In an incredibly record time, the “nimble eight”, released just a couple of years ago, managed to win a lot of fans. And there is a reasonable explanation for this. The creative approach of developers to the design style of the new OS is due to the cold calculation of the far-sighted Microsoft team. The Metro interface really looks spectacular. However, the Start button in Windows 8 somewhat perplexed conservative users. However, the problem was quickly resolved. Do not be too lazy to read this article, from which you will learn a lot of interesting things about the start button and how to return the usual comfort in working with the successor to Windows 7.
Joy and frustration
Touch devices literally changed. The hardware stuffing of compact devices, “inspired” by the new features of the operating system, began to amaze its owners with productive performance. And the Start menu in Windows 8 quite harmoniously fit into the tiled mosaic of the start screen. Nevertheless, desktop users literally immediately felt such a trick in such an innovation from Bill and his team. The inconvenience and unfamiliarity pretty much ruined the nerves of many who so eagerly awaited the release of Microsoft excellence. Alas, a miracle was not given to happen. And that's why.
Windows 8: where is the start button?
It’s hard for us users who are accustomed to the traditional scenario to retrain - that’s the way the person works, and the G8, with its starting twist, has once again confirmed the truth of the wise statement, “And an old woman is a liar.” Needless to say, a solution was found. Savvy programmers returned the lost functionality of the previous eight operating systems. Today, there is an incredible variety of various programs and tweakers with which the user resolves a deadlock. However, some with some gratitude “moved” to Metro literally right away. True connoisseurs of established traditions began to install software features on their PCs and laptops. Life began to improve! If you are wondering where the Start menu is in Windows 8 with the original interface, you will see the answer by looking at the start screen of the new operating system.
The most proven methods to return a convenient button to its place
In order not to frighten the most indecisive users, perhaps we will start with free options.
Solution # 1: VIStart
This program is absolutely free, almost weightless, its size is only 800 KB. However, a drawback is present in the form of a lack of a Russian interface. By the way, it was previously developed as software for decorating Windows XP. Today it performs a useful mission - to return the Start button to its previous place in the G8. This application supports skins, which means that using this software, you can change the appearance of the start menu.
Installation and setup
After installation, the Lee-Soft Application Manager icon will appear in the system tray, which, in principle, is an update agent, the Start button itself will not appear in Windows 8. Create a toolbar and name it Start. However, the issue is resolved in automatic mode. After you see the desired icon, the installation process can be considered complete. Clicking on the icon with the right mouse button will allow you to replace the design.
Solution # 2: Classic Shell
Incredibly convenient software, the size of the distribution is 8.5 MB, there is a Russian interface. It is also a freeware program. Once again, Windows 8 has lost the classic menu, and not every software is able to correctly recreate a decent version of comfortable functionality. Classic Shell will return your operating system to its former management efficiency, and the traditional Windows 7 logo will appear in the lower left corner of the screen, which you can change the icon to another type. Immediately after installation, the program will offer at your discretion three classic types of the Start menu. So for those who value the standard, this is simply an indispensable program.
Installation and setup
Installation does not take much time and does not require any explanation. Everything is pretty standard and simple. As for the program settings, here the widest prospects open for the user. In addition to changing the appearance of the start menu for Windows 8, a lover of conservative solutions can resort to various options, using them, you can achieve full compliance with the standard implemented in the seventh OS. With certain settings , the Win key is able to perform various actions. For example, calling the start screen or traditional entry into the Start menu. However, the user can specify any key combination to perform certain actions according to the scenario specified by him. A stunning selection of tools will surprise even a skeptic. In the program, you can change everything: sound, graphic design, make fine tuning of the interface, as well as add or remove tabs placed in the launch window of applications. Classic Shell is competent to solve such a problem.
Solution # 3: Win8StartButton
This is a fairly primitive-looking software, but nevertheless, the return of the start button is within his power. The size of the installation file is 400 KB, but, unfortunately, there is no Russian interface. This application takes into account the preferences of those who do not want to part with the new-fangled Metro style, but still want to fill the empty space with a nostalgic reminder of the lost Windows Start icon. It is worth noting that the only thing that makes this software solution useful is the ability to call the start menu of the eighth OS, although in a somewhat compressed form. Perhaps some of the users of such software will like it. In any case, such a constructive approach to solving the problem has the right to life.
Solution # 4: Start Menu Reviver
Such a truly amazing software product cannot be left unnoticed. For unknown reasons, this "craziness" is considered popular. While the disgruntled G8 user is in search of the perfect solution to how to install the Start button, they are trying to reward Windows 8 with a new tiled interface.
Set up and use Mini Metro
What the user sees after installation is, in fact, the start screen of the new version of Windows Phone. The randomly arranged tiles of applications, services, and services do not lend themselves to any systematization. Of course, the user has the opportunity to eliminate all this, but the question of why duplicate what the program is designed to save the user from is not a logical solution. Perhaps such a strangeness for someone is the sought-after original solution. In any case, you decide whether the program is worth your attention.
Solution # 4: Start Menu X
The well-known and very popular program. The software fit in a compact 4.4 MB, a Russian-language designation is present. Despite the fact that the set of functionality is practically no different from some previously presented applications, nevertheless, the features of originality are quite distinguishable when the user customizes this interface element specifically for his purposes using the Windows 8 operating system. Add the Start button to its rightful place, when you use “Start Menu X,” it's simple enough. Even a novice user will quite cope with such a task.
Setup and use
In order to make the necessary changes in the program, just right-click on the icon once, which after installation takes its natural position in the lower left corner of the screen. A unique design element for the Start button is the hero of the popular Angry Birds game. The tweaker has ample opportunities for customizing the function keys, as well as a number of optional additions: editing the list of programs in the start menu, disabling the active corners inherent in the "eight", changing skins, and more. It is worth noting that this is the only program of all presented in this review, which will require a reboot of the system after its removal. The program has a unique feature - a grouping of applications, that is, the user can transfer programs to the printer, the Internet, or multimedia processing to a separate folder. In general, you are guaranteed maximum comfort when using this tweaker.
Solution # 5: Wentutu
In Windows 8, returning the Start button to this program will certainly help you. However, the meager functionality and long launch of the application is a big minus to the developers. Lovers of asceticism and thoughtful users by nature might like the program.
Solution # 6: Power 8
The name speaks for itself! After installing the program, the user will most likely be discouraged by the size of the Start button. However, the minimized view of the control lends itself to a magnification process. The main advantage of such a software solution is the original design of the functionality that is missing in the new operating system. The style is as close as possible to Windows 8. The classic Start menu will now look on your computer as a harmonious continuation of the G8 design. Fortunately, the developers foresaw the moment that it would be more convenient for Russian-speaking users to control the program’s functionality using Cyrillic characters.
Application setup
The rather small arsenal of design tools is compensated by a proprietary feature: the Search field now searches not only on local drives, but also on the Internet. True, there is a somewhat uncomfortable moment: before each search query, you must insert a prefix in the form of a letter. For example, to use Google, you need to enter "g". The settings provide for locking the start screen of the "eight", and the user is given the opportunity to edit the list displayed in the program menu. Otherwise, everything is the same as everyone else.
Solution # 7: StartIsBack
In this case, the installed Start button in Windows 8 can cost the user money. Yes, you heard right, this is a paid program! So what are the developers justifying themselves for? Let's get it right.
Setting up and using the program
At first glance, the program does not strike anything outstanding. However, with a more detailed acquaintance, everything looks more than perfect. After installing StartIsBack, the function button organically takes its place without any unnecessary actions and “pushing” by the user. The graphics are just on top. Literally every control duplicates the original Start menu of the Windows 7 operating system to the smallest detail. Of course, if you want to change the appearance of the launch window or make other types of settings, all this is available to you, as in the case of using this functionality in the seventh OS If you do not want to permanently part with the advantages of the Metro interface, the program offers several types of settings with which you can achieve the desired results with special ease. Believe me, $ 3, and this is exactly the price of software, is invaluable comfort with the further use of Windows 8.
Start button
The programs with descriptions of which you have read are united by one common purpose - to return an unfairly removed control to a new operating system. Of course, in this review, not all ways of transforming the Start menu are presented. Nevertheless, the main "leaders" were considered with all the objectivity of an unbiased user. Nevertheless, the Classic Shell program can be considered the most appropriate for its functions. Agree, a fully functional and stable working free application is a pretty valuable gift. Full compatibility with all well-known operating systems from Microsoft (including version 8.1) put such a program at the highest level in terms of appropriateness. Download the installation distribution kit from the official site, and your problem will be solved.
Alternative
The G8 developers did their best! The new OS provides the ability to facilitate the time-consuming process of switching to the start screen and back to the desktop. By the way, the "Start" for Windows 8 can be done using standard tools. Often, meaningless wandering among the colorful Metro tiles in search of the right program can simply be avoided. Below is what to do.
Start pseudo-menu
The user of the eighth OS can at any time create the so-called toolbar, in which all necessary programs will be reflected. In fact, this solution is a kind of substitute for the classic Start button. If for some reason you do not want to install third-party software and are completely satisfied with the new interface, the presented option will help you to significantly increase your productivity when working with Windows 8. Proceed as follows:
- Right-click on the "Taskbar".
- From the drop-down menu, select “Panels” - “Create ... tools”.
- In the "Folders" checkbox, paste:% ProgramData% \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Start Menu \ Programs.
- After you click on the button "Select ..." located below, the toolbar with the ambiguous name Programs will appear in the tray.
Now you can always quickly launch the necessary program or application that is installed on your computer. And let it not be a problem for you that the Windows 8 Start button has disappeared; in any case, you will appreciate such convenience as unhindered access to installed software through a new toolbar.
You may be lucky!
If you use the preliminary version of the eight, and in particular Developer Preview, then you are just lucky. The fact is that in this operational product there is such a classic control as the standard Start button. All you have to do is change some values in the registry. Be careful when working in a special editor, since incorrectly entered parameters can affect the stability and performance of the system as a whole.
Button return process
In order to return the "Start" button for Windows 8, you need to do the following:
- Using the Win + R key combination, call the Run utility.
- At the prompt, type regedit.
- After you enter the registry editor, follow the path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer.
- After that, in the right part of the window, click on RPEnabled.
- Select Modifi from the context menu, and in the next window (in the Value Data check box) change the value from “1” to “0”. Do not forget to confirm your actions with the OK button.
After rebooting the operating system, you will be pleasantly surprised by the primordial functionality of the Start menu.
Finally
Perhaps, one of you, in the process of familiarizing yourself with this material, was somewhat thoughtful about why all this torment was necessary, if you could establish the “seven” and not fool yourself. You may be right. However, the predecessor of the eighth OS is significantly inferior in all respects to the new operating system. This is the only reason why the absolute majority of desktop users so need the Start button in Windows 8. Let's not forget that many developers are focusing on new OSes. In other words, all their efforts and professional research in one way or another will be directed towards the prospects of their development. Thus, whether we want it or not, in order to remain on the “wave of unlimited possibilities”, we should nevertheless opt for the G8. However, it is quite possible that for some PC users, such warnings will seem completely uncritical to do anything right now and immediately. Therefore - to each his own.