I have Windows XP Professional. I want to be able to change defalt images that the OS uses, like the Start Menu. Where is this image file located? I dont want to have to download any sort of third party software to edit it, I just want to find the file, and change it with an editing software. I just need the location of these files, does anybody know where they are located? http://brainfarm.ath.cx

Have a look HERE. Some people are like Slinkies™, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...

There is an easier way, 1) Right Click on the Taskbar 2) Left Click on Properties 3) Click on Start Menu Tab 4) Select (Classis Start Menu) 5) Click Apply, Click OK Or 1) Go to Control Panel 2) Go to Taskbar and Start Menu Icon 3) Follow above Steps 3-5 good Luck

G'day Brain, A resource editor is virtually the best way to go to make your system a little bit more creative and individual. I have been using them for 5 years now and have never stuffed anything up. I refuse to use 'tweaking' or 'themes' software. Most system file-types such as .exe,.dll,.cpl,.ocx etc....contain resources. Resources are : icons, bitmaps, dialog boxes, menu lists, .html pages, .gif and .jpg files, .avi files, cursors, strings [text for dialog boxes], .wav files, Registry info etc.. etc... and most can be modified. Modified meaning : changing altogether like replacing, resizing, repositioning, rewording and removing from the file that contains them. Not all system files have resources but most do but not all have the same types. Explorer.exe, Shell32.dll and Browselc.dll are the most common for your Explorer interface resources. Stand alone programs such as Regedit.exe can be easily modified. Best Resource Editors : Exescope, Res Hacker and Restuner in conjunction with PE Explorer. Hex Editing should only be done for the things a Resource Editor cannot see such as created files/folders upon a reboot like Iconcache.db [ShellIconCache] and Index.dat and cookie:@.txt, TIF, History, and Cookies folders etc.... -------------- p.s. That site that Hooner mentions is wrong about 95 and 98 limited to 5 letters for the start menu, I have had up to 20 using Exescope long before XP was a twinkle in Bill Gates' eye. Res Editors have been around as long as 95 but that site suggests [to me] that you could only use a Hex Editor for 95/98 to change things...bollocks !

Thanks guyes, but I still dont think you understand what I mean. I dont JUST want to change the TEXT, I want to change the image and all. Make it like a logo of my favorate game or something. How would I go about doing THAT? http://brainfarm.ath.cx

The Start Menu 'icon' is in Explorer.exe and is a bitmap image [Bitmap resource # 176], not an icon, so a Resource Editor will allow you to import a new image. The other Start Menu icons above it are icons and are kept in Shell32.dll and are changable also. Must be same size and colour format. If you think it has a normal .bmp or .gif file in a folder somewhere then you are wrong, it's inside Explorer.exe. I believe there could also be a Registry tweak for this but that can be easily lost. I did know what you meant from the start which is why I suggested resource editors and as far as I know is the only way you can change things directly in the file that contains them, they are, in effect, the editing software that you need. There are programs that can change both the start menu icon and text, such as T-Clock, but it may have to be running all the time and I gather that is not what you want. The programs I mentioned are all small and are stand alone programs that do not need VB runtime files to work nor do they have to be running at all after changes are made. The changes are permanent as long as the modified file is saved for further use such as setting Windows up again. Res Hacker is freeware but the others are not. Microangelo has a very good icon/icon library editor to change those guys. Hope this info was helpful

THANK YOU. I saw your other message, and, with Res Hacker, I was exploring, chagning other bitmaps and icons that I thought were the start menu picture, but with no luck. I looked into all 3 files you mentioned: Explorer.exe, Shell32.dll and Browselc.dll. So, I went ahead and looked at all the bitmaps! It took hours! Still, I even had NO LUCK! THANKS SO MUCH for providing the correct bitmap, I have yet to try it because I am not at my computer, but when I do, I hope it works... THANKS AGAIN. http://brainfarm.ath.cx