Getting the Start menu back in Windows 8

from JoeUser Forums

 

The lack of a start button and start menu in Windows 8 has made using Microsoft’s new OS a non-starter for me and a lot of other people. 

I like Metro, I really do – for tablets. But as a desktop user, I need a consistent work flow that lets me have my windows together on my desktop and don’t want to be jerked out of that environment every time I want to start some new program.

So here’s a free utility we put together that brings the Metro start menu onto the Windows 8 desktop:

https://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

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124,142 views 26 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sweet!!  I'll take it!

SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This is so great.   5* 5*    It's bookmarked.    Thank-you

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Very interesting.

I hope i won't have to "have"/"see" the orb though - I kind of like my taskbar cleaner as it is now.

Maybe a configurable option? Otherwise just hook the win key press, or mouse hovering over the bottom left corner (which shows the start screen thumbnail right now).

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top


 
The lack of a start button and start menu in Windows 8 has made using Microsoft’s new OS a non-starter for me and a lot of other people. 
I like Metro, I really do – for tablets. But as a desktop user, I need a consistent work flow that lets me have my windows together on my desktop and don’t want to be jerked out of that environment every time I want to start some new program.
So here’s a free utility we put together that brings the Metro start menu onto the Windows 8 desktop:
https://www.stardock.com/products/start8/


End of quote

Damn...now no excuse to avoid checking out 8 ....;p

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting ransagy, reply 4
I hope i won't have to "have"/"see" the orb though - I kind of like my taskbar cleaner as it is now.

End of ransagy's quote

I'd like to think it's going to be customizable.

 

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting ransagy, reply 4
Very interesting.

I hope i won't have to "have"/"see" the orb though - I kind of like my taskbar cleaner as it is now.

Maybe a configurable option? Otherwise just hook the win key press, or mouse hovering over the bottom left corner (which shows the start screen thumbnail right now).
End of ransagy's quote
Start8 has a few buttons pre-installed.  Making your own is not a problem.

[Please forgive the resolution, I'm remoted into my Win8 machine through a tablet at the office]

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

:')

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 5
Damn...now no excuse to avoid checking out 8
End of Jafo's quote

Since the start menu app came out...nope.

Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting Uvah, reply 9
Since the start menu app came out...nope.
End of Uvah's quote

Yup, downloading iso now. I want to see the goodies under the hood of 8 that i will likely miss out on since i can't see myself ever being able to live with metro....

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Uvah, reply 9

Quoting Jafo, reply 5Damn...now no excuse to avoid checking out 8

Since the start menu app came out...nope.
End of Uvah's quote

Are you telling me, Uvah, that you're going to install Win 8 now SD has done this app?

Hmmm, dunno whether to call you curious or just soft for toeing the Win 8 line. ;)

Quoting Neilo, reply 10

Quoting Uvah, reply 9Since the start menu app came out...nope.
Yup, downloading iso now. I want to see the goodies under the hood of 8 that i will likely miss out on since i can't see myself ever being able to live with metro....
End of Neilo's quote

Yeah, this is the way I'm feeling at the moment.  I don't think I could ever live with Metro being the default UI, but I sure would like to see the under the hood improvements for myself.  Hmmm, will I or won't I?????   I do have a spare partition, and I have plenty of quota left, not to mention the speed for a fast download, so it's not like I can't... and the SD app would make it more user friendly, wouldn't it?

Oh heck, I jight must as well give it a whirl... just to see what I'm missing when I decide not to buy it later on. ;)

PS, oh, and Uvah.... you're curious. :w00t:

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

The current problem i have with Windows 8 is that the Metro Startmenu is only displayed on 1 monitor. Can Start 8 be setup to work on my second monitor or is it not (yet) compatible with that?) If it works: will it replace Metro completely or is it just a button and sliding your mouse all the way to the bottom-left will still trigger metro?

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yes I am Mark. I read all the hype and comments and to be honest this may be a waste of time but, even though its temporary, having it to play with and getting to know a little bit more from hands on experience could justify whether or not I recommend it to people. I managed to get some to upgrade to Win 7 and so far they like it. I'm not holding that out for 8 though. With this app to bring the start menu back...methinks when others see it they'll get curious too now that they won't be stuck. Besides if i want to complain some more it'll help to know what I'm talkin' about. lol

BTW - I started downloading the ISO yesterday at 3pm. So far I got all of two gigs downloaded and its 4:36 in the a.m. I had to pause it a couple of times.

Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 11
Yeah, this is the way I'm feeling at the moment. I don't think I could ever live with Metro being the default UI, but I sure would like to see the under the hood improvements for myself. Hmmm, will I or won't I????? I do have a spare partition, and I have plenty of quota left, not to mention the speed for a fast download, so it's not like I can't... and the SD app would make it more user friendly, wouldn't it?
End of starkers's quote


My sentiments exactly. I'll likely merge the partition back in a few days once i have checked 8 out.

Quoting martin41, reply 12
The current problem i have with Windows 8 is that the Metro Startmenu is only displayed on 1 monitor. Can Start 8 be setup to work on my second monitor or is it not (yet) compatible with that?) If it works: will it replace Metro completely or is it just a button and sliding your mouse all the way to the bottom-left will still trigger metro?
End of martin41's quote


Here's a thought for SD, and MS as well. Can you (those of us running duel monitors) Have Metro in mon1 and the desktop in mon2? That might make metro that much easier to live with...

Food for thought?

Quoting Uvah, reply 13
Besides if i want to complain some more it'll help to know what I'm talkin' about. lol
End of Uvah's quote

hehe...yup, can justify hating metro that much more when i have checked cpu usage on a 1920 x 1080 gadget!!! :p (or whatever we are to call them in metro....)

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm just about to install on a spare partition... took all of 26 minutes to download... so we shall see what we shall see.

I'll have a play with it and get back later with a verdict. |-)

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

2.6 gigs dl'd. So sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow!

Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I'll mess with it tomorrow, it's after 10pm (AUS) now and i cannot be bothered.
:)

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ist it out already or are there just people who got it in advance ? Didn't get any mail...

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Not 8, that one is installed as a virtual machine already. I was reffering to the stardock tool. ;)

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting c242, reply 20
Not 8, that one is installed as a virtual machine already. I was reffering to the stardock tool.
End of c242's quote

Yeah, up top, in the OP... the link to Start8 is there at bottom of page.

Anyhow peoples, I have Win 8 installed and have had a little play with it.  I'm not too impressed so far, but it may have potential with this Stardock app and the Nextstart component of Winstep Xtreme... though Workshelf will have its place also, to create access points to my programs, files and folders, etc.  Hopefully there's no problem installing the Winstep apps, because I believe they will give Win 8 greater functionality from word go.

Oh well, we'll see.  Later! :)

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I got it and trying to get it installed. Its not going to the partition I want it to.

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Uvah, reply 22
I got it and trying to get it installed. Its not going to the partition I want it to.
End of Uvah's quote

Uvah, you need to boot from disc to select the partition/drive you want to use... then select Custom Install.  In the next dialog box there will be an option to select the drive/partition, whether you want to format it, etc.  Once you've done that Win 8 will install as directed.

Hope this helps. |-)

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Tanks   :grin:

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

And you need to be sure that the second partition is ready in advance.