What is the best Start menu app or trick for Windows 8

[Bacstar]

I'm using StartIsBack which was like $3.00 for 2 licenses. I found this through another message board. I really like the Metro UI on my tablet, but on my desktop, it's just a pain.

http://www.startisback.com/

 

[RampantAndroid]

Sounds like Start8 has fewer features than Classic Shell. What does the "better replica" part buy you in terms of usability?

What is missing from the Win7 start menu?

 

[lakedude]

Classic Shell is free and Start 8 cost $5. That makes Classic Shell an infinitely better value.

For 5 dollars the OP could try both!

 

[postmark]

I wish start 8 would allow running metro apps in a Window.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I wish start 8 would allow running metro apps in a Window.

I don't think that's something Start8 can make happen...

 

[postmark]

I don't think that's something Start8 can make happen...

RetroUI claims to be able to do this

 

[ViRGE]

Sounds like Start8 has fewer features than Classic Shell. What does the "better replica" part buy you in terms of usability?

Searching, pinning, and more or less exactly matching the visual style of the Win7 start menu. There's a free trial, so it may be worth checking out.

 

[rajanurs]

ex7forW8 is the best for a complete rollback to the Win7 menu

 

[RPB]

ex7forW8 is the best for a complete rollback to the Win7 menu

Now that did the trick.

Thank you very much.

 

[hellfire88]

Stardock (makers of Start8) is offering a promo for both Start8 and Decor8 (lets you customize the Win8 Start screen more) for $7.99 (regular price is $4.99 each) here

Not sure when the promo ends.

 

[xilience]

If you hit the Win key and just start typing, Windows will begin searching for the app/file you are looking for. This is the exact same process from Win7 (and arguably how EVERYONE should have been using the start menu) but the UI has changed.

Teach everyone this process now while they are still on Win7 and you will have less of a headache when your less techy folks move to Win8.

 

[Pardus]

..

 

[yinan]

If you hit the Win key and just start typing, Windows will begin searching for the app/file you are looking for. This is the exact same process from Win7 (and arguably how EVERYONE should have been using the start menu) but the UI has changed.

Teach everyone this process now while they are still on Win7 and you will have less of a headache when your less techy folks move to Win8.

I do this now in Win 7 but I do not lose complete visibility of my desktop while doing so.

 

[Nothinman]

If you hit the Win key and just start typing, Windows will begin searching for the app/file you are looking for. This is the exact same process from Win7 (and arguably how EVERYONE should have been using the start menu) but the UI has changed.

Teach everyone this process now while they are still on Win7 and you will have less of a headache when your less techy folks move to Win8.

Except it doesn't work the same because it splits out results which it didn't do before. So I can't just type 'features' and get the Programs and Features control panel to show up in the list. And for things that have both a metro version and a desktop version the metro one is selected by default and sometimes the desktop equivalent isn't even in the list, for example if you type 'updates' you don't even get an icon to start the desktop WU control panel to check for updates.

 

[Remobz]

ex7forW8 is the best for a complete rollback to the Win7 menu

Nifty!

 

[Chiefcrowe]

I posted these before, could be a good solution since it doesn't require extra software:

Add a self-made Start button to the Windows 8 desktop
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2290422&highlight=

Add a Shutdown menu to the Windows 8 desktop
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/add-a-shutdown-menu-to-the-windows-8-desktop/7031

 

[Mem]

Latest Win+X Menu editor they have added presets etc like Paint, Shut down,Windows updates to name a few .


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