They did heavy user research when building the Win95 UI. They experimented and then had real users come in and try to do stuff. When the users couldn't figure

They did heavy user research when building the Win95 UI. They experimented and then had real users come in and try to do stuff. When the users couldn't figure something out they went back and fixed it. Originally what was the start menu was just a single icon button just like it is now. But people looking a fresh Windows desktop didn't know what to do. So that's why they put the word "start" on it and it became the start menu. Users looking at the desktop would then immediately click there and find all the applications. Just imagine that same process for everything. These days I don't think nearly as much effort goes into it -- and maybe for good reason -- end users might just re-invent the Windows 95 UI!