Build Information

Stable Release: v1.0.3

---IMPORTANT---
If you have an older version of this start menu where you downloaded it and then renamed a .7_ or .EX_ file, you no longer need that folder or program and can delete it.

I decided to revise the update numbers to so they were more in-line with the progress that has been made, which is why the program is v1 instead of v3.


How to install
1. Install the latest version of Rainmeter 2.5 (standard installation, not the portable one) if you haven't already: [link] I highly recommend you set Rainmeter to launch on startup so you don't have to do it manually.
2. Download the Start Menu.zip and open it
3. Open the Fonts folder and install the included fonts (you may already have them all installed, this simply ensures you do to avoid any issues)
3. Go back to the zip and run the included .rmskin (you need to Standard Installation of Rainmeter for this to work. You may need to extract the .rmskin first before being able to run it)
3. If all goes well you should have a popup about the Start Menu going to be installed. Make sure "Load Included Skins" is checked before installing. From there on out the tutorial should take you through the rest of the process. If you have any further questions feel free to ask below.

Note: Once you install the menu and get it setup to your liking, I highly recommend you right-click on the startup menu, select manage skin, go to settings, and disable dragging. Also consider saving the layout in case something happens to it.

How to change Start Menu Settings
Click the black settings icon in the lower right-hand corner

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---Change Log---
v1.0.3
- Fixed some issues related to changing App info
- Moved the App info to its own file in preparation for adding the ability to import your app info from old versions (every time you update you loose your old settings, this will allow you to import some of them)
- Fixed a typo in the credits section

v1.0.1
- Fixed a bug with the version checker not correctly displaying when there was no new version available.
- Added used fonts in .zip folder.

v1.0.0
- You can now run the skin directly in Rainmeter (standard installation for best results, portable installation may have issues) instead of in a stand-alone program.
- Text buttons have been cosmetically improved
- The program list now has scrolling (using your mouse or the on-screen arrows)
- The settings display has been overhauled to incorporate new features and options
- App icons, names, and their target paths can now be changed directly in the settings display
- You can change the directory and icons of your Home, Downloads, Docs, Music, Pics, and Vids folder directly in the settings display
- In the settings display you can now change the displayed hard drives
- In the settings menu you can now change your pic to a custom one
- The "Icons" section is now know as "Icon Packs" and features some new icon packs
- "Theme" are now known as "Backgrounds" to prepare the way for a real ''Themes" section
- You can now check to see if your version of the skin is the latest in the Version Info popup accessible from the Settings display
- You can now view the Credits list via the popup in the Settings display
and much more!

v0.5.3b:
- Fixed issue with wrong .txt file being included in the package.

v0.5.3:
- Small issue with the version information popup fixed

v0.5.2:
- Issues that arose with v0.5.1 should now be fixed
- From the settings/preview display you can now check your version of Start Menu and Rainmeter
- Two of ~DigitalSpectrum's latest themes have been incorporated into the program.

v0.5.1:
- Various bug fixes
- Consolidated the program and removed un-needed files to reduce the total size as much as possible.
- There is now a tutorial running you through the post-installation setup process.

v0.5:
- Windows 8 Metro inspired start orb style - Access your Start Menu without using your taskbar!
- Windows 7 style start orb - For those of us who prefer the things the way they once were.
- The program now should properly display your Windows profile picture.
- Settings Menu has been overhauled, and now includes a preview
- 5 New Glass-Inspired Themes
- You can now create your own custom colors for the Themes, Left Text, Right Text, Exit Button, and Icons. This excludes the small icons in the lower right-hand corner.

v0.1.2:
- Exit button now is apart of and drags with the start menu, so it doesn't need to be moved manually into its correct place.
- More exit button colors added, which you can now change between in the settings menu.
- You can now switch between large and small start menus by left clicking the start menu, going to variants, and selecting your preferred start menu.
- Start Menu skins moved into the same folder and made more compact.
- An unneeded EXE file causing false positives for some firewalls has been removed.

v0.1.1:
- Small Start Menu Added
- Black, Small Black, and Small White Exit Buttons Added

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Questions & Answers

What is this?
A rainmeter skin that allows Windows 8 users to bring back the start menu and orb.


What does it do?
It creates a start menu (not as fancy as the standard start menus of older Windows versions, at least, not yet)


What do you mean by "Rainmeter Powered"?
I call it that because that is the program used to create and run the start menu.


How do I manually change one of my Apps icon, name, or path?
If you want to change that stuff manually, those variables (like the 7th app name) are in a file called VariablesApps.inc

Its location should be this:
Go to %USERPROFILE% then Documents then Rainmeter then Skins then Start Menu and finially @Resources

The app info and related stuff will be one third of the way down the page.

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System Requirements

Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8. However, you will need Rainmeter 2.5 [link] installed (standard version is recommended but portable may work). Be sure to install the correct version (64-bit or 32-bit) of Rainmeter for your computer.

Yes, this IS in the Window 8 section, but that is b/c it is specifically for Windows 8 users. However, it should also run just as well on those listed previous Windows versions.

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Credits

The credits section has grown too large and is now viewable in the Settings display of the skin.

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Known Issues

• Rainmeter 2.4 and older is not supported. This cannot be resolved due to fundamental changes between Rainmeter 2.5 and older versions


• You may have trouble using the portable installation of Rainmeter.

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Future Plans

• Move the App Info to their own file so people can easily import their old Application data


• Move some of the older update info into a text file


• New start orbs


• More icon packs


• A Themes section


• New backgrounds

and much more!

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Suggestions, questions, thoughts, and feedback are welcome and encouraged.