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The Start menu is a graphical user interface element used in Microsoft Windows since Windows 95 and in other operating systems. It provides a central launching point for computer programs and performing other tasks in the Windows shell. It is named Start screen in Windows 8.
It has been co-opted by some operating systems and Linux desktop environments for providing a more Windows-like experience, and as such is for example present in KDE, with the name of Kickoff Application Launcher, and on Xfce with the name of Whisker Menu.
Traditionally, the Start menu provided a customizable nested list of programs for the user to launch, as well as a list of most recently opened documents, a way to find files and obtain assistance, and access to the system settings. Later enhancements via Windows Desktop Update included access to special folders such as "My Documents" and "Favorites". Windows XP's Start menu was expanded to encompass various My Documents folders , and transplanted other items like My Computer and My Network Places from the Windows desktop. Until Windows Vista, the Start menu was constantly expanded across the screen as the user navigated through its cascading sub-menus.