Make "All Programs" in start menu always open? (Win7)
 

I don't care for the recent items list in the start menu. I would much prefer to just have "All Programs" displayed automatically without the need to click the "All Programs" button. Is this possible (Windows 7)?

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5114/startmenu.png

I don't think it's possible. The start menu has been this way since at least Windows 98.

I'd even use an alternative start menu. I had one in the past that worked how I wanted but it didn't have the search box (which I find very useful).

Quite silly that this option isn't available.... just like you cannot turn off the thumbnails when hovering over taskbar items while using aero... (although I did registry fix it) these things should still be options.

Haven't found a post indicating a way to do what you're requesting... but if I do I'll report.