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

 

[davehc]

regretfully, I am finding threads on the subject of a start menu, are becoming distinctively boring. I customised the modern to my liking, and am getting more used to it. But to avoid the problem of continual switching between desktops, I do have installed, "Startisback"
StartIsBack - real start menu in Windows 8

The beauty of this one is it is precisely the same as the Windows 7 start menu, bypasses the Modern screen (as a customised option) with a huge amount of customising options. If I understand post #6 correctly, there are some extra requiements needed for "ex7forW8",. None for Startisback, other than doityourself customising.

 

[Baidukun]

regretfully, I am finding threads on the subject of a start menu, are becoming distinctively boring. I customised the modern to my liking, and am getting more used to it. But to avoid the problem of continual switching between desktops, I do have installed, "Startisback"
StartIsBack - real start menu in Windows 8

The beauty of this one is it is precisely the same as the Windows 7 start menu, bypasses the Modern screen (as a customised option) with a huge amount of customising options. If I understand post #6 correctly, there are some extra requiements needed for "ex7forW8",. None for Startisback, other than doityourself customising.

Start is back created by same person as ex7forW8
it offers same functionality as ex7forW8 (start menu that can do same things as windows 7 start menu and more with updates)
start is back isn't free but cheaper than for example start 8 by stardock 2PCs version is 3USD. (start8 is 4.99USD)
start is back different from ex7forW8 because it does not disable metro ui only hides it you can boot directly to desktop disable all or some hot corners.. transform start screen to apps screen with only modern ui apps in it.

 

[gregrocker]

THis is also replica Win7 Start menu which toggles off Metro, also free. Is it the same? Windows 7 Start Menu for Windows 8

Have read that MS is removing the code needed to have any type of Start Menu. True?

 

[SIW2]

MS has removed their own start menu code.

Start menu replacements in future will need to be self sufficient.

The one you linked will not work.

 

[gregrocker]

How will it stop working on PC's where it is already installed? Default to Metro Start Screen with other bad effects?

 

[SIW2]

Ask Tihiy, he wrote it.

He might be making a completely different paid start menu.

 

[Dark Rider]

THis is also replica Win7 Start menu which toggles off Metro, also free. Is it the same? Windows 7 Start Menu for Windows 8

Have read that MS is removing the code needed to have any type of Start Menu. True?

That's the same as the one Mustang posted about on the first page. (and the solution I prefer to use the best)

MS may remove the code that makes this possible in future versions of windows but it will always work on normal versions of Windows 8. I can't see them using an update that will disable this already used popular feature. Too many people use this and other start menu variants. That would be the worst thing MS can do. They would majorly screw themselves if they did that and force thousands of people the nightmare of backing up their data and going back to Windows 7. All for what.. just to force people to use the Metro UI when the operating system is not functionally dependent on it in the first place - that's silly. It's simply a front end GUI.

Heck, MS is Lucky that someone hasn't made an app that completely overwrites the entire windows managment system and replaces it with something totally Non Windows like - such as the windows managers you have with other popular operating systems, KDE, XFCE, LXDE, Gnone, etc. These windows managers offer different styles and features that enhance a user experience for speed and performance in the systems that use them. Microsoft should learn from this and offer the user more choices over the windows management system so customers can streamline their experience to suit their needs. It's sad MS is stuck in the dark ages.

 

[aar407]

What about waiting until Windows 8.1 is out and you wont need to worry about the start button

 

[Ex_Brit]

Except by all accounts that button is going to be hidden unless hovered over and doesn't bring back the old style Start Menu. I'll stick with Stardock's Start8, thanks.

 

[Brink]

Tutorial updated with OPTION FOUR for Start Menu Reviver.

 

[ICit2lol]

Shawn have just upgraded my Sandy Bridge but and installed Classic Shell but have no start orb anywhere on the taskbar.

It saved all my settings except this one small problem any remedies please??

 

[Brink]

Hello John,

Run the "C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\Start Menu Settings" shortcut below to open the settings for Classic Start Menu.

Next, click on the Start Button tab, see if Enable Start Button (Windows 8) or Replace Start Button (Windows 8.1) is checked, and click on OK.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[ICit2lol]

Ok mate will give that a go if worse comes to the worst then I will get the Stardock8 like the laptop.

 

[ICit2lol]

Ok Shawn all done though I can only get the XP Start or the shell for the start button but although would have liked to orb it is something eh.

The really good news is the 8 has knocked 14 secs off the boot time now 25 secs compared to 40 secs in 7 the shut down is almost instaneous so just a tad slower on boot v the laptop. Going from app tp app is very quick too

 

[Brink]

No worries John. In the same Start Button tab, you can select (dot) to use a Custom Button, then select the PNG image you want for it.

 

[ICit2lol]

Thanks Shawn you are a life saver as always

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome mate.

 

[ICit2lol]

Hmm Shawn got a bit lost in there mate I might just leave it as is and maybe get the Stardock

 

[Brink]

Here's a screenshot to help. After you select (dot) Custom Button under "Button Look", you would click on Button Image and it's browse button at the end. From there you would select a .bmp or .png image you want for the Start button.

You will have to play with trying different images and sizes of the image until you find one that works best though. I would recommend a 32x32 pixel image.

 

[ICit2lol]

Yes mate tried a dozen times now and the orb images are all ridiculous skulls and psychedelic nonsense from that link - I have tried downloading the orb images but some work some don't download .

Bit disappointing but well if I have to stick with the scallop shell I'll have to:huh: