In windows 7 ,you can customize how linkss ,icons,and menus look and behave on the Start menu.
First,just right-click Start and select properties.

Then go to Start Menu tab,click Customize….

Then in the Customize Start Menu window

you can customize start menu youself,eg:
- Number of recent programs to display in start menu
- Number of recent items to display in Jump lists
- If to use large icons in start menu
- display system administrative tools on start menu