Tweak Vista #1 - Bring Back Start / RUN

The Start menu layout for Vista has changed tremendously. For instance it doesn't even say Start anymore unless you hover over it. One of the biggest improvements to the menu is the search bar at the bottom of the menu, which searches through your programs, document files, emails and anything else for which a search provider is registered. Want to run Word without having to browse around the "All Programs" menu? Just type "Word" in the searchbar. Can't remember which of the dialog boxes and settings you have to go through to find the Device Manager? Just type "device" in the search bar.

You can run things like this through the search box, but for many programs it's a little quicker and simpler to use run. So lets bring it back. The quick way to get it is to use the Win+R shortcut key combination at any time, but for those who don't like keyboard shortcuts we can add it back to the Start menu.

To restore it permanently to your Start menu, here's what you do:

• Open your Start menu, then right-click and choose Properties;
• Select the Start Menu tab and click on Customize...;
• Scroll down and ensure the "Run command" option is checked;
• Click OK, then Apply, then OK again. Your done.

Now the Start / Run command will be restored. Of course, you can swap in and out a bunch of other choices I added Administrative Tools. If you want to pin shortcuts to the left side in the white area of the Start menu, all you need to do is right click the shortcut, or program and select Pin to Start Menu.

My Start Menu: