In Windows 7, Microsoft has change the Start menu button again, now it looks more “Shinny”. But if you are those folks that have been using Windows for decade and would like to keep the classic look in Windows 7, there is a way to re-enable the classic start menu button again in Windows 7 without losing any functions including the text search field since Windows Vista.

You need few freeware to complete the whole tweak:

• CSMenu
• Start Killer
• Executor (optional for the missing search text filed at the bottom of the start menu)

Because of the fact that Microsoft has remove the option for start menu to appear as Classic mode, the CSMenu is designed for Windows 7 to fullfill the missing “Menu”.

The video has a clear instruction on how to install it and run it properly. In summary what you need is to

• download the CSMenu
• install the program
• run the program (first time)
• log off for the program to take effect
• pin the new program onto the task bar

After you’ve done the process you will still see the original start menu button, now this is where you need the Start Killer in order to remove the original Windows 7 button.

Once you’ve done that you will have the classic start menu look again, but this will limit you the most useful function that have been out since Vista, that is the text file quick search. In order to bring back the text field quick lunch, you can install the Executor freeware that will basically does what you expect to do, search any text and it will find the program/file/folder/documents etc. The nice thing is that its actually faster then the windows build in search bar from the start menu button.

You can also train the program to learn new keywords to suit your habit.

The executor also comes with few different skin you can customize it on your own. That’s it hope you enjoy the tip to bring back the classic Windows Start Menu and yet not losing any functions.