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Windows Vista - Start Menu - Taskbar - Toolbars

Stop Highlighting New Programs

SUMMARY: Prevent Windows Vista from highlighting new and updated software in the All Programs menu.

Depending on your configuration, when you install or upgrade software in Windows Vista, the software may for a brief time appear highlighted when viewing the "All Programs" menu.

This highlighting is done as a convenience to make it easier for you to find your newly-installed software. However, some may find this automatic highlighting annoying, as it also seems to occur every time a major update is performed of software such as iTunes or QuickTime. Thus, this can be disabled.


1. Right-click an empty area of the Windows Taskbar and choose "Properties".

2. When the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click the "Start Menu" tab.

3. Next to the "Start menu" radio button click the "Customize" button.


4. The "Customize Start Menu" dialog box appears. Scroll down the list of options and uncheck "Highlight newly installed programs".

5. Click "OK" on the dialog boxes to close them.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >