How to change name of START Menu


Ever wondered how would it be if the start menu of Windows Xp has your name instead of START. There is a small registery hack to make this tweak.

To change name of START menu :

  1. Copy EXPLORER.EXE in your Windows directory ( The direectory is found in the drive where you have installed youe XP ) to another directory
    Start a hex editor (use resource hacker)
  2. Edit EXPLORER.EXE
    go to “string table” & to “37” click on 1033
    you will see “start” written on the next table
    Now just replace the Start letters with any of your choice (up to 5 characters only IMPORTANT).
  3. Compile the script & save it.
  4. Rename this file as any name say explorer1.exe
    copy it in your windows directory.

Open registry editor navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon double click “shell” &
enter name of your new explorer(explorer1 )in this case.
restart to see changes.

P.S: Remember to make up a back up copy of your registery before making this hack as there is a chance of crashing of your system.

If the crash occurs you can recover your system. To do this

  • Open the TASK-MANAGER and in new task enter “regedit”
  • In the resultant window undo the changes which we have made before ( i.e., renaming explorer1 to explorer again)

So Go ahead and surprise all your friends with your name as the start menu button. Happy hacking..!!


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Filed under: Windows XP

December 4, 2007 by: Prasanth Chandra

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