Category: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows XP

This setting affects the presentation of the Start menu. The classic Start menu in Windows 2000 Professional allows users to begin common tasks while the new Start menu consolidates common items onto one menu. When the classic Start menu is used the following icons are placed on the desktop: Documents Pictures Music Computer and Network. The new Start menu starts them directly. If you enable this setting the Start menu displays the classic Start menu in the Windows 2000 style and displays the standard desktop icons. If you disable this setting the Start menu only displays in the new style meaning the desktop icons are now on the Start page. If you do not configure this setting the default is the new style and the user can change the view.

This setting configures the location that Windows searches for drivers when a new piece of hardware is found. By default Windows searches the following places for drivers: local installation floppy drives CD-ROM drives Windows Update. Using this setting you may remove the floppy and CD-ROM drives from the search algorithm. If you enable this setting you can remove the locations by selecting the associated check box beside the location name. If you disable or do not configure this setting Windows searches the installation location floppy drives and CD-ROM drives. Note: To prevent searching Windows Update for drivers also see “Turn off Windows Update device driver searching” in Administrative Templates/System/Internet Communication Management/Internet Communication settings.

This setting forces the theme color scheme to be the default color scheme. If you enable this setting a user cannot change the color scheme of the current desktop theme. If you disable or do not configure this setting a user may change the color scheme of the current desktop theme. For Windows 7 and later use the “Prevent changing color and appearance” setting.