Start8 BETA for Windows 8 RTM Available now

[PCmannen]

I just got it for $3.99 using this 20% off coupon - WK4-MYLR-QLXP-BOOW

 

[Dwarf]

So did I.

 

[johnpombrio]

Ah, but that extra dollar adds the secret "super mode" that does so much more!

 

[pparks1]

It's not really being forced.
You have "Skip Metro Suite" Classic Shell... Start8 and others... to be announced... lots of choice.

None of which are provided by Microsoft. They aren't providing any choice.

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

And I don't understand the benefits or advantages of this new start menu. I don't find it cool, I find it cumbersome, annoying, and suitable for a tablet/smartphone and not my desktop/laptop computer. You say it's cool, I say it's crap. Like you said, to each their own.

 

[gizbug]

I just got it for $3.99 using this 20% off coupon - WK4-MYLR-QLXP-BOOW

View attachment 9074

Code no longer works =(

 

[johnpombrio]

This is good for a couple of days...
WK4-KVJE-GMPB-SFLE 20% off all products

 

[vsaelen]

It works Great!!! Thanks!

 

[Hopachi]

I'm not gonna use this stuff:
First beta it's free, you let the people get used to it. If they like it and become dependent to it then it's time to charge for it. It's just a couple of bucks but ... please, it's just a start menu and the computer works without it.
You have Classic Shell for free.

Every man for himself. Use it if it gets the job done.

 

[johnpombrio]

I'm not gonna use this stuff:
First beta it's free, you let the people get used to it. If they like it and become dependent to it then it's time to charge for it. It's just a couple of bucks but ... please, it's just a start menu and the computer works without it.
You have Classic Shell for free.

Every man for himself. Use it if it gets the job done.

Cripes, $5 is a steal. Think of it as an app. It adds a LOT to Win8: Custom start menu AND disable Metro on boot AND disable Edge UI AND custom Start Menu shortcuts AND Custom button icon AND more!

I expect good things from Stardock and this is a winner. I am hoping for a good Desktop "Windows Blinds" for Win8 from them too so I will keep a close eye on them.

 

[Hopachi]

I'm not gonna use this stuff:
First beta it's free, you let the people get used to it. If they like it and become dependent to it then it's time to charge for it. It's just a couple of bucks but ... please, it's just a start menu and the computer works without it.
You have Classic Shell for free.

Every man for himself. Use it if it gets the job done.

Cripes, $5 is a steal. Think of it as an app. It adds a LOT to Win8: Custom start menu AND disable Metro on boot AND disable Edge UI AND custom Start Menu shortcuts AND Custom button icon AND more!

I expect good things from Stardock and this is a winner. I am hoping for a good Desktop "Windows Blinds" for Win8 from them too so I will keep a close eye on them.

I'm glad for you John.

I think I'll get it when I have $5. But meanwhile, Classic Shell + Skip Metro Suite does the same for $0.
It's true, Stardock made improvements, it looks good. You don't need to take my pessimism seriously for an app.

 

[R0bR]

None of which are provided by Microsoft. They aren't providing any choice.

It's not the first time Microsoft has not provided choice and 3rd parties had to fill the void.

 

[recycleme8]

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...

Agreed. I thought start8 is a great utility. I hated the look of classic shell, all I wanted was a W7 style start menu, for $4.50, it's a bargain.

 

[RGadelha]

It's not in beta anymore, get the final version of Start8, from Stardock.
I'm using it right now and it's doing good on my system, very configurable.

 

[Hopachi]

It's not in beta anymore, get the final version of Start8, from Stardock.
I'm using it right now and it's doing good on my system, very configurable.

Thanks for the good news!
So far the trial works well.

 

[johnpombrio]

It's not in beta anymore, get the final version of Start8, from Stardock.
I'm using it right now and it's doing good on my system, very configurable.

Thanks for the good news!
So far the trial works well.

The trial is turned off so it may disappear on you or keep nagging about updates.

Hopefully we will start to see final drivers for Win8 for most things getting released also.

 

[RGadelha]

It's not in beta anymore, get the final version of Start8, from Stardock.
I'm using it right now and it's doing good on my system, very configurable.

Thanks for the good news!
So far the trial works well.

The trial is turned off so it may disappear on you or keep nagging about updates.

Hopefully we will start to see final drivers for Win8 for most things getting released also.

Well, I'm an Object Desktop subscriber and Start8 got included on the subscription. Lucky me
But I think the price's right.

Did anybody notice that the system takes a little more time to boot?