Start Menu at Windows 8

4 Best Applications to Bring Back the 

Start Menu at Windows 8

If you miss the Start menu at Windows 8, there is a way to bring back it into Windows 8. There are dozens of replacement application which re-include the lost button.

After using the Start Menu for around 20 years, Microsoft decided to replace it with Windows 8 Metro Screen. Although the Windows 8 Metro screen is highly customizable, but absence of Start button often makes the user interface problematic. Despite the endless efforts of Microsoft experts to vanish the most used icon from Windows 8, many third-party apps are there in the market.

It seems that Microsoft also has realized the fact and decided to bring the Start menu back in Windows 8. We came to know from couple of sources (zdnet and NDTV) that their planning to push this back via the next Windows update aka Windows blue.

But if you don’t want to wait for the next update from Microsoft, you can give the following applications a try to bring back the start menu in Windows 8.

Classic Shell

Classic Shell is one of the trusted and commonly used Start menu replacement for Windows 8. It is free to use and includes skins mimicking the Windows 2000/98, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Vista. You just need to download it from here, install it on your system and you’re done. It is back in your Windows 8 system.

 

StartIsBack

The name itself speaks all about this program. This program brings the Start Menu back in your Windows 8 Startup screen. The tool looks exactly like the original Start menu we used to see in the earlier operating systems from Microsoft. This program is completely customizable and easy to use. The best part about StartIsBack is that you can also use the Metro Tile Screen of Windows 8 when you want; Classic Shell lacks this feature. The Icon of StartIsBack is also pretty similar to the Windows 7 and thus gives an absolute feel of ‘Start Up Menu’ in earlier Windows version. This program is not free, but is available for a very nominal fee of $3. You can first try the 30 days FREE trial offer of StartIsBack.

Start8

The next program in my list of Start Menu replacements for Windows 8 is Start8 from Startdock. It offers the button in two different tastes. Windows 8-style and Windows 7-style Start menu. Just like StartIsBack, Start8 also isn’t free. Wile there’s a 30-day free trial, you can buy it for $5 which is also quite nominal. Unlike Classic Shell and StartIsBack, the Start8 FREE trial asks for an activation code which is easily obtainable from its official webpage. It is very customizable, where you can even select the size and icon of the Start menu. Have a look at the screenshot below. The program has its own gallery of icons.

Start8

The next program in my list of Start Menu replacements for Windows 8 is Start8 from Startdock. It offers the button in two different tastes. Windows 8-style and Windows 7-style Start menu. Just like StartIsBack, Start8 also isn’t free. Wile there’s a 30-day free trial, you can buy it for $5 which is also quite nominal. Unlike Classic Shell and StartIsBack, the Start8 FREE trial asks for an activation code which is easily obtainable from its official webpage. It is very customizable, where you can even select the size and icon of the Start menu. Have a look at the screenshot below. The program has its own gallery of icons.

 

Pokki

Pokki is another free Start menu replacement for Windows 8 and replicates much to the Windows 7. Pokki has a clean and simple interface and gives comfortable start to the Windows 8 users. It is similar to Start8. With Pokki you can pin your favorite programs at the task bar.

  

Among these 4 Start Menu Replacements For Windows 8,StartIsBack is my personal favorite one. Which one do you like to use and spare a few minutes to tell why!

 http://www.classicshell.net/

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