Hacking the Windows XP Start Button Text

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In this article I’m going to show you step-by-step how to edit the Windows XP Start button. In the first part of this three part series we'll take a look at how Windows protects itself and how we can bypass that to make our own Start button customizations.

We’re going to begin very simply by changing the start button text.  You’re going to be editing some core Windows files.  These are binary files and can’t be edited using a standard text editor.

In order to make these changes, you’re going to need a resource editor.  A resource editor is a program that allows you to open compiled binary files such as exes and dlls and edit their resources.  Resources include things like text strings (for dialog boxes) and the bitmap images used for icons and dialogs.

It’s probably a good idea to print out this article so that you can follow along.  Once we get started, you won’t be able to have your browser open.

There are many resource editors available including XN Resource Editor and Resource Builder, but I think the easiest one to use is an “oldie but goodie” from circa 2000, Resource Hacker.

Resource Hacker has a very simple interface and very simple menus that make it extremely simple to use for beginners and very quick for experts.  It also doesn’t require any installation.  Just download the zip and extract it with your favorite zip program.

Once you have Resource Hacker, go ahead and download the component pack I’ve put together.  It contains all of the example graphics I’ve used as well as a WSH script you can use to save time later in this article.

Now is also a good time to close any unnecessary programs and disable any antivirus programs.  You need to make sure that Explorer.exe is not in use by any other programs; antivirus software sometimes protects it with real-time scanning.

You have everything you need; now you’re ready to rock!

Next: Back up those files! >>
 

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