Well first, you are doing pretty good.. you got here! Second, in Windows Explorer there are 6 ways to list your files, and if you multiply that by the optional 4 size factors, you have 24 possible ways to view your files, then you can turn on or off the preview view giving you 48 total view options. It's probably just a matter of clicking the "change your view" options till you find the one you are familiar with.
As for the color of the start menu button you can do it, but the level of complexity may be more than it's worth... and there are only 3 options. Here is how:
Link Removed
Also, google menu orb
and figure out some fancy tricks to share with us... we are mostly "under the hood" "meat and bones"...