Force users to use the new XP Start menu?

[Kristi2k]

Hi, I am looking for a reg hack that will disable the user from switching to the Classic Start Menu in XP. I only want them to use the new start menu. I have searched a bunch of different sites to no avail. GPedit doesn't seem to have an option for this either...

Any ideas?

 

[Sunner]

I don't have an answer to that, but I can't help but wonder why you'd wanna do that?

 

[Kristi2k]

It's for are mandatory desktops for certain pc's in our deptartment. I know there's a hack for this... We don't mind if they customize the new start menu, but we don't want them switching to classic.

 

[JustStarting]

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
It's for are mandatory desktops for certain pc's in our deptartment. I know there's a hack for this... We don't mind if they customize the new start menu, but we don't want them switching to classic.

What does this accomplish? Many users like myself, are more effecient working with a familiar looking menu. What's the harm in that?

I don't understand I guess. Our manager at work made us all use the same chairs to look more uniform. Cheap imitation "Pleather" from Staples. Kinda a joke around here. We all put colored racing tape on the chairs to individualize them.

 

[Kristi2k]

Let's forget about why, and work on fixing what we need.

The new menu is much more effieciant for what we're doing.

 

[Gravity]

Sounds like something the manager on a Dilbert cartoon strip would say!

 

[Thegonagle]

Dude, quit being a pointy-haired micro-manager and don't worry about how efficiently someone uses the start menu beyond recommending the new start menu and the reason why you feel that the new start menu is more efficient. Beyond that, fascist little crap like that tends to drive workers up the wall, and leads them to doing things like customizing their office chairs.

What is the reason anyway? The only reason I can think of is that the most recently used programs are right there on the top level. But why worry if they need to go one level down? Who cares if that?s what they want to do?

Now hurry up and move along. I think I hear someone nailing up an unapproved decoration inside their cubicle wall.

(Sorry if it looks like I?ve made an assumption or two here. I have, and I could have the wrong idea.)

 

[Falloutboy]

you sir are the devil

 

[JustStarting]

Originally posted by: Gravity
Sounds like something the manager on a Dilbert cartoon strip would say!

 

[AFB]

You could lock down the computer to prevent any settings form being accessed. Why, this is stupid.

 

[Kristi2k]

Wow, sorry I came here. Anand use to be a helpful place.

And just to note, this is not for a normal office setting, this is for a clinical nursing environment, where certain things need to be branded and pinned correctly.

 

[AFB]

You could look in to things that are designed to lockdown computers and then set them up the way you want.

 

[sv650dave]

I agree with the original poster.

why be critical of what he wants to do? Is it that fun?

Ive posted to this forum for a couple of years, unfotunatley I see this too often. Many posters quick to bash which unfotunately unjustly colors the fact that there are truely helpful people here.

Do you lose focus that quick at work? Sorry to seem so negative but dang, He asked a simple question. Who cares why!

I can think of several legitmate reasons for that tight of control, none of which fit the classical definition of micro management.

I know some of you were simply poking fun at him (ok maybe most) because it was such an easy shot.

So Ill take my shot, all in fun...

If you empithize with the character lamenting... "Signs Signs, Everywhere there's signs, Blocking up the scenery, Breaking my mind, Do this, don't do that, Can't you read the sign" Then you probably NEED to be micro managed

Come on, some one step up and just tell him how to do it! Id try but I dont think he wants his machines to blow up!

 

[EeyoreX]

Ive posted to this forum for a couple of years, unfotunatley I see this too often.

So then you travelled through time and that's how you joined in January of this year but still managed to have posted here for a couple years? Time travellers really should be more carefull about getting their tenses correct. Lest they arouse suspicion.

In any event, asking why someone wants something done shouldn't be an issue. If you don't want people asking why, you shouldn't post a question. If you can't handle that humans are, by nature, curious then you probably shouldn't ask things that will arouse curiosity. This question made me curious as to why this was wanted, and frankly, if he just eliminated the curiosity instead of trying to be mysterious or evasive, people would have moved past trying to find out why and probably tried to help. Additionally, if you don't want people expressing their uninformed opinions it is also best to be upfront when they ask "Why?" Posting things like "Let's forget about why, and work on fixing what we need." just opens the door for people to make assumptions, valid or not. In fact, someone beat me too the pointy-haired boss refrence that I would have made. Just because it was so easy and the OP refused to let everyone know why he wanted what he wanted.

\Dan

 

[pdn]

Is this what your looking for?
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/154/

 

[blizz]

Is this what your looking for? http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/154/

I think this a little to restrictive for what they want...as they state, they don't mind if they alter the preferences on this start menu. As for why they want to do it, I don't really care, but I do find it interesting, after briefly looking for an answer, that you can easily force users, through GP, to only have the option for the classic menu but not the option for forcing just the XP option.

Sorry I can't help but good luck finding the answer.

 

[davework]

EeyoreX

Hmm, did you consider every possibility that could demonstrate that Im not lying before you jumped to the wrong conclusion?? hmm maybe I havent always posted under davework, davehome, cbrdave, sv650dave etc etc. Dont change names because I try to hide, just not good at keeping track of passwords or old email addresses.

Ive been surfing Anandtech since not long after it first came onto the scene. It has always been my go to source for hardware and other interesting stuff.

I dont care if people ask "why". I care that they do it in such a negative manner. They arent curious, they are NEGATIVE.

"Sounds like something the manager on a Dilbert cartoon strip would say! " No it doesnt, and if you arent in his shoes you have no idea why he wants to do it. If you cant think of a legitimate reason then you arent a real manager or you have never experienced managing a bunch of idiots that have no idea how thier "right to individuality" negatively effects the work place.

I did not find him to be mysterious or evasive. Are you paranoid? He refused to?? Not in my view, He simply wanted to avoid the direction everyone was going....

"You are obvoisly taking away freedoms your hard working employees deserve, go back to your micromanaging and dont bother us with such inane requests" Thats how I saw the replies.

That is EXACTY what calling him dilberts boss implies.

I enjoy a little bit of ribbing. I also understand that there is no automatic magic feature that makes people perfect on the forum (heaven forbid). I also dont want to take the "spice" out of the forum. Some of the people at first bash the heck out of the OP eventually spit up the perfect solution. But its getting WORSE. Sad but true.

Like everyone else Ill keep posting and try to ignore it when we get a little too overboard.

By they way, just because I dont go out of the way to make sure that number under my name isnt as big as possible doesnt mean I havent been here. Just because I post rarely (for the above reasons) doesnt mean I dont lurk.

You didnt consider all the options, neither did the people who bashed this guy. I bet they enjoyed bashing much more than they enjoy helping. Jerry Springerism in the flesh.

 

[Idoxash]

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
It's for are mandatory desktops for certain pc's in our deptartment. I know there's a hack for this... We don't mind if they customize the new start menu, but we don't want them switching to classic.

They get paid to work for the company they should follow rules or be delt with. Tell them to use wut they are to use or surfer some issues. Cut their pay, fire them, give them days off without pay, ect ...

LOL, dun get me wrong I'm not a harsh guy and I think if the classic menu bar is ok then let them use it but I'm just tired of ppl that get's paid to do something are some igorant and hard head they do as they wish cose they can care less about wut follows. Plenty of ppl needs jobs dude get the ones that does wut they are to do.

--Idoxash

 

[Idoxash]

Originally posted by: sv650dave
I agree with the original poster.

why be critical of what he wants to do? Is it that fun?

Ive posted to this forum for a couple of years, unfotunatley I see this too often. Many posters quick to bash which unfotunately unjustly colors the fact that there are truely helpful people here.

Do you lose focus that quick at work? Sorry to seem so negative but dang, He asked a simple question. Who cares why!

I can think of several legitmate reasons for that tight of control, none of which fit the classical definition of micro management.

I know some of you were simply poking fun at him (ok maybe most) because it was such an easy shot.

So Ill take my shot, all in fun...

If you empithize with the character lamenting... "Signs Signs, Everywhere there's signs, Blocking up the scenery, Breaking my mind, Do this, don't do that, Can't you read the sign" Then you probably NEED to be micro managed

Come on, some one step up and just tell him how to do it! Id try but I dont think he wants his machines to blow up!

Yah, way back in the days these forums were dang kewl with kewl ppl and a lot of help but now if anyone comes on these forums and post something they are bash very fastly. It's due to a lot of reasons such as searching (Heck some of the things that ppl bash them for dealing with searching I went ahead and search for their issues here and did not find it my self) but wut it comes down to is the fact most Anandtechers here have their ways that kinda share with most other ppl here so when a newbie ask a ? his ways are totaly throw into the dirt. It's sad to be honest but that's why I rary come around here anymore and most of the time find more help from dealing with the company it self or their own forums!

This place is becoming much like slashdot.

--Idoxash

 

[Kristi2k]

Originally posted by: blizz

Is this what your looking for? http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/154/

I think this a little to restrictive for what they want...as they state, they don't mind if they alter the preferences on this start menu. As for why they want to do it, I don't really care, but I do find it interesting, after briefly looking for an answer, that you can easily force users, through GP, to only have the option for the classic menu but not the option for forcing just the XP option.

Sorry I can't help but good luck finding the answer.

Sorry, I might of gotten a little upset due to the lack of answers and more of judging.. We need this tweaks for certain departments in our Hospital. Sometimes we need to lock things down...

Thank you blizz, we tried this, but it was too restricted for the user. I appreciate the help though.

 

[mk]

If you're willing to modify Windows' system files (in this case the explorer.exe) you can remove the option to select the Classic Start Menu from the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties screen. You'll "only" need to remove a couple of lines from the corresponding dialog script and replace the old explorer.exe with the new modded one (the tricky part).

The whole process should only take a few of minutes (if one knows what to do) but considering potential problems I wouldn't recommend it to be used in any critical environment.

 

[uncleX]

Here is what I think: No one here knows about this because no here can think of a possible use for it. You are unique. That's the reason for the type of response you are getting, only a couple of which are actually hostile. If there were something actually functional about your request, maybe people could think of a way to accomplish it.

>.... I know there's a hack for this.
It looks like you are the only one here that knows about this. Can you recall anything about where you would have encountered this info?

I can only guess that the way MS accomplishes the menu change uses some kind of style file, and if you could delete that, or redirect it in the registry, the classic menu would not be available.

BTW, as someone who has lurked at Anandtech a lot recently, I see that EeyoreX is one of the regulars most likely to help out people with difficult or even silly requests, without judgement, and no wonder he is defensive about the negative characterization of the forum. Sure, there are pranksters, and abrasive personalities, but you haven't seen it yet. Take it from me: your request seems wildly nutty, and no wonder people are taking shots at it.

>..certain things need to be branded and pinned correctly.
So you need a brand to appear on the menu, and the Classic won't do it? What does pinned mean?

 

[Sunner]

Maybe a better idea would be to say what you need(as in the end result, not the way), and someone might have a good solution.

Whenever you want something, chances are someone else has already done that before, maybe they've just done it in some other manner.

 

[Idoxash]

Or you can simply tell them to follow rules or be fired. Wut is wrong with useing that kind of power? I dun understand it my self if these ppl can't do wut they are told then they are no use of the company you work for. I must say wut you are asking is really odd and I never herd of anything that can help you so maybe you need to talk with the BOSS and have something more boldly dun about it.

--Idoxash

 

[pdn]

I think that I may have found something but I want to test it at home before I post it. It'll be sometime in the morning before I can test it though, so just bear with me. I'm not at home at the moment.