Start Menu - Restore in Windows 8

How to Restore the Start Menu in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to restore the Start Menu for all users in Windows 8 and 8.1 using your choice of free programs.

   Tip

Here's a list of some free Start Menu replacements for Windows 8 that are not already in the tutorial below.

Classic Start 8:
Classic Start 8 | Free Classic Style Start Menu for Use with Windows® 8 | ClassicStart8.com

Handy Start Menu:
Handy Start Menu: Makes Working with Your Start Menu Easier

Pokki:
https://www.pokki.com/windows-8-start-menu

Spesoft Windows 8 Start Menu:
Free Windows 7 Start Menu for Windows 8

StartMenu8:
IObit StartMenu8 Free download, Bring Start Menu back to Windows 8

StartMenuPlus8:
StartMenuPlus8 Advanced Start Menu

StartW8:
Start Menu for Windows 8

Wentutu Start Menu for Windows 8:
Wentutu Start Menu for Windows 8

OPTION ONE

To Restore Start Menu in Windows 8 using "Classic Shell"

   Note

Classic Shell is a collection of features that were available in older versions of Windows but were later removed. It has a customizable Start menu and Start button for Windows 7 and Windows 8, it adds a toolbar for Windows Explorer and supports a variety of smaller features. Look here for the full list.

Classic Shell FAQs.

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1. Download and install Classic Shell.​

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2. When it's finished installing, click/tap on the Start orb (see step 4 below) to open settings for you to select what Start Menu Style you would like. (see screenshot below)​

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3. You can now set any other settings you would like to customize Classic Shell. Be sure to set Controls to the actions you want. Click/tap on OK when finished. (see screenshot below)​

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4. You will be able to open settings again by right clicking on the Start Menu button, or by what action you set in Controls. (see screenshot below)​

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OPTION TWO

To Restore Start Menu in Windows 8 using "Power8"

   Note

Power8 gives you a Start button that opens a Start Menu full of features. From the left pane, you can pin your favorite applications and access all your programs via the Programs menu. From the right pane, you can open specific folders, such as Computer, Libraries, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, and Network. You have a search box field at the bottom to search for any application, file, or other item on your PC.

Right clicking on the Power8's Start button, will open a context menu with several options. The Settings item lets you customize Power8 to how you like. You can set Power8 to auto start each time you sign in to Windows 8. You can also resize the button or change its image. You can block all "Metro" features, which means your mouse will no longer open the Start screen thumbnail or the Charms bar. If you block all "Metro" features, you will still be able to press the Windows key to get to the Start screen, or press Win+C to open the Charms bar.

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1. Download and install Power8.​

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OPTION THREE

To Restore Start Menu in Windows 8 using "Start Button 8"

   Note

The free Start Button 8 (aka: Start Menu X) program by Denys Nazarenko, Developer of Start Menu 7, adds a fully customizable Start button and Start Menu to your Windows 8.

Right clicking on Start Menu X's Start button or notification area icon, will open a context menu to allow to set and customize Start Button 8 how you like.

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1. Download and install Start Button 8 (aka: Start Menu X).​

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OPTION FOUR

To Restore Start Menu in Windows 8 using "Start Menu Reviver"

   Note

Don't just replace your Start Menu - revive it. Start Menu Reviver is designed for you, whether you just want a Start Menu back in Windows 8, or want to have more control in Windows 7. The unique tile structure in Start Menu Reviver means that it is the only Start Menu that is also truly touch-friendly. Start Menu Reviver accommodates up to 32 tiles so you can customize it for a truly personal experience. Choose which applications, documents, folders and more you want to launch directly from your Start Menu. You can also change the tile images using our ever-growing library of icons, or create your very own. Launch both traditional desktop programs and new Windows 8 modern applications directly from the Start Menu.

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1. Download and install Start Menu Reviver.​

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OPTION FIVE

To Restore Start Menu in Windows 8 using Stardock "Start8"

   Note

While Start8 by Stardock is not a free program, it is only $4.99. It is an excellent program if none of the free programs above did not meet your needs.

Start8 Start menu for Windows 8. Bring the Windows 8 Start menu back.

• Add the best Windows 8 start menu to your desktop
• Windows 7-styled start menu enhanced for Windows 8
• Pin Modern applications to the Windows 8 start menu
• Boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop

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1. To purchase/try, download, and install Start8.​

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NOTE: If you like, you could try Start8 for 30 days free before needing to purchase or uninstall it.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Create a Start Menu Toolbar on Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Have Start Screen Docked to your Desktop or Add a Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Download a Start Screen Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Open the Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[SIW2]

Hiya,


Worth adding Start Menu 7 free version - different look, but it is pretty good.

 

[gregrocker]

I like Vstart better than Classic Shell to get closest to the 7 Start Menu, but it's not customizable to get Menu choice on any of the listings, nor is Computer right-clickable to get to important Menu's quickly. Am I missing a setting other than Options? Trying Start Menu 7 now.

 

[SIW2]

Start menu 7 works well - loks very different, tho . Matter of taste.

Very easy to customise - just click the add or remove buttons and browse to what you want to add.

It starts out floating above the taskbar.

That is because it waiting for you to choose the sizes- then you drag the bottom edge down to the taskbar and it will stay there.

I think I prefer the look of Classic Shell - others may not.

Classic shell is very customisable - not terribly simple to do it tho.

 

[gregrocker]

I like the exact Win7 Start Menu replica look of VStart but cannot get beyond it not customizing for fold-out menus, so I tried SM7 and like it best mainly for that reason.

I figured out how to drag left border over flush to left, then right border over to size needed, no more. Only Win8 default needs an entire Desktop for the Start menu.

Thanks, Si.

 

[SIW2]

You're welcome.

I haven't looked at it in a while.

May give it go.

 

[Mustang]

If you want an exact replica of W7 Orb/Start Menu, with ALL the functions, click: Ex7ForW8.

It requres slightly more work, as you need the W7 Installation disk to load it; but it only takes a matter of seconds to extract Explorer 7 files.

Once loaded it has a toggle switch between Explorer8/Metro and Explorer7/Orb Start Menu.

In effect you're running either Explorer 7 or 8. When using Ex7 Metro is totally gone, on boot and after boot; but only a click away if you need to access it from the active GUI.

I'm using it on Enterprise 8, and after all available updates still runs seamless. And W8 on SSD SATA3 with I5 CPU absolutely flies. :thumb:

 

[v0id]

Start8 is even better! I'm using it

 

[Mustang]

Start8 is even better! I'm using it

IMHO it's not. First off you have to pay for it from Stardock. And more importantly it doesn't, (or didn't when I tried beta 9.0.4.0), do all the functions of the original W7 start menu. From memory you couldn't rename start menu items, move sub-menu items up to the main menu item by drag/drop, send to desktop as shortcut.

Ex7ForW8 downloaded here, is free and does it all exactly as per W7 Orb Start Menu. And while running it in Explorer 7 mode, Metro is totally gone. However, a simple toggle switch changes over to Explorer 8/Metro.

 

[v0id]

Start8 is even better! I'm using it

IMHO it's not. First off you have to pay for it from Stardock. And more importantly it doesn't, (or didn't when I tried beta 9.0.4.0), do all the functions of the original W7 start menu. From memory you couldn't rename start menu items, move sub-menu items up to the main menu item by drag/drop, send to desktop as shortcut.

Ex7ForW8 downloaded here, is free and does it all exactly as per W7 Orb Start Menu. And while running it in Explorer 7 mode, Metro is totally gone. However, a simple toggle switch changes over to Explorer 8/Metro.

I know it's payed app and i'm giving a try, so far i like and i think im gonna buy it!

 

[Kat]

I've tried a few different ones, but personally prefer Classic Shell.

I like the way it lets me have both the Start button and the Start Screen....

 

[Mustang]

I know it's payed app and i'm giving a try, so far i like and i think im gonna buy it!

Fair enough but have you actually tried Ex7ForW8?

 

[Mustang]

I've tried a few different ones, but personally prefer Classic Shell.

I like the way it lets me have both the Start button and the Start Screen....

Hi Kat, I agree that it's preferable to have both, but Ex7ForW8 does give you the option for either Explorer 7 with traditional W7 Orb start menu, or Explorer 8 with 'Metro'. The difference is you can't have both at the same time with Ex7ForW8.

To swtich from Ex7 to Ex8 you use a toggle switch which is equivalent to logging off Ex7 and logging back onto Ex8. But since I never use 'Metro' my preferred one is Ex7ForW8.

If you want both at the same time, then I'd agree Classic Shell or StarDock is the way to go. My only grievance with them is you have to pay for one of them; and neither fully replicate the W7 Orb Start Menu. Some of the features are missing. Only Ex7ForW8 is a true replica of W7 Start Menu.

Cheers M

 

[billbobagums]

i clicked on the link to download Classic Shell, but when i went to run it, it never would run. so i went to there site and downloaded
it from there, and i still couldnt get it to run. that was in firefox, so i tried in I.E. but it wouldnt run there either, it would download
but not run. anybody got any ideas as to what is wrong. thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Bill, and welcome to Eight Forums.

The link in the tutorial takes you to the site for Classic Shell. Was it the ClassicShellSetup_3_6_2.exe file that you download at their site?

Do you have any 3rd party security program installed that may be blocking it from running.

 

[billbobagums]

hi brink
well i turned nortons off and tried it from the link above, and it still didnt work.there may be something in windows to turn off
but i dont know what, or how to get to it. i usually don`t have any problems downloading any thing.

 

[Brink]

Click on the link in post above to see if you are able to download it.

 

[theog]

Hi Shawn

Download stops at 3611 kb

 

[billbobagums]

i did, it downloaded but it wont run.

 

[Brink]

@Ray,

Odd, it finishes downloading for me. You might try one of the mirror download sites to see if one may work better for you.

Select a mirror



@Bill,

Do you know if it finished downloading and is the full 8.38 MB in size?

If not, then that's why it's not running?

Do you have any security program that may be blocking it from running? If so, then you may need to set the progam to allow this program to run.