The Start menu and Start button form part of the Microsoft Windows operating system's user interface. Users can access different applications and Windows utilities installed on the computer with the aid of the Start menu. The Start button serves as a point of origin for users to access the applications and programs. It also helps users find files, access system files, folders such as "My Documents" and even access browser bookmarks.

The Start menu offers a quick yet cohesive method of application access as all programs, applications, and files are housed in a single interface component. Its ease of use appeals to both experienced and new users. The Start menu and the entire Windows GUI (Graphical User Interface) is presented and managed by the file manager Windows Explorer. The Start Menu folder is stored at the following locations:How to Change the Color of the Start Button

For Windows XP:

  • c:Documents and SettingsusernameStart Menu (username refers to individual user profile or name)
  • c:Documents and SettingsAll UsersStart Menu (for all users)

For Windows Vista:

  • c:UsersusernameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart Menu (username refers to individual user profile or name)
  • c:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart Menu (for all users)

Changing the color of the Start button

Different color schemes can be applied completely to the Start Menu. To change the color scheme of the Start menu in Microsoft Vista, perform the following steps:

  1. Click the Start button and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double click the option Appearance and Personalization.
  3. Double-click the option Personalization.
  4. Click the option Window Color and Appearance.
  5. The Appearance Settings window appears.
  6. From the Color scheme drop-down menu, select a different Color scheme.
  7. After you have selected a color scheme, click Apply and then OK.

The color scheme of the entire Start Menu is now changed.

The above procedure is the limit to which the color of the Start button can be internally changed. One of the most popular methods used to change the color of the Start button, is the usage of the freeware Resource Hacker. It is used to view, modify, rename, add, delete and extract 32 bit Windows executables and resources. To download the Resource Hacker freeware, navigate to this URL.

Before attempting to change the color of the Start button, it is advisable to take a backup copy of the explorer.exe file. To change the color of the Start button with the help of Resource Hacker, perform the following steps:

  1. Double-click the Resource Hacker icon.
  2. Click the File menu, and then click Open.
  3. Navigate to the C:/windows directory, and double-click the "explorer.exe" icon.
  4. A list of explorer folders appears.
  5. Click the plus sign next to the folder Bitmap to expand it.
  6. Click the plus sign next to the folder 143 and then select the Resource 1033. The Windows icon will now be displayed.
  7. From the Action menu, click the option Replace bitmap.
  8. Click the button Open file with new bitmap and select a different image to replace the current bitmap.