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

 

[billbobagums]

it says the download size is 8.4 mb. do you know what other security programs i might have, and how to get to them,other then nortons. thanks

 

[Brink]

Bill,

Well, only you will know what programs you have installed.

If you have Norton installed, then check in it's settings to make sure it's not blocking the ClassicShellSetup_3_6_2.exe file, or add it to it's allow to run list.

 

[billbobagums]

ok i`ll try that, i found the windows firewall and turned it off and tried that, but it still didnt work. thanks

 

[Abe77957]

Its funny how people now miss and value it, once its gone.

 

[LittleJay]

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:

Thanks for the heads up on this one! I am going to give it a try.

 

[Baidukun]

Ex7 for W8 is good its true windows 7 start button with same functionality and it disables all the "modern" UI nonsense. but its easy to turn back to default windows 8 interface. Still I somehow feel like I'm cheating myself... why could not microsoft just leave start menu option even if its same thing that was in windows 7 not much work here.. and there was start menu in preview version but it was ripped out ..

I dont need menu that takes full screen i dont need software that can't be run in window mode.. full sceen = no multitasking.

 

[Brink]

Power8 and Start Button 8 (aka: Start Menu X) added to tutorial.

 

[gregrocker]

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:

Have tried all of the rest and this is an exact replica of Win7 Start, even had all my defaults loaded after installing using my 7 files off adjoining partition. But it is much faster than either 7 or 8 normally is, due to the 8 Metro features not being loaded into RAM.

IMO with this Start menu Win8 would be nearly perfect. Now I want my gadgets back! :thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[Baidukun]

I found software very similar to Ex7ForW8 (i think same author).. it brings start menu that feels like windows 7 and dont disable metro and other windows 8 features.. it is not free but you can get it very cheap 3USD for 2PCs
StartIsBack - real start menu in Windows 8

 

[Nick Wright]

I use Start8 from stardock as well. - O.K. you have to pay for it (after a free trial) but its very cheap, $4.99 or £3.00 in real money.
thats hardly breaking the bank and I like to support the developer.

someone said :-
"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."

Well - not exactly true, - I managed to rename menu items easily - properties ( under general tab for each item)
Also you CAN drag & drop sub menu items to the main menu`s.
the only thing I agree with is that you can`t send items to the desktop as shortcuts directly, but its easy to just open file location then copy shortcut or THEN drag & drop so thats no biggy either.

I also like the fact that its easy to configure to open windows to the desktop, disable the charms bar and hot corners and regain the look and function of windows 7.

Of course it is a matter of choice what you use, I just happen to like start8.

 

[LaurentZG]

Start8 is even better! I'm using it

Agree. Gives you the new native look and feel of Windows 8. Very well made I think. If one would like to one can also opt to have the Metro start screen to pop up as a menu instead. Cost $4.99, but I think it is worth it.

 

[Dark Rider]

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:

I had been using Classic Shell and telling everyone to use it. I just stumbled on this app, Ex7forW8 because I specifically searched Google for a way to disable the "metro" UI completely. I was so impressed I wanted to tell everyone here so I did a search and found this thread. LOL I absolutely love this because does exactly what it says, gives you back your start menu while keeping the metro UI from loading at all. It has no extra bloat you don't need like most of the other apps in the list in this thread. I'm even using it with Classic Shell to get the other missing features back in Explorer except for the start orb as Classic Shell doesn't disable metro.

I find it strange Brink didn't add this to the list of other apps that are not in the tutorial - it's the best solution for the job IMO. It is on the first page anyway, hopefully no one will over look trying it out.

 

[Hopachi]

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:

I had been using Classic Shell and telling everyone to use it. I just stumbled on this app, Ex7forW8 because I specifically searched Google for a way to disable the "metro" UI completely. I was so impressed I wanted to tell everyone here so I did a search and found this thread. LOL I absolutely love this because does exactly what it says, gives you back your start menu while keeping the metro UI from loading at all. It has no extra bloat you don't need like most of the other apps in the list in this thread. I'm even using it with Classic Shell to get the other missing features back in Explorer except for the start orb as Classic Shell doesn't disable metro.

I find it strange Brink didn't add this to the list of other apps that are not in the tutorial - it's the best solution for the job IMO. It is on the first page anyway, hopefully no one will over look trying it out.

Ex7forW8?

that one uses Win7 Explorer so it doesn't do the same thing the others do.
It's good it wasn't added to the list in the tutorial because it's more like a hack and not an installable program.

By the way I've tested it a while back. Not sure if they changed anything in the meantime but the used theme cannot be changed anymore after using Win7 explorer... AND I was stuck with high contrast.

It was mentioned somewhere on the forum, more than once.
Works but be careful when/how you use it, at you own risk.

 

[Brink]

Hello Dark Rider,

I didn't add Ex7forW8 since it's from an unknown source without their own source site. I don't post anything that could be security risk.

 

[MrShowdown]

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:

I had been using Classic Shell and telling everyone to use it. I just stumbled on this app, Ex7forW8 because I specifically searched Google for a way to disable the "metro" UI completely. I was so impressed I wanted to tell everyone here so I did a search and found this thread. LOL I absolutely love this because does exactly what it says, gives you back your start menu while keeping the metro UI from loading at all. It has no extra bloat you don't need like most of the other apps in the list in this thread. I'm even using it with Classic Shell to get the other missing features back in Explorer except for the start orb as Classic Shell doesn't disable metro.

I find it strange Brink didn't add this to the list of other apps that are not in the tutorial - it's the best solution for the job IMO. It is on the first page anyway, hopefully no one will over look trying it out.

Ex7forW8?

that one uses Win7 Explorer so it doesn't do the same thing the others do.
It's good it wasn't added to the list in the tutorial because it's more like a hack and not an installable program.

By the way I've tested it a while back. Not sure if they changed anything in the meantime but the used theme cannot be changed anymore after using Win7 explorer... AND I was stuck with high contrast.

It was mentioned somewhere on the forum, more than once.
Works but be careful when/how you use it, at you own risk.

Exactly.
Opening Personalize only shows you an error.

From what i see Ex7forW8 is from a neighbor forum.

 

[Dark Rider]

Thanks guys. I understand why it wasn't added - But.. I can change my themes just fine, no problem on any of them. I don't get any error messages at all. I'm running Windows 8 Core RTM 64 bit. I was able to switch themes while the using 7's Explorer. I uninstalled the program, logged out (it actually tells you to log out of your account) then back in, and had no trouble switching themes. I then rebooted and still didn't have any trouble switching themes. The latest release was in November of 2012. Perhaps it was a bug he fixed. Now, I'm happily gonna re-install it.

Perhaps folks can set a restore point before trying it just in case the Personalize error gets them or do a full backup before hand with something like Macrium Reflect.

This guy Tihiy has been around for a while making apps and releasing them since at least 2009. He has more tools here, so he is known to the Microsoft user community. Tihiy's tools - MSFN Forum Perhaps he just doesn't choose to have a full website. He is the developer of StartIsBack, the difference being that doesn't use any windows 7 code to work like his free version here. C-Net is carrying StartIsBack so the guy had to check out at least to C-Net. I think he saw he could make a good app people wanted then decided to do it proper so he could charge for it. It's only three US dollars for a 2 PC license.

 

[Ex_Brit]

When Even A Microsoft MVP Uses A Start Menu in 8 - There's Hope.

In this thread over at Microsoft Forums:

Is it possible to downgrade to Windows 7 from Windows 8 for free? - Microsoft Community

Mike Hall MVP says:

If you don't like the default Start Menu or the apps, try one of these..


Use an alternative start menu..
Free..
Welcome to Classic Shell

Costs $5 but is just like Windows 7..
Start8™ for Windows® 8 - Bringing back the Windows Start menu

They make a huge difference to usability, trust me. I use one myself and would be back with Windows 7 were it not for Start8. Now, I have the best of both worlds. I can still get stuff done, and can have a play with the 'other' side now and again..

Windows 8 Pro 64-bit - 880G chipset - AMD Phenom X4 965 - 8gb - Start8
Location - SWO Canada

Now I've heard it all, has Microsoft heard it though?

 

[MrShowdown]

When Even A Microsoft MVP Uses A Start Menu in 8 - There's Hope.

In this thread over at Microsoft Forums:

Is it possible to downgrade to Windows 7 from Windows 8 for free? - Microsoft Community

Mike Hall MVP says:

If you don't like the default Start Menu or the apps, try one of these..


Use an alternative start menu..
Free..
Welcome to Classic Shell

Costs $5 but is just like Windows 7..
Start8™ for Windows® 8 - Bringing back the Windows Start menu

They make a huge difference to usability, trust me. I use one myself and would be back with Windows 7 were it not for Start8. Now, I have the best of both worlds. I can still get stuff done, and can have a play with the 'other' side now and again..

Windows 8 Pro 64-bit - 880G chipset - AMD Phenom X4 965 - 8gb - Start8
Location - SWO Canada

Now I've heard it all, has Microsoft heard it though?

 

[gregrocker]

You don't need to pay anything. Use the excellent app Windows 7 Start Menu for Windows 8

It grafts on the Win7 Start menu using Win7 explorer, toggles off Metro until you want it again so that it doesn't load into RAM which makes WIn8 seem to run faster.

I reported this earlier in the thread, and am also an MVP supporting MS's only wildly successful OS with booming sales, writing this from 2013 Global MVP Summit in Seattle.

 

[Hopachi]

You don't need to pay anything. Use the excellent app Windows 7 Start Menu for Windows 8

It grafts on the Win7 Start menu using Win7 explorer, toggles off Metro until you want it again so that it doesn't load into RAM which makes WIn8 seem to run faster.

I reported this earlier in the thread, and am also an MVP supporting MS's only wildly successful OS with booming sales, writing this from 2013 Global MVP Summit in Seattle.

Didn't you run in some issues with that?
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8528-start-menu-restore-windows-8-a-4.html#post195961

Apart from what I've seen, all works well.