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Guide to Using Start Everywhere - Sneakyone - 09-10-2024
Guide to Using Start Everywhere
**Start Everywhere** is a lightweight and customizable start menu application that brings back the classic Start menu functionality and offers enhanced access to apps, settings, and folders from anywhere on your screen. With Start Everywhere, you can invoke the Start menu at any point on your desktop, making it a versatile tool for improving productivity. This guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and using Start Everywhere to customize your Windows start menu experience.
Step 1: Download Start Everywhere
To begin, you need to download the latest version of Start Everywhere from the official website or a trusted source.
Steps to Download Start Everywhere:
1. Open your web browser and visit the official Start Everywhere website: Sordum - Start Everywhere.
2. Click the `Download` button to download the latest version of Start Everywhere.
3. Once the download is complete, navigate to your `Downloads` folder and locate the zip file.
Step 2: Extract and Run Start Everywhere
Start Everywhere is a portable application, meaning no installation is required. You simply extract the files and run the program.
Steps to Extract and Run Start Everywhere:
1. Right-click on the downloaded zip file and select `Extract All...`.
2. Choose a destination folder to extract the files and click `Extract`.
3. Open the extracted folder to access the Start Everywhere executable file.
4. Double-click on `StartEverywhere.exe` to launch the program.
Step 3: Customize Start Everywhere Menu Appearance
Start Everywhere allows you to customize the look and feel of the Start menu to match your preferences, including the menu style, layout, and positioning.
Steps to Customize the Start Menu Appearance:
1. Right-click anywhere on the Start Everywhere menu and select `Settings`.
2. In the settings window, navigate to the `Appearance` tab.
3. Choose from a variety of Start menu styles, including `Classic`, `Modern`, or `Tile View`.
4. Adjust the menu size, icon size, and background color by using the sliders and color picker in the settings window.
5. Click `Apply` to save your changes.
Step 4: Access the Start Menu from Anywhere on the Screen
The primary feature of Start Everywhere is the ability to invoke the Start menu from any point on your desktop, making it easily accessible without needing to navigate to the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Steps to Access the Start Menu from Anywhere:
1. By default, Start Everywhere can be accessed by moving your mouse cursor to any edge of the screen or by pressing a hotkey (e.g., `Windows + Z`).
2. Simply move your mouse to the edge of the screen, and the Start menu will pop up.
3. Alternatively, you can invoke the Start menu by pressing the assigned hotkey on your keyboard.
Step 5: Add Custom Shortcuts to the Start Menu
Start Everywhere allows you to add custom shortcuts for frequently used applications, folders, or files directly to the Start menu.
Steps to Add Custom Shortcuts:
1. Open the Start menu using the method described in Step 4.
2. Right-click on an empty area of the Start menu and select `Add New Item`.
3. In the dialog box that appears, browse for the application, folder, or file you want to add as a shortcut.
4. Click `OK` to add the selected item to the Start menu.
5. The new shortcut will now be accessible from the Start Everywhere menu.
Step 6: Manage and Remove Start Menu Items
You can manage and remove items from the Start Everywhere menu to keep it organized and clutter-free.
Steps to Manage and Remove Items:
1. Right-click on any item in the Start menu to bring up the context menu.
2. Select `Remove` to delete the shortcut from the Start menu.
3. To rearrange items, click and drag the items within the menu to your preferred position.
4. Click `Apply` to save the changes.
Step 7: Configure Hotkeys for Start Everywhere
Start Everywhere allows you to assign custom hotkeys to invoke the Start menu, making it easier to access without relying on mouse gestures.
Steps to Configure Hotkeys:
1. Open the Start Everywhere settings by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting `Settings`.
2. Navigate to the `Hotkeys` tab.
3. Here, you can assign a hotkey combination (e.g., `Ctrl + Alt + S`) to bring up the Start menu.
4. Click `Apply` to save the new hotkey configuration.
Step 8: Enable or Disable Auto-Start with Windows
Start Everywhere can be set to automatically run when you start your computer, ensuring the Start menu is always accessible.
Steps to Enable or Disable Auto-Start:
1. Open the Start Everywhere settings by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting `Settings`.
2. In the settings window, go to the `General` tab.
3. Check or uncheck the `Run at Windows Startup` option based on your preference.
4. Click `Apply` to save the changes.
Step 9: Exit Start Everywhere
Once you've customized and set up Start Everywhere, you can exit the application, or it will continue running in the background, accessible via its hotkey or screen edge activation.
Steps to Exit Start Everywhere:
1. Right-click on the Start Everywhere icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen).
2. Select `Exit` to close the program completely.
3. If you've enabled auto-start, Start Everywhere will launch the next time you start your computer.
Conclusion
Start Everywhere is a versatile and customizable Start menu tool that enhances your Windows experience by providing quick access to your applications, files, and settings from anywhere on your screen. By following this guide, you can easily configure Start Everywhere to suit your workflow, enabling you to work more efficiently by accessing your favorite apps and tools without navigating through traditional Start menus.