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Biggest problem for me with win8 is the lack of start menu. There is a reason start menu is so popular. it lets user launch an application without having to con

Biggest problem for me with win8 is the lack of start menu. There is a reason start menu is so popular. it lets user launch an application without having to context switch - example: launch a calculator or notepad while doing something else. The new start screen forces user to context switch by showing a completely different view just to launch an application. Who ever designed this must be a big fan of UAC screen which forces a similar switch when set to prompt.

rhplus 14y ago
Has anyone tried the Start Menu replacement from Stardock [1]? I don't have Windows 8, but this is such a frequent complaint and I'm wondering if their version will be a good enough fix. (I have no affliation with Stardock) [1] http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/features.asp http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/features.asp
- vondur 14y ago
  I purchased it. Once you install it, you wont see Metro apps at all unless you launch them on purpose. You can also get Classic Shell, which is an open source start menu repalcement. http://classicshell.sourceforge.net http://classicshell.sourceforge.net
- w1ntermute 14y ago
  Just tried it out, seems like it works fine. It brings back all the Windows 7 start menu functionality.
- Aeons 14y ago
  I have tried it and also Classic Shell which is mentioned in another comment. Both work pretty well, however I prefer Classic Shell due to better configurability. Not sure if Start8 has been updated since I tried it though.
mertd 14y ago
For notepad and calculator, you can do Win+r then "notepad" or "calc". For applications not the path, I find the metro experience is essentially the same as having a start menu. Hit Windows, type application name, find it from the search results and hit enter.
w1ntermute 14y ago
You could always use AutoHotkey to set up shortcuts for launching different apps. There's a great Lifehacker howto post on the subject I'd link you to, but their regular site's down right now thanks to Sandy.

rhplus 14y ago

Has anyone tried the Start Menu replacement from Stardock [1]? I don't have Windows 8, but this is such a frequent complaint and I'm wondering if their version will be a good enough fix. (I have no affliation with Stardock) [1] http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/features.asp http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/features.asp

vondur 14y ago
I purchased it. Once you install it, you wont see Metro apps at all unless you launch them on purpose. You can also get Classic Shell, which is an open source start menu repalcement. http://classicshell.sourceforge.net http://classicshell.sourceforge.net
w1ntermute 14y ago
Just tried it out, seems like it works fine. It brings back all the Windows 7 start menu functionality.
Aeons 14y ago
I have tried it and also Classic Shell which is mentioned in another comment. Both work pretty well, however I prefer Classic Shell due to better configurability. Not sure if Start8 has been updated since I tried it though.

mertd 14y ago

For notepad and calculator, you can do Win+r then "notepad" or "calc". For applications not the path, I find the metro experience is essentially the same as having a start menu. Hit Windows, type application name, find it from the search results and hit enter.

w1ntermute 14y ago

You could always use AutoHotkey to set up shortcuts for launching different apps. There's a great Lifehacker howto post on the subject I'd link you to, but their regular site's down right now thanks to Sandy.