Tip of the Week: Customizing Windows' Start Menu March 28, 2012, 5:42 am The Windows Start menu lists programs in alphabetical order by default, but if you would prefer to arrange things in your own way, you can override the alphabet. Just right-click on the Start button, choose Properties from the contextual menu and click on the Start menu tab in the Properties box. Click the Customize button, scroll down and remove the checkmark from the box next to "Sort All Programs menu by name." Click O.K. to close the Properties box and apply the new settings. You can now drag programs into your preferred order on the Start menu.