Start Button Missing & understanding why

pcRat

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For everyone :cry: about missing 'Start Button' try this 3 minute exercise mouse & keyboard.
Sometimes it's easier to accept change when you understand how it works.
1. Go to 'Start Panel' (press Windows key once & press once again to return here)
2. Let's find 'Control Panel' by pressing the 'C' key (narrow results by typing more letters in spelling)
on the right edge of page & under the 'Search Box'
you'll see it opens with Search of Apps first:dinesh: now click on Settings:dinesh: now click on Files :dinesh:
try different letters.
I've been using 'Windows key+type letter(s) and click or Enter since Vista.No way do I miss that 'Start Button':party:
Screenshot (13).jpg
 

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FYI, you don't have to click on settings or files. You can tap the tab key once and then the down arrow key.
 

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Mystere- Thanks for the FYI but I knew that. I actually had that info in there but decided to just K.I.S.S. (Keep it simply simple)
 

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Mystere- Thanks for the FYI but I knew that. I actually had that info in there but decided to just K.I.S.S. (Keep it simply simple)

The reason I included it was because it's yet another point people complain about. "Why do I have to take my hands off the keyboard to click settings?". My point is that you don't have to, you can use the keyboard without ever touching a mouse.
 

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I don't like touching my keyboard. I like using my mouse.
 

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As pcRat says, this functionality has been available since Vista. I suppose Microsoft assumed that users have had long enough to get used to doing it that way and therefore nobody would miss the Start menu much...
 

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For that particular example, finding Control Panel, it's even easier and you never need to see a tiled UI: press <windows key+x>, <p> Voila!

Need Device Manager? <windows key+x>,<m>

There are tons of keyboard shortcuts for those of us who grew up without mice.
 

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Most of my friends that I help just do email, save pictures and songs but aren't fond of remembering shortcuts.
Once I get them to understand 8 Start panel, UI, Metro, Modern or whatever you prefer to call it; once I get them to understand it's an exploded All Programs with larger icons; my work is done. 3-5 minutes and they love it.

I don't remember where I got these from but here they are:
The first time you use Windows 8, you might feel a little lost with the new start screen, charms, and apps. The best way to learn how to get around the new Windows 8 design and settings may be to use the new keyboard shortcuts.
Charms

Win
+C: Open charms

Win+Q: Search charm

Win+H: Share charm

Win+K: Devices charm

Win+I: Settings charm
Search
Win+Q: Search apps

(tip: an even easier way to search apps is to just begin typing from the start screen)

Win+W: Search settings

Win+F: Search files
Windows 8 Apps
Win+Z: Get to app options

Win+.: Snap app to the left

Win+Shift+.: Snap app to the right

Ctrl+Tab: Cycle through app history

Alt+F4: Close an app

Desktop

Win+D: Open Desktop

Win+,: Peek at desktop

Win+B: Back to desktop

Other
Win+X: Open system utility settings menu

Win+PrntScrn: Take screenshot and save to Pictures

Win+Tab: Open switch list

Win+T: Preview open windows in taskbar

Win+U: Open Ease of Access Center

Ctrl+ESC: Start screen

Win+Enter: Open Windows Narrator
 

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Um, Windows 7 it's the same for getting to the Control Panel. If you want to use the keyboard.

Mouse is Start > Control Panel

As Windows fills up with apps, more and more apps use the word Control. (Camera Control) (Nvidia Control Panel).... Eventually you have to select from several apps that come up as you type c o n t.... As opposed to Start > Control Panel I find Windows 8 convoluted.

If you are novice or use something like a wacom it takes your attention away from your main pointing tool.

And with touch, wouldn't it have been easier to touch Start > Control Panel? Yes, I know you can add the Control Panel to your tiles but there is only so much room for stuff.

I dunno, I guess I just don't get the tiles screen.
 

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Just pressing C while on Start Panel will show tile for Control Panel and others that start with C. Not necessary to type full name.

If I want to open Wordpad on the start panel in unaltered 8▬ I press the w key and it's there
or navigate
If I install Classic Shell and revert back to start button▬ I'd click Start > All Programs > Accessories and finally it's there

For Windows Journal it just requires pressing j and it's there
or navigate
With Classic Shell and start button▬ I'd click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Tablet PC and finally it's there

Customizing the Start panel with tiles for frequently used programs is easy and saves time.
I have so many tiles on my start panel that I have to use the arrow keys <- -> or click a blank spot & scroll with mouse
 

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Last edited:

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Yeah.. what about us lazy schloms who are kicking back in our easy chairs, browsing with just a mouse. Show me how to get to my apps with ease, using just a mouse. Or, as much ease as I used to have with the start menu. Honestly, the entire point of this post is flawed. I installed classic shell and I have the best of both worlds. IT is the way Windows should have been shipped if the engineers who contributed to its design, had been at all concerned about reception, instead of just consumed with forcing their sheeple user base down their intended path. Baaahh.
 

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The only problem, is that classic shell is not as responsive as the native start menu would have been, and it lacks some of the features.. It has some features Regular start did not have, so in some ways, it is an improvement. Still, none of the replacements are quite as handy as having the native start menu back, but they are a crutch that makes the OS more amenable for the countless many who prefer it that way. I loaded it up on another friends laptop recently. I still have yet to meet anyone in person who is actually liking the changes. Even the guys at Fry's Electronics that I talked to, were a bit beside themselves. One of them knew about classic shell, and said that he mentioned it to most people he knew who were looking at purchasing a windows 8 machine. Half their selection is still Windows 7...
 

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I love the layout of the menu in Windows 7, but cannot find one for Windows 8 that is nearly identical. I've used classic start menu and is ok, but not the same.
 

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Show me how to get to my apps with ease, using just a mouse. Or, as much ease as I used to have with the start menu. .

move the mouse to the four corner of the screen,
mouse over lower left ,little start icon pops up right, click on to go almost anywhere the computer will allow you to go

i installed classic view yesterday and uninstalled it to-day don't need the classic view ,i rarley used the start button anyway ,put all the shortcuts i needo nthe desktop and one i use all the time on the toolbar. but hey ,that just me
enjoy win8 what ever way you want ,main thing enjoy it ,
 

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Have you tried ex7for 8.

That is the same start menu - and you get unified search back, instead of the ghastly aberration w8 has.


I love the layout of the menu in Windows 7, but cannot find one for Windows 8 that is nearly identical. I've used classic start menu and is ok, but not the same.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
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    PC/Desktop
With Classic shell, I still have a start button and a menu, but the way I have it configured, if I move my mouse all the way to the corner (which is the technique Microsoft wants us to get used to) then the start screen icon overlays and clicking it brings me to the start screen. I think this is the best way to use Windows 8. It blends the new with the old in a way that enables the most amount of function and choice. That of course, is just my opinion...
 

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musiclover7 - I don't have Classic Shell but I believe my setup will allow me to do whatever you want. No Start button, just a mouse.
I've added File Explorer, My Documents, Pictures, Videos, Program Files etc to Start Panel and shortcut to Desktop.
Have you tried built-in Windows Speech Recognition instead of mouse?

Screenshot (15r).png Screenshot (17r).jpg
 

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Have you tried ex7for 8.

That is the same start menu - and you get unified search back, instead of the ghastly aberration w8 has.


I love the layout of the menu in Windows 7, but cannot find one for Windows 8 that is nearly identical. I've used classic start menu and is ok, but not the same.
Start8 is a good rendition of the Win7 start menu as well.
 

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