HOW TO show/hide items in the Windows 7 Start menu

Recent Items is a Start menu option that I frequently use to pick files I last worked on. I was surprised to find that option as well as the Run command that developers infrequently need, missing from the Windows 7 Start menu. It turns out that these items are just hidden. You can control showing or hiding any items in the Start menu. To enable Recent Items or customize how links, icons & menus look & behave in the Start menu, follow these steps:

• Right click on the Windows 7 Taskbar & select "Properties" from the context menu
• In the Taskbar & Start Menu Properties dialog box that opens, select the "Start Menu" tab.
• From the Start Menu tab select the Customize button. 
• Select or de-select the customization options that you require