Now click the Tools menu and select the System Configuration Utility. Next, click on the Advanced button and check the Disable Fast Shutdown option. This will ensure that Windows shuts down all programs first, before shutting down for good. If you utilize the Active Desktop you can create shortcuts to email recipients and send mail right from the Start menu. Just click Start, your new folder and select an address.
Shortcuts are probably the most handy things to have around.
If you have a select few that are your favorites, but don't want to clutter your desktop with them, try the following. To quickly add a shortcut to the top layer of the Start menu, drag it from an open folder or from Windows Explorer directly onto the Start button. This quickie should put the shortcut at the top of your Start menu for quick and easy access. Like just about anything in Windows, the more you explore, the more you'll find that there are a quick and better ways to do things. Some features of the taskbar are no exception.