Using Windows without the old Start Menu...possible?

hi guys,

you all know i do not want the very old Start Menu in Windows 8.1

Installed Launch 8 from Stardock and suddenly i have the old Start Menu on the bottom.

I guess MS is trying to change the new Start Menu. Even in the APPS menu you get the Start Menu.

Maybe this is old news, then i apologise, but to me this is new.

This does not happen on every pc overhere, but certainly on 2 of the 4.

So right now, for me, the old Start Menu is no longer needed.

Jeff

Hi there

If you enable start in desktop from boot (w8.1) you shouldn´t get the W8 start menu. here's my desktop --act this stage I haven't activated any custom toolbars. I can't say about what these 3rd party programs do - I don't use any of them because I think in the long run they will be more trouble than they are worth. I've pinned a few apps to the desktop but that is perfectly standard windows (open file location and then right mouse click ==>send to desktop (create short cut) just as with earlier versions of windows. I've added one or two apps to the quick launch bar as well (taskbar).

The Windows menu at the bottom left is not the classic Windows menu - it's a short menu only. If you click it you will get the Tiles --right mouse click gives you another selection. I don't think you can get rid of the windows symbol - but it shouldn't be any matter of concern. I tend to avoid 3rd party progs like StartIsBack etc as they always cause grief in the long term.

Cheers
jimbo

Sounds to me like [DEL]Start[/DEL] Launch 8 did it. I'd look though its settings/options for a way to turn it off.

Alphanumeric,

i do not use Start8, only Stardock's Modernmix, Decor9 and Launch8.

Jimbo i would be very happy is only the Start Menu in Windows8 would show up, to not to be redirected to the old stuff


Jeff

jeffrys said:

Alphanumeric,

i do not use Start8, only Stardock's Modernmix, Decor9 and Launch8.

Jimbo i would be very happy is only the Start Menu in Windows8 would show up, to not to be redirected to the old stuff


Jeff

Click to expand...

Hi there

I think you can customise that -- you can set the start to either display "new tiles" or the apps as the first screen when you click it - it's in the navigation controls in the windows settings (W8.1 only).

cheers
jimbo

jeffrys said:

Alphanumeric,

i do not use Start8, only Stardock's Modernmix, Decor9 and Launch8.

Jimbo i would be very happy is only the Start Menu in Windows8 would show up, to not to be redirected to the old stuff


Jeff

Click to expand...

Ops, I meant to say Launch8.

Yes, I think Start8 is what's introducing the traditional Start Menu.

Brink has a slew of tutorials on the Start Screen here: Windows 8 Tutorials[1]=Taskbar%20Start%20Screen

Here's the search results using the customized search on the Tutorials page for Apps Screen: Windows 8 Forums - Search Results

The proper terminology is Start Screen and Apps Screen. Apps Screen is more similar to the traditional Start Menu, although not customizable and is full screen. The Start Screen is a customizable "personal information menu" at full screen whether for an individual or business. Of course we know this was brought to the "PC" from Windows phone, but with introduced Live Tiles. This is a tactic to introduce an OS to run on multiple devices that is familiar across multiple devices and to synchronize via Cloud services. This is becoming a realization as phones, phablets, and tablets become more powerful.

jimbo45 said:

jeffrys said:

Alphanumeric,

i do not use Start8, only Stardock's Modernmix, Decor9 and Launch8.

Jimbo i would be very happy is only the Start Menu in Windows8 would show up, to not to be redirected to the old stuff


Jeff

Click to expand...

Hi there

I think you can customise that -- you can set the start to either display "new tiles" or the apps as the first screen when you click it - it's in the navigation controls in the windows settings (W8.1 only).

cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

Yes Jimbo, but one cannot get rid of the old Start Menu, where one is Always redirected to.

Jeff

jeffrys said:

jimbo45 said:

jeffrys said:

Alphanumeric,

i do not use Start8, only Stardock's Modernmix, Decor9 and Launch8.

Jimbo i would be very happy is only the Start Menu in Windows8 would show up, to not to be redirected to the old stuff


Jeff

Click to expand...

Hi there

I think you can customise that -- you can set the start to either display "new tiles" or the apps as the first screen when you click it - it's in the navigation controls in the windows settings (W8.1 only).

cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

Yes Jimbo, but one cannot get rid of the old Start Menu, where one is Always redirected to.

Jeff

Click to expand...

Hi there

What "Old Start menu" -- there ISN'T one on Windows 8.1. !!! If you've found one (not a 3rd party app) please post a screen shot of what you mean.

If you want to search for a program from the desktop simply use the charms ==>search and type your search query in -- you don't have to leave the desktop so I haven't a clue about what "Old start" menu you are referring to.

Cheers
jimbo

well Jimbo,

the same as in Vista or Windows 7. The one you are redirected to when opening let's say Excel.

This has nothing to do with the Charms Bar.

It is the start menu or desktop menu, whatever, that you and others like very much.

I don't, sorry

Jeff

OK, now I'm even more confused? A screen shot would help?

ok, included a prtscrn of what i do not want:

Jeff

and the only one i want:

It's called the Task Bar, not the Start Menu. It's where the Start Menu or Start Screen is launched from. Since I don't use any of those third party utilities like Launch 8 I'll let those that do tell you what setting to check to do what you want.

well Alphanumeric,

yes, it is the Taskbar, but for me it is the old startmenu, since this is the first screen you normally see.

My bad

Jeff

It's no big deal, it just confused things is all. Well it did for me anyways. I sure somebody can help you sort it out now though.

The best you can do is to set Taskbar on Auto hide, Use small taskbar buttons, not use peek and don't show it on all displays.
Meh, I would be lost without Taskbar, how to find which programs are running minimized etc.

since this is the first screen you normally see

Click to expand...

hi Edwin,

included a PRTSCRN where you see how my Navigation is since using Windows 8.1, but whatever i check or uncheck.....does not change anything.

Taskbar always comes into play. No escape possible.

thanks

Jeff

It's moose's fault.

The taskbar is integral to Windows, at least all current versions of Windows anyway. You can't completely remove it with any native Windows settings. You can hide it temporarily but its not going to completely disappear. The picture showing what you want appears to be using some type of docking utility. I'd look in that programs settings for an option to hid the taskbar permenetly.