Start8 BETA for Windows 8 RTM Available now

I don't get why everybody using some 3rd party programs when you can get a real deal with not much hassle at all.
 

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Neither do I, but here sure has been a whole lot of B*7%hin going on because a "Change" has come to Windows. Personally...I like it, and will continue to work with it as it is, and configure it to work better for me. Other folks seem to resist change on a lot of different levels...that's why there is a dev like StarDock.
 

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I don't get why everybody using some 3rd party programs when you can get a real deal with not much hassle at all.
how exactly do you bring the legit menu back then?
 

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    Codegen....
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The old Start8 was horrible, but finally!
 

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Personally...I like it, and will continue to work with it as it is, and configure it to work better for me.
That's great. Some people love Ford vehicles, while others continue to drive Chevy's. This whole start button issue isn't necessarily a matter of people accepting change.
 

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I don't get why everybody using some 3rd party programs when you can get a real deal with not much hassle at all.
And have to use a 3rd party program to patch the win7 explorer, and don't forget what you loose by doing this:

Start Menu Issues
- MFU list populates only from Start menu shortcuts.

No Metro:
- Win+P doesn't show.
- Metro programs won't run.
- Autoplay popups won't show.
- "You have new program to handle this stuff" popups won't show. You need to use Default programs to change associations.
- Network icon popups don't show since Metro UI isn't started.
- You can't manage Wi-Fi networks. Use third-party program for that.
- You can't manage VPN/dialup connections. Run rasphone for that.
- You can't add new user. Run control userpasswords2 for that.
- You can't change user account picture.
- "Choose default program to open this file type" is still Metro UI and works.

No new explorer goodies:
- No default language input indicator. Enable language bar via Control Panel->Language->Advanced Settings->Use desktop language bar.
- No multi-monitor taskbars. Maybe more multimon issues.


Too much being lost/too many hoops for me...


 

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I am not against people wanting the start menu - just because I don't necessarily understand it doesn't make it wrong. However, the Start screen does have some good benefits over the start menu in a lot of areas, but having a start menu might be a good way to crutch people along and get them using the new Start screen and Windows 8 at their own pace until most apps migrate out of the desktop environment in a few years. Stardock does make good apps, and depending on price, this might be a good solution.

There are other options, too, that may or may not be acceptable to folks:
Welcome to Classic Shell
Windows 8 Start Button
 

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I don't look on it as for people who are loathe to change. I am constantly using the Start Button and Menu in Vista/Win 7 and even XP still for all kinds of reasons and to me it's a convenience. I think the MS boffin who said that nobody uses a Start button any more must have been living under a rock for the last few years.
It's also good for those of us who aren't too good at remembering keyboard shortcuts.
 

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    ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
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I don't get why everybody using some 3rd party programs when you can get a real deal with not much hassle at all.
And have to use a 3rd party program to patch the win7 explorer, and don't forget what you loose by doing this:


Too much being lost/too many hoops for me...


After beta5 which was released yesterday, I cannot really see what else could you miss
 

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    Intel HD1000
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    LG Flatron W2242T
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    Hard Drives
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    FSP 350W
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    Codegen....
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    Logitech Internet Keyboard 350
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    Logitech...
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    Not dial up
Classic Shell for me has more customization, overall greater number of features, customizable usability, skinning, Explorer and IE fixes it's already far ahead.
 
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I don't understand some people. The new Start menu is so cool! and much easier to navigate I find than previous OS'. Each to their own I suppose
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
It is not really about the start menu.

It is about MS deliberately removing code to try and prevent people from avoiding metro.

These 3rd party programs can offer some help navigating for advanced users, who don't want that full screen popping up and obscuring what they are doing - it is very inconvenient and unergonomic.

The problem is none of them are replacement shells ( hopefully, there will be some available as time goes on ).

Very difficult to get pe4 going properly. I had to use a different shell to get explorer functionality.

MS may try and prevent that in the next release

They only let you do what they want you to do.

It never used to be like that with Windows - that is why Windows was so great.
 

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    PC/Desktop
It never used to be like that with Windows - that is why Windows was so great.

No? Microsoft didn't lock down theming in Windows 7 that had millions up in arms? Especially the boot and login screen? Stardock released WindowBlinds for W7 plus free tools like Logon Studio etc. I believe Stardock is still a Microsoft Gold Partner. My guess is there will be a WindowBlinds for W8 eventually. Microsoft provided business for Stardock before, perhaps they are just maintaining that partnership.
 

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    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
It's very simple really, the whole Start screen vs menu debate. The Start screen is SIMPLIFIED, those who only need basic features will be happy. Does that mean they should expect all other users who needs the ADDITIONAL EXTRA menu functions which Start screen lacks to just adapt? NO! They are not afraid of change, they just don't want the added utility and features that the menu gave to be returned. Is that so hard to understand? Here's the how the menu was BETTER, not just DIFFERENT, it had MORE FEATURES. You are being ripped off FEATURES in the Start screen.
- No full-screen requirement, it doesn't disturb your workflow and gets out of the way quickly
- Had fastest access to shutdown commands
- Special folders 1 click away and expandable
- Expandable Recent documents
- Start Menu jump lists for pinning documents associated with that program
- Frequently used programs list
- Neatly organized All Programs list by folders
- Does not cover the Taskbar and the notification area
- Search results are in a single unified list of Programs, Files and Settings for easy up/down keyboard navigation but still neatly categorized, just press Enter to launch (Start screen separates search results unnecessarily into Apps, Settings and Files)
- Context menu options of our choice not present in Start screen. Whatever limited context menu actions Start Screen has are at the bottom of the screen which means more movement between the tile and the bottom actions
- No context menu options available at all for settings and files on the Start screen
- Launch multiple apps quickly by holding down Shift (Classic Start Menu of 9x and Classic Shell has this feature)
- Less items fit on the screen at a time due to the large size which means more scrolling unnecessarily for keyboard and mouse users
- The hot corner has poor discoverability

In addition, the Classic Shell Start Menu packs hundreds of little usability enhancements which the Start screen all lacks. It is a carefully refined menu with lots of features.


- Consumes very little memory.
- Every aspect of look and functionality is customizable
- Does not disable Metro if you want it
- Has support for skins, including additional 3rd party skins
- Free customizable Start button
- Completely, free and open source and has had a million+ downloads and counting.
 

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A start menu is much more efficient for use on a desktop - or workspace.

I am more concerned that MS is forcing this metro stuff on people.

Locked down tighter than the north end of a chicken heading south.

Astonishingly restrictive.
 

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    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
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    PC/Desktop
It's not really being forced.
You have "Skip Metro Suite" Classic Shell... Start8 and others... to be announced... lots of choice.
Delete every tile if you want to. Block the Store, Delete it! (not recommended to delete desktop tile)
There will be lots of bypassing stuff available. Probably more disablers. Use 7, XP , Linux, Apple, Vista, or 8, what force? Any policy wonk or systems analyst could make a go of it! Or not, ...

If the computer boots to the desk, and you have your ORB, what is being forced? The explorer is changed by the metro ? maybe, but I am sure the metro disabling community will be actively seeking all means to "hide it."

Skip Metro Suite :tip::orb: Start8 :orb: :tip: Classic Shell
 
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It's all about what you are used to. Win Start8, I can get all the benefits from Win8 without having to remember where the damn restart key is buried or how to pull up the run box...
 

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    16 GB of Corsair 1866
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I just purchased Stardock's Start8. It is still in Beta but has fleshed out nicely. For $4.99, it now has a complete configure menu and works fine. Recommended. buying the Beta version now provides me with the released version when it comes out. Only thing that I miss is being able to pin stuff to the menu... everything else is there, including Metro


2012-09-27_162152 Start8 configure.jpg2012-09-27_162749 Start8.jpg
 

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    16 GB of Corsair 1866
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    GTX 780
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    Cooler Master Storm Headphones
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    Dell 27 inch U2711 IPS
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    2560 by 1440
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    Samsung 840 Pro 250GB SSD plus 2 3 TB drives
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    Corsair-750
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    Corsair White Graphite Series 600T
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    Corsair H00i Water
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    Corsair K90
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    Logitech G9 Laser
    Internet Speed
    6.3 MBps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS
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