# ValliStart

![](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/80020581/169686772-4ffa8032-c98f-4af7-9805-4f6bcfd25d32.png)

**ValliStart** is a start menu replacement for Windows, with full customizability, interchangeable modules and more.

More: [Github repo](https://github.com/Jax-Core/ValliStart)

### Media player

This module will retrieve and display media metadata. You can learn how to set it up [here](https://wiki.jaxcore.app/getting-started/additional-requisites).

### Positioning

This module automatically positions itself. You can learn how to change the positioning [here](https://wiki.jaxcore.app/getting-started/faqs).

### Weather info

This module can display weather information. You can learn how to set it up [here](https://wiki.jaxcore.app/getting-started/changing-global-options).

## Activation

ValliStart can be activated in multiple ways:

### **Replacing the native windows button and key**

You can launch ValliStart just like the start menu with the `Win` Key. Additionally, you can replace the windows button by:

#### Creating a pseudo start button with core

1. Navigate to `JaxCore -> ValliStart -> General -> Setting: Customize how to activate ValliStart` and turn on override start button.
2. Select a start orb name. The default is `Win11`. You can choose another one / add your own one in the orbs directory, and entering another start orb name.
3. Press the `Create` button above
4. Core should popup the explorer with shortcut `ValliStart.lnk` inside
5. Drag the shortcut to the taskbar
6. Now you have a pseudo start button on the taskbar!
7. If you want to remove the stock start button: You can use [StartKiller](http://www.startkiller.com/) for Win10. There are no known ways of doing so on Windows 11.

#### Using ValliStart's WinBlock function to create an overlay which overlaps the start button on your taskbar

1. Navigate to `JaxCore -> ValliStart -> General -> Setting: Customize how to activate ValliStart` and turn on override start button.
2. Toggle `Setting: Display WinBlock element (legacy)` on
3. Switch `Setting: Win block behavior` to edit
4. Drag the winblocker to desired location
5. Switch `Setting: Win block behavior` to functional

### **Using a separate hotkey**

You can also launch ValliStart with the hotkey of your choice. This does not support overriding the displayed window button on your taskbar.

1. Navigate to `JaxCore -> ValliStart -> General -> Setting: How should ValliStart behave?` and switch the option to `Separate module`
2. Change `Setting: Activation Hotkey`to your desired hotkey

## Customization

### ValliStart modules

![An empty module](https://2770834458-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiCj96kpoawfnmGbTHf6m%2Fuploads%2FZCequnSLbcoqH95JLi9t%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=1c02226a-01f0-447d-85e7-6ce298e7bd66)

You can fully customize ValliStart's modules in ValliStart's `module` settings. 

**Arrow icon / clicking on the image** would allow you to select a module from 4 categories.

**Cross icon** would empty the module slot

**Cog icon** would show the settings for that module slot

### ValliStart layouts

Layouts are pre-made set of ValliStart modules which you can apply instantly.

### ValliStart shortcuts

![The shortcut module](https://2770834458-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiCj96kpoawfnmGbTHf6m%2Fuploads%2FHmt7MUGPbxuh7f3uMrR1%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=ce5b52df-457a-46b7-a2bf-91aa7f1cfb4e)

![What the shortcut modules looks like by default](https://2770834458-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiCj96kpoawfnmGbTHf6m%2Fuploads%2FhQUz64J5ERcoGCUsiCYB%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=0c3c6514-167a-4a01-8b52-2c8805ef1d1d)

![Different shortcut styles](https://2770834458-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiCj96kpoawfnmGbTHf6m%2Fuploads%2FFD1ExpcdEvKTSiVptC0M%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=f759a448-2539-4831-92dc-f31f53f29b8e)

After applying the shortcuts module, click on the top right icon in ValliStart to change or add new shortcuts.

You can customize the appearance of the shortcuts by clicking on the **cog icon** in the shortcuts editor, and choosing 1 of the 3 styles. The default is `Win11`.