Customize Windows XP Startup Button: Icons & Text

Here is an opening paragraph for an article on customizing the Windows XP Startup Button:

The Windows XP operating system, initially developed by Microsoft, features a graphical user interface element known as the windows xp startup button. This button, located on the taskbar, allows users to access the Start Menu, providing a gateway to programs and system settings. Customization tools, readily available online, offer methods to modify the visual appearance of this windows xp startup button, including changes to the icon and text. These modifications can be achieved through the use of resource editors, allowing users to personalize their desktop experience beyond the default settings.

Mastering the Windows XP Startup Button: Customization Guide

Customizing the Windows XP startup button was a popular way to personalize the user experience. While Windows XP is an older operating system, understanding these modifications can be a fun exercise in system-level tweaking. This article will explore how to change both the icon and the text of the Windows XP startup button.

First, it’s crucial to understand the underlying files involved. The startup button appearance is largely controlled by system files that should be manipulated with caution. Incorrectly modifying these files can lead to system instability. Backing up your system before making any changes is strongly recommended.

The process involves resource hacking, which means modifying the resources embedded within executable files. We’ll primarily be focusing on modifying the Explorer.exe file, which is responsible for the Windows shell, including the taskbar and Start Menu.

Changing the Startup Button Icon

Modifying the icon requires a resource editor tool. Several free and paid options exist, such as Resource Hacker. This tool allows you to open executable files and edit their embedded resources, including icons.

Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Download and Install Resource Hacker: Search online for Resource Hacker and download it from a reputable source. Install the software.
2. Locate Explorer.exe: This file is typically located in the C:\Windows directory.
3. Create a Backup: Before opening Explorer.exe in Resource Hacker, create a backup copy of the file (e.g., Explorer.exe.bak). This allows you to revert to the original file if something goes wrong.
4. Open Explorer.exe in Resource Hacker: Launch Resource Hacker and open Explorer.exe.
5. Navigate to the Icon Resource: In Resource Hacker’s left pane, expand the "Icon" folder. You’ll see a numbered list of icon groups. The startup button icon is often located within one of these groups, but the specific number can vary depending on your Windows XP version. You may need to browse through a few to find the correct one. Look for an icon that resembles the Windows flag.
6. Replace the Icon: Right-click on the icon you want to replace and select "Replace Icon…".
7. Select Your New Icon: In the "Replace Icon" dialog, click "Open file with new icon…" and browse to the location of the .ico file you want to use. Select the file and click "Open".
8. Replace! Click on "Replace" button.
9. Compile Script: In Resource Hacker, go to the "Action" menu and select "Compile Script". This applies the changes to the Explorer.exe file.
10. Save the Modified File: Save the modified Explorer.exe file. Resource Hacker may prompt you to save it as a different file name. It’s generally best to save it directly as Explorer.exe, overwriting the original file.
11. Restart Explorer: The changes won’t take effect until you restart the Explorer process. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Find Explorer.exe in the "Processes" tab, select it, and click "End Process". Then, go to "File" > "New Task (Run…)" and type Explorer.exe and press enter to restart.

Modifying the Startup Button Text

Changing the text on the Windows XP startup button is less straightforward. It typically involves modifying a string resource within Explorer.exe.

Here’s how:

1. Using Resource Hacker (again): Open Explorer.exe in Resource Hacker as described in the previous section.
2. Navigate to the String Table: In Resource Hacker’s left pane, expand the "String Table" folder.
3. Locate the String: String resources are grouped into numbered folders (e.g., "37," "38," etc.). The string for the startup button text is often located within one of these groups. You’ll need to browse through them to find the correct one. Look for a string that contains the word "Start" or a similar phrase. The specific string number can vary based on the Windows XP version and language.
4. Modify the String: Double-click the string you want to change to edit it. Replace the existing text with your desired text. For example, you could change "Start" to "Begin" or any other short phrase.
5. Compile Script: As before, go to the "Action" menu and select "Compile Script".
6. Save the Modified File: Save the modified Explorer.exe file.
7. Restart Explorer: Restart the Explorer process as described in the previous section for the changes to take effect.

The table below summarizes the key steps for icon and text modifications:

Task	Tool Required	File to Modify	Resource Type	Action
Change Startup Icon	Resource Hacker	Explorer.exe	Icon	Replace existing icon with a new .ico file.
Change Startup Text	Resource Hacker	Explorer.exe	String Table	Modify the string resource containing the "Start" text.

Important Considerations:

• System Stability: Incorrectly modifying Explorer.exe can cause system instability. Always back up your system and the original Explorer.exe file before making changes.
• User Account Control (UAC): Windows XP doesn’t have UAC. It may be necessary to run Resource Hacker as an administrator (if your account doesn’t have administrator privileges) to save changes to Explorer.exe.
• Alternative Methods: There might be third-party tools that simplify the startup button customization process, but using them still carries some risk.

Remember that changing the Windows XP startup button, especially by directly modifying system files, is an advanced operation. Proceed with caution and always back up your data.

So, have fun tweaking your Windows XP startup button! It’s a small change, but customizing the icons and text on the Windows XP startup button can really give your system a personal touch and a fresh feel. Go ahead, give it a shot and make your XP desktop truly your own!