One of the most controversial changes to the Windows 8 interface is the disappearance of the Start menu. Dozens of developers, fortunately, offer their own answers to the question of how to return the Start button in Windows 8. Today we’ll talk about programs that allow this to be done.
From scratch
The concept of the Windows 8 OS interface went against everything that users of Windows versions are used to, starting from "95" to "7". The “tiled” interface found supporters, but there are also those who are ambiguous about the “improvements”. Time will pass, and some users will undoubtedly put up with the unusual movements of the cursor to turn off the computer.
Accustomed to a quick hit in the special "hot" corners of the display. However, dissatisfied exclamations that in Windows 8 it is simply necessary to return the Start button will sound for a long time. With it, many began daily work with a computer. The developers came up with the idea of creating a switchable button by tracking the number of users who will exchange the classic “Start” with the modern “tag” of the metro interface. Representatives of Microsoft, which introduced the operating system, said that the "Start" button is no longer needed, since the entire screen can be turned into one continuous menu.
Perhaps it is. There are probably several advantages to missing the Start button. However, currently there is quite a great demand for various programs for resuscitation of the traditional system interface. Therefore, we turn to a direct discussion of software products.
Power 8 Program
First, we’ll look at how to return the “Start” button with “Power 8” in Windows 8.
After installing the program, the Start button will immediately appear in the corner of the display. However, in appearance it is slightly different from the usual one: in size, the new button is similar to the button for minimizing open windows, which is located in the lower right corner of the taskbar.
If such a small Start button for Windows does not suit you, it's okay, because you can change the sizes in the settings. "Power 8", in addition, allows you to lock the start screen of the system on the main monitor. In the case of using a configuration in which several monitors are present, on the additional desktop, the “hot corner”, which allows calling the tiled interface, will work properly. If the application detects errors, the button will show an exclamation mark.
Comfort to use
The “Start” button for 8 Windows will return to you, which includes a menu with commands to restart and shut down the PC. There are other little things that make work more convenient. Many items received submenus. For example, the user can access the items on the control panel commands and all the features of the Administration tool.
An alternative “Start” has a search - it works quickly, like an original element, which the Windows 7 operating system has at its disposal. Search queries can now be performed both on your local disk and in large search engines. To open a search in a browser, you must enter a special key before the desired word to access a particular search service. Power 8 is able to search in Bing, Google, Wikipedia and Yandex. Parameters of online search keys are available in the program settings.
ViStart 8: Differences and Similarities
Next, we will look at how to set the start button using “ViStart 8”. The Start menu, which the program creates, is almost the same as usual in previous versions of Windows.
But if you look closely, you can see certain differences. For example, application shortcuts that are present in the ViStart menu cannot be placed in the taskbar, it is also impossible to drag a specific shortcut to an installed button in order to fix it in the Start menu.
Search does not work in the best way - it searches only in desktop programs and ignores Windows 8 1 applications, as well as sections of the Control Panel. The “Win” key is intercepted by the program, and when it is pressed, a menu appears. Using the ViStart settings, you can disable support for this button. It’s easy to change the appearance of the Start by selecting a graphic template that includes funny drawings.
More about design and more
The program works, including with Windows 8 1, and by default includes several options for design, among which it is worth noting the Apple logo - a bitten apple. The program settings can be called using the context menu - it opens by clicking on the shortcut of this program, which fell into the notification area.
If you disable the display of this shortcut, then you can puzzle for a long time about how to open the settings window again. In fact, everything is simple - you will find all the program management commands in the shutdown section, which provides for the Windows operating system.
Why you need to make a special shortcut by placing it in the notification area is not entirely clear, as well as the reasons for the appearance of the item with the settings in the "Shutdown".
Start 8
Now we’ll deal with the “Start 8” program and how to return the “Start” button to Windows 8 using it. The application was developed by a well-known company called StarDock and is able to offer almost everything that a Windows 8 user who is yearning for the Start button needs.
The added menu is fully integrated into the operating system and supports launching and searching for applications for Windows, as well as desktop programs.
Note that after the Start 8 program is launched, a special window appears with which you can configure the settings and appearance of the Start menu. At the same time, you can call the specified function later if you want to change the parameters that were set earlier.
Play with style
The first thing we are asked to choose a program is a style. Pressing the Start button can launch a menu similar to that on Windows 7, or a start screen that distinguishes Windows 8 from other systems. As for the appearance of the button itself, it can be different, for example, stylized as a logo or a Windows flag.
In addition, the program has a whole range of different images for buttons that are familiar to users from previous versions of Windows - from "XP" to "7". After adjusting the appearance of the menu and buttons, go to the content. The program is able to display recently launched applications, as well as highlight installed programs.
Fill as desired
The user can configure the links that are in the right section of the menu, as well as determine which action will be assigned to the default shutdown button. The contents of the "Start" is not limited to desktop programs, you can pin Windows 8 applications to it as well. The search, which users of "7" are used to, uses the capabilities of the new operating system.
You can search all files, settings and applications. If you press the Win key in Windows 8, the start screen appears. The program "Start 8", if desired, will intercept this key so that during its pressing the "Start" opens. And the menu will open, even if you press the Win key, using the new Windows 8 interface.
Unique features
The G8 start menu can be opened by pressing the Start button while holding down the Ctrl key or using the right Win-key. If the appearance of "hot corners" bothers you, "Start 8" can easily turn them off. You can disable other external elements of the system.
There is also a transition to the desktop at boot without a start screen. "Start 8" deserves attention, although it is paid. The program is made very neatly and efficiently, the interface puts everything on the shelves. This solution costs $ 5.
Start Menu X
"Start Menu" is one of the most famous Start-up alternatives in Windows. The program offers seven options for designing the main button, among which there are even images of the heroes of Angry Birds. The menu differs from the classic one in Windows, but its advantage can be called the possibility of flexible settings.
You can change the size of labels and shortcuts, as well as add shortcuts to many commands to the first level of the menu, including sleep mode, reboot and shutdown. The program allows you to search for previously installed applications, folders and files. However, Windows 8 applications do not appear in the index.
An interesting feature of "Start Menu" is virtual groups. Their use will make available five groups ("Graphics", "Internet", as well as others), which will place the top of the menu.
Note that the program will independently organize the installed applications, but you can assign them to groups manually. You cannot create your own groups - this feature will be available only to those who wish to use the Pro version.
Classic shell
The program has a number of functions that are designed for users of a new version of the operating system. In the settings there is a special section, it was called “Windows 8”. Here you can enable the transition to the desktop at startup, as well as disable unnecessary "hot" corners. The design of the “Start” includes three options: Classic, Aero and Metro.
You can use any of the images of the appropriate size. The “Start” menu, as well as the Windows 8 start screen is called up by pressing “Win”, combining “Shift” and “Win”, clicking on the main menu (holding down the Shift key). The Start menu or the initial screen can appear while the cursor is in the button area.
The menu may become similar to the usual in Windows 7 or Windows XP. You can configure the display of special items on the right side: "Favorites", "Recent Documents", "My Computer".
You can add a command to turn off the computer. In addition, the search works fine. Using the search bar, you can find both installed desktop programs and Windows 8 applications and items from the control panel.
Win8StartButton
The “Start” button, which is provided for by this program, does not launch the familiar menu, however, it is associated with the “tiled” interface that appears at the moment of pressing. At the same time, the new menu has been redone so as not to fill the entire screen. A plus can be called the convenience of turning off the computer through shortcuts that are placed in the "Start".
Startmenu8
Outwardly, "StartMenu8" looks good, the icon fits perfectly into the Windows interface, and the menu is presented in the classic version, without any extra external effects. The program can turn off the "hot corners" of the screen individually and block the side panel. Thanks to the settings, you can set the skip of the innovative start screen in automatic mode.
"StartMenu8" responds to the "Win" key. The built-in search is performed on the items entered in the menu. At the same time, the button pattern can easily be changed to an alternative one, included in the program, or to a custom one. Instructions on designing the main button are available on the official forum pages.
So we figured out how to return the Start button in Windows 8.