Get back your Start Menu in Windows 8 with Start8

Are you missing the Start Menu in Windows 8? Same here, we too. 

As you know that Microsoft has dropped the Start Menu in Windows 8 to make an OS that will have same look and feel on both computers and touchscreen systems. This information was released a time ago this year. 

Start Menu in Windows 8 provides functionality and ease of access. On hitting, it will take you to the list of pinned apps on Start Screen. Although it is useful, but most of us are missing the old conventional Start Menu, because you know it can display all programs, and frankly speaking, its easier to use than Start Screen. 

Those of you who'd want the old menu back, here's an option to recover it. Start8 gives you an option to add Start Menu.

The program has only recently moved to a stable development build, but it started making waves online since it was in beta. Stardock’s Start8 is not free and the price tag indicates a $4.99 fee. You can try it for 30 days with all features enabled. ObjectDock, another product from Startdock has all features of Start8, but also has few more options such as 

It's easy to install the utility. It has simple and clean user interface and can be easily operated. Before you jump to reboot the system, you can customize its looks and set the permanent shortcuts you want in the right hand side of the Start menu. Also configurable are the actions available for the classic environment, as well as for Modern UI.


Download Start8

Screen shots

 1. Start8 About Window. 

2. You can choose between Windows 7 and Windows 8 styles. 

3. Windows 7 styled Start Menu.

4. Windows 7 styled All programs menu (It is not detailed because we don't have lot of programs installed).

5. Windows 8 styled Start Menu.

6. Start8 app in Start Screen.

How to customize Windows Start Menu

Are you got bored with the traditional Windows Start Menu? Well, here's a way to customize it.

The shareware tool Start Menu 7 offers a good alternative to the standard start menu; this can be downloaded from startmenu7.com.

According to the developers, Start Menu 7 runs on both XP and Vista in addition to Windows 7 as its name suggests. For installation, double-click on the downloaded file in Windows Explorer and follow the instructions given by the setup wizard.

You must have a user account with administrator rights during the process as the setup routine involves accessing important system files. Once the installation is complete start the Program using the command ‘Start> All programs> Start Menu 7> Start Menu 7’. Now, when you click on ‘Start’ you will not see the usual start menu provided by Windows, but instead, a menu that has an extensive collection of links: It has a different visual effect and enables direct access to all the programs and files on your system in an alphabetically sorted sub-menu format, for instance ‘Programs’, ‘My Documents’ or ‘Computer’. In addition to this, the various entries use additional sorting and display tools.

Thus, for instance ‘Program’ offers the structure known as ‘All programs’ as seen in the usual Windows Start menu and on the other hand, the ‘Program’ links can be found under headings such as ‘Quick start’ and ‘Autorun’. 

You can add your own menus and commands using the option ‘Add entries to the menu’. Click on ‘Options’ and ‘Configuration’ so as to complete the experience as per your own taste. Use the option ‘System integration’ and remove the tick in front of ‘Start the Start Menu 7 with Windows’ if you do not wish to activate the tool automatically at every system start. 

You can add more power management buttons in Start Menu 7 using the option ‘Buttons’; this is done to turn off the computer, to restart it, or to enable the use of power management commands in a time-controlled fashion. For this, click on the corresponding button in the Start menu, select the desired function in a menu, for instance ‘Turn off the computer’, and define the period for action in a simple and an intuitive dialog. Finally, click the ‘Start’ button to save the settings.