Windows 8 Start Menu - Open it at half the size?

ReversePolaris

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One of the biggest complaints about the Windows 8 start menu/screen, is the fact that it takes up the whole screen, unnecessarily blocking everything a desktop user is currently working on.

I've been playing around with Windows 8.1 Preview, and am getting used to snapping the start screen to the left side, like you can with metro apps, using Win+Arrow.
Because Windows 8 treats the Desktop like an app, it can be displayed on the right half of the screen, while the start menu is snapped to the left half of the screen.

So I'm just wondering whether there's a way to force the start screen to always open at half the fullscreen size? In other words, always snapped to the size.

This would be a great way to meet the fullscreen-start-menu-haters half-way.
 

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One of the biggest complaints about the Windows 8 start menu/screen, is the fact that it takes up the whole screen, unnecessarily blocking everything a desktop user is currently working on.

I hear this a lot, but I really fail to understand what the issue is. The start screen is only open when you're trying to open another app. This is not a "multitasking" task, you just do it, and it takes seconds.. The start screen then goes away and you are right back where you were. What is the problem with this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
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    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
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    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
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    Logitech MX
By your own logic, why is the start screen not small like it was in Windows 7?
If it's only used to open another app...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7-930
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7
    Memory
    Corsair 16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radion HD 6950
    Sound Card
    Realtek - Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x Dell 2412M IPS, 2x Samsung 2443BW
    Screen Resolution
    5760x1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force Series 3 120GB, WD Re4 2TB, WD Green 3TB
    PSU
    Enermax 1250W Revolution85+
    Case
    Cooler Master 690 II Advanced
    Cooling
    Corsair H50
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Razer Lachesis
    Internet Speed
    9.4 Mbps Download, 0.85 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    MSE

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My Computer

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    Two other machines Toshiba L550 Sat i5 CPU running 8GB RAM and Windows 8 Pro 64bit OS.
    Toshiba A200Celeron 4GB Win7 64bit
They have two modes for the dash in ubuntu. Desktop/tablet. One of the reasons why it is better/less bad than MS attempt.
 

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  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
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    PC/Desktop
Bit OT but that is interesting SIW cos I happen to quite like Ubuntu too I might just try that on a spare spinner in the spare laptop.:geek:
 

My Computer

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    8 Pro desk 1 (SB) 7 Home desk 2 (IB) 8 Pro Lap 1
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    Own build X 2 Desk X 1 Lap X 2
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    i5 2500 & i5 3570K
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    Gigabyte GA_H67UD3H-B3 & Asus P8Z77-V
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    8GB (1333) 8GB 2400 set 1866
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    Xonar DG X 2
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    Philips 24" (SB) Benq 24" (IB)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 X 2 830 X 1
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    Corsair HX 650 & HX 1050
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    Coolermaster Centurion 2 & HAF XM
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    Air (SB) LC (IB)
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    Two other machines Toshiba L550 Sat i5 CPU running 8GB RAM and Windows 8 Pro 64bit OS.
    Toshiba A200Celeron 4GB Win7 64bit
With Stardocks Start8 you can set the start screen to open at a smaller scale by choosing the Windows 8 style menu instead of windows 7 style. You can set different sizes, tall wide or small... if my memory is correct!
This keeps the metro start screen but on a smaller scale...

adu9ajys.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7
I hear this a lot, but I really fail to understand what the issue is. The start screen is only open when you're trying to open another app. This is not a "multitasking" task, you just do it, and it takes seconds.. The start screen then goes away and you are right back where you were. What is the problem with this?
Annoyance is the issue. I find it just visually jarring, since these environments (classic desktop and new UI) are so very different. I would just rather continue to be able to see my classic desktop and keep an eye on running scripts in a terminal window while I am out perusing other software options to launch. I realize some might want it the other way, but what I want more than anything is simply a choice. And they don't really provide me a native choice. That's what bothers me the most.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
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    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
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    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
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    15/2 cable modem
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Visually jarring... How on earth do you handle switching between different applications that have different user interfaces then? I feel so bad for you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Visually jarring... How on earth do you handle switching between different applications that have different user interfaces then? I feel so bad for you.

You know that different looking apps are not as different, nor do they bother me that much.

No need to feel bad for me, but you asked what the big deal was and I explained my opinion.

Obviously, I am not out in left field on this. Seems tons of people want the menu and not the screen. I'm sorry my answers don't satisfy you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I was being sarcastic. My point is that many UI's are very different from each other. In fact, the start menu itself is "visually jarring" because it's UI is unlike any app you're currently using. You're just used to it. Just as you would become used to the Start Page UI if you actually used it for any length of time.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX

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  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
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    Me
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    Noctua NH-D14
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    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
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    60meg cable
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    Cyberfox
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    AVG Security Suite
Try this it is what I am running and I like it IObit Start Menu 8 Free download, Bring Start Menu back to Windows 8

Oops forgot to mention you need to hit Win+X then desktop at the bottom to get to this FULL screen once in it stays there if it pops out WIN+X again > desktop etc etc

I installed some iobit stuff once... never again. Outright garbage.

Same here, iorbit software is terrible! I used some years ago and actually paid for the privilege. Most of the time it never did anything, and when it did it would cause more problems than it was supposed to apparently fix. I'd never recommend their stuff to anyone, and if I see it on someone's machine, I tell them to get rid of it immediately.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7
Yes well I just prefer something to just use and not go hunting through the "panels".

As someone said just now the speed is great some of the programs and apps I use in 7 will not run in 8 but most of that is down to IE10. The most irritating thing is using Youtube as the download speed is somehow slower and "bitty" which it isn't in 7.

My desktop well it will not upload mine for some reason but it is the same as the 7 one:rolleyes:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8 Pro desk 1 (SB) 7 Home desk 2 (IB) 8 Pro Lap 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Own build X 2 Desk X 1 Lap X 2
    CPU
    i5 2500 & i5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA_H67UD3H-B3 & Asus P8Z77-V
    Memory
    8GB (1333) 8GB 2400 set 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GTX 650 X 2
    Sound Card
    Xonar DG X 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 24" (SB) Benq 24" (IB)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 X 2 830 X 1
    PSU
    Corsair HX 650 & HX 1050
    Case
    Coolermaster Centurion 2 & HAF XM
    Cooling
    Air (SB) LC (IB)
    Keyboard
    M6980X X 2 (laser)M$ Sidewinder X4 & Sidewinder X6 (IB)
    Mouse
    Gigabyte M6980 X X 2 (laser)
    Internet Speed
    ADSL2
    Browser
    Google
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky ISS
    Other Info
    Two other machines Toshiba L550 Sat i5 CPU running 8GB RAM and Windows 8 Pro 64bit OS.
    Toshiba A200Celeron 4GB Win7 64bit
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