The Start Button

Hwo would i change the text of the start button? Once i had a program that changed it for y ou, the graphic too, but i had to reformat =(. So is it stored in the registry or is it someplace else, and how can i change it from my prorgam?

The caption of the start button is stored inside explorer.exe, and you need a hex editor to change this.
BUT be very careful!! Make a backup of explorer.exe before doing this!
I don't quite know how you can do it from your program....it's now that easy I'm affraid....

Hope this helps! :)

BTW I think you can change it by using SiSoft Sandra....

I haven't played with it but I've seen an app or two that suggest changing the BMP of the start button implying that it is not text but an image. Like I said...I haven't ventured to try one so I don't really know. If you want to find an app or two, go to my site, links, vbCode and do a searc on Start Button

The best way to do this is to edit explorer.exe.. from your program.. it should be difficult.. but from edit it could be done..

first make a backup of explorer.exe
Goto the command prompt and type edit %60 C:\windows\explorer.exe

Now you see the normal garble on your screen.. scroll down till the 1600 th line or so.. i don't remember exactly.. u will find the string S T A R T.. u may edit that.. but the only problem with that is the new name should contain the exact number of letters as START.. i.e 5.. go around exploring the whole file.. you will be able to change a lot of text that is shown.. its real fun..!!

Im sure there must be a way to do this in VB!:confused:

Hi,

There is some sample code to do with this in the APIGuide. It's under 'CreateWindowEx' and the sample is 'New Start Button'. I don't think it deals with the functionality though, just the graphics.

Hope this helps.

And where might one find the API Guide?

the only way to change the text is by editing explorer.exe

yeah, it can be done in vb.. just open the file as binary and edit it..

there might be a universal identifier for the where the string is.. look for that, cuz otherwise you'll have to figure out the location manually for every version of explorer.exe there is :)

also, as stated getting the string to something other than 5 characters is another matter..

also its not as easy as just saving over explorer.exe, you have to make the switch while not in windows, which calls for some sort of boot script

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Originally posted by Madboy
And where might one find the API Guide?

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API-Guide