Apparently, Microsoft has eliminated support for the "Classic Start Menu" in Windows 7. The "Classic Start Menu" available in both Windows XP and Windows Vista permits one to use a Start Menu similar to that of Windows 2000. It isn't a matter of the "new" Start Menu being better or worse, but rather, personal preference. Some of us simply like the simple hierarchy of that "old style" Start Menu
It's true that Microsoft has eliminated the option to select the classic start menu, but you can still get a similar hierarchical menu on the Start menu, by following these steps:
1. Right click the task bar and select Properties
2. Click the Start Menu tab
3. Click the Customize button
4. Navigate to Documents and select "Display as a menu"
5. Click OK to close each dialog box
6. Right click Documents in the Start menu and select Properties
7. Click the Include a Folder button
8. In the left pane, navigate to ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu and select the Programs folder
9. Click the Include Folder button
It's true that Microsoft has eliminated the option to select the classic start menu, but you can still get a similar hierarchical menu on the Start menu, by following these steps:
1. Right click the task bar and select Properties
2. Click the Start Menu tab
3. Click the Customize button
4. Navigate to Documents and select "Display as a menu"
5. Click OK to close each dialog box
6. Right click Documents in the Start menu and select Properties
7. Click the Include a Folder button
8. In the left pane, navigate to ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu and select the Programs folder
9. Click the Include Folder button
