---
title: "MenuStrip Control"
ms.date: "03/30/2017"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "MenuStrip control [Windows Forms]"
  - "menus"
ms.assetid: e361bf98-eed8-4ed3-9dfb-5a2e865e3ce6
---
# MenuStrip Control (Windows Forms)
This control groups application commands and makes them easily accessible.  
  
## In This Section  
 [MenuStrip Control Overview](menustrip-control-overview-windows-forms.md)  
 Explains what the control is and its key features and properties.  
  
 [How to: Add Enhancements to ToolStripMenuItems](how-to-add-enhancements-to-toolstripmenuitems.md)  
 Describes how to add check marks, images, shortcut keys, access keys, and separator bars to menus and menu commands.  
  
 [How to: Append a MenuStrip to an MDI Parent Window](how-to-append-a-menustrip-to-an-mdi-parent-window-windows-forms.md)  
 Describes how to set several properties to append the multiple-document interface (MDI) child menu to the MDI parent menu.  
  
 [How to: Create an MDI Window List with MenuStrip](how-to-create-an-mdi-window-list-with-menustrip-windows-forms.md)  
 Demonstrates how to create a list of all the active child forms on the parent's Window menu.  
  
 [How to: Disable ToolStripMenuItems](how-to-disable-toolstripmenuitems.md)  
 Describes how to disable both entire menus and individual menu commands.  
  
 [How to: Hide ToolStripMenuItems](how-to-hide-toolstripmenuitems.md)  
 Describes how to hide both entire menus and individual menu commands.  
  
 [How to: Insert a MenuStrip into an MDI Drop-Down Menu](how-to-insert-a-menustrip-into-an-mdi-drop-down-menu-windows-forms.md)  
 Describes how to set several properties to insert a group of menu items from the MDI child menu into the drop-down part of the MDI parent menu.  
  
 [How to: Remove a ToolStripMenuItem from an MDI Drop-Down Menu](how-to-remove-a-toolstripmenuitem-from-an-mdi-drop-down-menu-windows-forms.md)  
 Describes how to set several properties to remove a menu item from the drop-down part of the MDI parent menu.  
  
 [How to: Configure MenuStrip Check Margins and Image Margins](how-to-configure-menustrip-check-margins-and-image-margins.md)  
 Describes how to customize a <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip> by setting check and image margin properties in various ways.  
  
 [How to: Provide Standard Menu Items to a Form](how-to-provide-standard-menu-items-to-a-form.md)  
 Describes how to use a <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip> control to create a form with a standard menu.  
  
 [How to: Display Option Buttons in a MenuStrip](how-to-display-option-buttons-in-a-menustrip-windows-forms.md)  
 Describes how to implement option-button (or radio-button) behavior in a <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem>.  
  
 [Merging Menu Items in the Windows Forms MenuStrip Control](merging-menu-items-in-the-windows-forms-menustrip-control.md)  
 Describes general concepts and methods for menu merging.  
  
 [How to: Set Up Automatic Menu Merging for MDI Applications](how-to-set-up-automatic-menu-merging-for-mdi-applications.md)  
 Describes how to merge menu items automatically at run time.  
  
- [MenuStrip Items Collection Editor](https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-studio-2010/ms233625(v=vs.100))  
  
- [How to: Copy ToolStripMenuItems](how-to-copy-toolstripmenuitems.md)  
  
- [How to: Hide ToolStripMenuItems Using the Designer](how-to-hide-toolstripmenuitems-using-the-designer.md)  
  
- [How to: Disable ToolStripMenuItems Using the Designer](how-to-disable-toolstripmenuitems-using-the-designer.md)  
  
- [How to: Move ToolStripMenuItems](how-to-move-toolstripmenuitems.md)  
  
- [Walkthrough: Providing Standard Menu Items to a Form](walkthrough-providing-standard-menu-items-to-a-form.md)  
  
- [MenuStrip Tasks Dialog Box](https://docs.microsoft.com/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-studio-2010/ms233645(v=vs.100))  
  
## Reference  
 <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip>  
 Describes the features of the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip> class, which provides a menu system for a form.  
  
 <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenuStrip>  
 Describes the features of the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenuStrip>, which represents a shortcut menu.  
  
 <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem>  
 Describes the features of the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem> class, which represents a selectable option displayed on a <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip> or <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenuStrip>.  
  
## Related Sections  
 [Controls to Use on Windows Forms](controls-to-use-on-windows-forms.md)  
 Provides a complete list of Windows Forms controls, with links to information on their use.
