to group the opened programs together? Thanks btw for the info and helping me out! Add me to myspace at.... www.myspace.com/homesick1337 Also if you want to see the best site for street fighter on the web check out www.shoryuken.com

October 27th, 2009	Top \| #10
ming OSNN Advanced Joined: June 2003 Location: UK Posts: 4,252 Reputation: 1160 Power: 159	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 Originally Posted by homesick1337 My problem is how my little short cuts are now also bars when I click them. If I could seperate the two and just have the short cuts remain there and the bars on a seperate area I wouldn't mind. How did you get used to this? I'm not 100% sure what you mean, but you can still have your shortcuts on the taskbar and have it split into two rows, 1 for your shortcuts and 1 for the task windows. Better still, if they're shortcuts to folders, then why not right-click and drag to the Windows Explorer icon and Pin it to the Jump List? You can do the same for documents such as Excel and other apps. Attached Thumbnails Curent system: Intel Quad Core 9450 \| 4GB RAM \| WD Raptor 36GB \| nVidia 8800GT 512mb

October 27th, 2009	Top \| #11
LordOfLA Godlike! Joined: February 2004 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK Posts: 7,015 Blog Entries: 5 Reputation: 4137 Power: 209	Re: Windows XP in windows 7 Originally Posted by homesick1337 Thanks just tested that out... any word on how to group the opened programs together? Thanks btw for the info and helping me out! Not tried, but thumbnail preview should allow you to just click the app you want from a bunch and go. If HK-47 and GLaDOS had a child, the character they create would cause the video game world to overdose on awesome. -sheridanmovieguy: Dragon age forum user.

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