Classic Shell: Forum

I have been setting up a Dell Latitude E6500 Windows7sp1 32-bit laptop, and also a Dell Precision M4700 Windows7sp1 64-bit laptop. On the E6500, the Classic Start Menu's first column items can successfully be selected by using the keyboard to select a numbered item or a not-numbered item's first letter.
On the Dell M4700, attempts to use the keyboard to select a numbered or not-numbered item fail, because the key instead goes into the search field at the bottom of the menu.

Apparently I have overlooked a setting on the M4700. I would appreciate knowing how to prevent, on the M4700, the search field from kidnapping a number or letter meant to select a menu item.

Roger Folsom

go to Settings & find the "Window Start menu" tab

where it reads "Initially focus on", select "All Programs" instead of "Search Box"

Open Classic Start Menu settings, go to Search box tab, uncheck "Selected by default".

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Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and did Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

To Tenzen and GauravK:

Thank you for your solutions to my problem. I have adopted both of them, and for future use I saved the following notes:

At Search Box Tab, Show Search Box:
Select "Access Normally"
UNCheck "Selected by Default"

At Window Start Menu Tab,
Select "Cascading All Programs Menu"
At "Initially Focus On"
Select "All Programs"

I don't know if I really needed to follow both recommendations, but being a "belt and suspenders" person, I followed both recommendations.

Thanks again.

Roger Folsom

The solution by Tenzen affects the Windows Start Menu. My solution affects the Classic Start Menu.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and did Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

GauravK:

Thanks for that clarification. Apparently my "belt and suspenders" approach had benefits, although I didn't realize what they were.

Roger Folsom