The Start Menu is always available to you in Windows XP. You can return to the start menu at anytime by selecting the Start button on the taskbar.

The Start menu contains everything you need to begin using Windows. You can start programs, open files, customize your system, get help, search for files on your computer, and much more.

You can access the start menu through several ways:

·         Move your mouse pointer to the green start button and select it.

·         Hit the Windows key on your keyboard.

·         Use the keyboard short-cut of Ctrl key + Esc key. (This means to hold one key down and then push the other key. Both keys are basically pressed at the same time, then let go.)

To browse through the start menu and other menus you can move your mouse to the desired position and the menu should appear. You can also click on the submenu and it will appear. Once the sub-menu appears you may navigate to this section of the next menu. To familiarize yourself with the Start Menu, browse through it and try some of the applications. These applications can be opened by left clicking on them.