<P> The idea of a full - screen Start can be traced back to Windows Neptune, when Microsoft originally considered a "Start page" that integrated with Windows desktop through Active Desktop . This menu has its roots in Windows Mobile and Windows Phone: In Windows Mobile Standard, which runs on smartphones, the Start menu produces a separate screen of icons . Windows Phone was the original host of the design principles of the third generation Start menu . </P> <P> The Start screen no longer supports several previously available features . A list of recently launched program or shortcuts to special folders no longer appears on the Start screen . It no longer supports more than one level of nesting for groups in All Programs view . Drag and drop support for adding new items to the menu as well as reorganizing the contents of All Programs view is no longer available . In addition, for the first time in the history of Windows, the Start menu in a stock installation of Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 does not provide any facility for shutting down, restarting or activating sleep mode or hibernation, forcing users to use the settings button in the charms bar to perform these actions . An April 2014 update for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 restores the latter . </P> <P> Windows 10 re-introduced the Start menu in a revised form . It uses a two column design similar to Windows 7's version, except that the right side is populated by tiles, similarly to Windows 8's Start screen . Applications can be pinned to the right half, and their respective tiles can be resized and grouped into user - specified categories . The left column displays a vertical list, containing frequently - used applications, and links to the "All apps" menu, File Explorer, Settings, and power options . Some of these links, and additional links to folders such as Downloads, Pictures, and Music, can be added through Settings' "Choose which folders appear on Start" page . The Start menu can be resized, or be placed in a full - screen display resembling the Windows 8 / 8.1 Start screen (although scrolling vertically instead of horizontally). The Start menu also enters this state when "Tablet mode" is enabled . </P> <P> As of build 10586, the left panel of the Start menu advertises "suggested" Windows Store apps; users can opt out of these suggestions . </P>

One of the basic tasks you can perform using windows 7 is to launch an application program