Route 1 Pro incorporates quite a bit in a little ButtonBar. This is what the Start Menu should've been.

Here's what you get:

Ease of use

• Open an application with the single click of a button - no menus that keep disappearing, no unreadable icons, no overpowering Microsoft logos
• Customize Route 1 Pro to your heart's content by dragging and dropping directly onto the ButtonBar - you don't have to open several dialog boxes or repeatedly scroll through menus to set up the buttons, as you do with the Start Menu.
• Extensive, friendly online help, written in plain English, will guide you through any task.
• Reduce screen clutter by moving all those desktop icons and Start Menu items to Route 1 Pro, where other programs can't screw them up, and Windows can't indiscriminately rearrange them.
• Exit or restart Windows with a single mouse click, and without being asked if you really want to.
• Tear-off menus means that you can launch multiple programs without repeatedly opening the same menus.
• The entire contents of your Start Menu can be imported to Route 1 Pro in a single step (at your option).
• No "Web View" or other new interface to learn; the primary Route 1 Pro interface has remained the same for nearly eleven years.
• No compromise to your security or privacy, as with many Microsoft products.

Flexibility

• Nearly all options can be turned off if you don't like them.
• A clean, unobstructed interface, great for minimalists.
• Lots of options for those who like to customize: change the size of the Buttons, the position of the bar, whether or not it hides itself, the font used in the SubMenus, and even the color of the Eyes that follow the cursor. Or, just turn off the features you don't like.
• All configuration occurs in the same place - no need to edit the Registry or navigate through dozens of incoherent option boxes.
• You actually get to choose how Route 1 Pro responds to drag-drop.
• Buttons can have captions and tooltips.
• None of that silly animation to make your new Pentium 4 seem like a 286; windows snap open without delay.
• You can choose whether or not Route 1 Pro appears in the taskbar, in the system tray, and in the Alt-Tab window.

Goodies

• Schedule scripts and reminders by the time, date, and day of week with EventWatch.
• Hotkey support to bring up ButtonBar, start applications, and display SubMenus - easily configurable, and easily disabled.
• Configure sounds for almost anything - even for specific programs. (Note: no sounds are configured initially, and there's no grand "welcome to our wonderful software" music when you first start it up!)
• Programmers and power users can use DDE to communicate with Route 1 Pro to automate tasks, launch programs, and change settings.
• The tray icon allows you to activate Route 1 Pro if it's covered up, exit or restart Windows, launch a program, change certain settings, get help, switch between multiple configurations, or close Route 1 Pro with the click of a button.
• Auto-Hide (like the option by the same name in the Windows' task bar) will shrink Route 1 Pro out of the way automatically whenever it's not being used.
• "ScreenWrap for mouse cursor" and "Auto-activate window under mouse cursor" make (at your option) using Windows a little easier.

Database

• Integrated database includes address book and note book/scheduler.
• "Book" entries are alongside program entries - all your information is in the same place, and accessible with the same easy-to-use interface.
• The database integrates internet links, allowing you to easily store web and addresses alongside your addressbook entries.

Security

• Use passwords to protect your Route 1 Pro configuration, as well as access to certain programs.
• When used in conjunction with certain Windows security features, you can make a fairly secure workstation.
• Keep a log of all activity.
• If you don't care about security, you'll never be forced to type any passwords in Route 1 Pro - ever.

Multiple Users

• Totally independent from Windows' users, Route 1 Pro's support for multiple users allows you to set up as many different configurations as you like.
• Switch easily between users with SubMenus, scripts, and DDE.
• The new tray icon allows you to switch between users/buttonbars easier and quicker than ever before.

Scripts

• Non-programmers and programmers alike will be able to create scripts in only a few minutes and run them in any version of Windows.
• Automate repetitive tasks, such as copying files, starting several programs at once, and even switching between multiple users/buttonbar configurations.
• Control other applications with ease.
• Communicate with Route 1 Pro to launch programs, change settings, exit or restart windows, and run other scripts.
• Use Scripts in conjunction with the EventWatch scheduler to achieve complete automation.

Better Windows Integration

• Route 1 Pro helps clear out the clutter of your Start Menu and on your desktop, by allowing you to move practically everything to the ButtonBar!
• Total support for Windows Shortcuts and Internet Shortcuts.
• Seamless import of the entire contents of your Start Menu.
• Quicker control of exit, restart, and log out.
• Support for true-color icons.
• Equal support for any web browser you prefer.