---
title: "MainMenu Component"
ms.date: "03/30/2017"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "MainMenu control [Windows Forms]"
ms.assetid: 7cd22f29-828b-42e8-9c88-f08aa4533850
---
# MainMenu Component (Windows Forms)
> [!NOTE]
> Although `MenuStrip` and `ContextMenuStrip` replace and add functionality to the `MainMenu` and <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenu> controls of previous versions, `MainMenu` and <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenu> are retained for both backward compatibility and future use if you choose.  
  
 The Windows Forms `MainMenu` component displays a menu at run time.  
  
## In This Section  
 [MainMenu Component Overview](mainmenu-component-overview-windows-forms.md)  
 Explains what this component is and its key features and properties.  
  
## Reference  
 <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MainMenu>  
 Describes this class and has links to all its members.  
  
## See also

- <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip>
- <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenuStrip>