The Start Menu : Recently Used programs : xp | Vista/7
By default, Windows displays the most recently-used programs and files in the Start Menu. If this works for you, disregard this procedure. I find it to be annoying, since the shortcuts change, and I would prefer to keep menus from changing.
Again, this is entirely optional, and depends on your comfort level with the Start Menu. I'm just passing along my personal opinions.
XP
1. To get started, right-click the bar next to the Username, and select Properties
2. Click Customize.
3. Where the dialog box says "Number of Programs in Start Menu", click the down arrow to whatever number you want. (I choose "0" ), then Clear List. This will prevent recently used programs from showing up in the left column of your Start Menu.
4. Then click the Advanced tab.
5. Uncheck these items:
Open Submenus when I pause on them (Causes partial menus to show, and they will fully open momentarily after you place the mouse pointer on them. I don't like this because it slows things down)
Highlight Newly Installed Programs (I really don't care whether they're recently installed or not. If you have trouble finding a shortcut to open a program after you install it, leave this option checked.)
List my most recently opened Documents (Again, I can go back and find documents that I've worked on in the past. In my opinion, this just clutters things up on the menus.)
Vista / 7
1. To get started, right-click in the area next to the picture, and select Properties.
2. Make sure the Start Menu tab is selected, and uncheck both options under Privacy.
3. If you wish to have recently opened programs displayed, but you want to change the number that are displayed, click Customize, and change the number in the box shown below.
