The Start Menu is something used everyday but the options for personalising it are rather limited. The Vista Start Menu is an alternative that puts more information on the screen when you click on the Start button.

Installation is simple and the Vista Start Menu replaces the ordinary Start menu. This can be reversed and an icon placed in the Quick Launch toolbar instead.

There are options for customising the Vista Start Menu and the button for accessing these is clearly visible.

The disadvantage with showing more information on the screen is that the Vista Start Menu can appear a little overwhelming when it appears.

Despite the name, this Start Menu replacement tool can be used on 2000, or XP, as well as Vista. There is a Pro version that can be customised with more options than this free one. It can be purchased from the Vista Start Menu website.

This is the new v3 and contains a few new features, such as the facility to add a dividing line between your apps, within your main menu.