[grandpaw7]

I have Windows XP Home Edition with SP2. Some time in the last few days, the menu I get when I click on the Start button changed dramatically. The old menu produced two columns, the one on the left having a white background and the one on the right having a shaded background. The new one produces just one while background column. And the buttons are altogether different. For example, now, when I click on programs I don't find an Accessories button. There are a lot of differences but maybe that is enough to enable someone to tell me what is going on.

I am presuming that the change came about when I installed Windows Defender because I can't think of what else might have caused it.

When I used System Restore to go back to prior to installing Defender, I get the old menu back.

I prefer the old menu. For one thing, I was troubleshooting my printer and the directions called for me to go Start>Programs>Accessories>Wordpad. But with this new menu there is no Accessories button although I suppose there is some way of getting to Accessories and programs like Wordpad.

If Defender is what caused the change, does that mean that in order to keep the old menu I will not be able to have Defender. Another question I have is that I have SpySweeper and I wonder if I even need Defender?

Thanks, grandpaw7

 

[unbidden]

If I'm understanding correctly, I believe your system has reverted to Windows Classic.

Right click START - left click Properties - put a tic in 'Start menu'. IOW uncheck Classic.

 

[stantley]

Another question I have is that I have SpySweeper and I wonder if I even need Defender?

Since you have SpySweeper there is no need for Defender. They both do about the same thing but SpySweeper is much better. Having them both running at the same time is overkill and there might be conflicts.

 

[grandpaw7]

Great, unbidden. Just the input I needed. Thanks much. granpaw7

 

[grandpaw7]

Thanks Stantley. I wondered if that might be the case but needed input from someone more computer savvy than me.