Windows 8, which is expected for final release on October 26th and one of the major change is the start screen. While many users accepted the new change, a majority of users were not happy with the implementation of it saying that it is suited only for touch screen tablets. In case you are not happy using the start screen on Windows 8, we had covered Start Menu X, a free app to get back the Windows 7 style start menu. Here is another freeware tool, Start8, which is now supported on Windows 8 RTM and will bring the exact start menu available in Windows 7 to Windows 8.
You can do all the options available in the classic start with this free tool. You can also launch and search metro style (modern UI) apps from the start menu.
You can change the start button to look like Windows 7 or even like Windows XP. You can easily access all the metro apps and also pin them to start menu.
Start8 Features;
Features:
- Adds a classic styled “Start” menu to the Windows 8 taskbar. Including support for: View and launch installed applications (including Metro/Modern), All Programs menu, quick links to commonly accessed folders (Documents, Music, Photos, Computer, and more).
- Adds searchable Start menu options for Windows desktop applications, Metro/Modern applications, and documents.
- Adds a “Start” button to the Windows 8 taskbar.
- Automatically load directly to your Windows desktop on login (vs the start screen).
- Pin favorite shortcuts directly to the start menu for easy access.
- Includes support for “jump lists”/recent documents for recently accessed programs.
- Quickly access Run… option via the start menu or right-click menu.
- Quickly access Shutdown… and power options via the start menu or right-click menu.
- Optionally disable Windows 8 desktop hotspots via right-click menu.
- Choose a custom “Start” button image.
- Automatically matches the color of your start menu to your taskbar.
- Supports WindowFX 5.1 startmenu animations (currently in beta)
- Optionally access Metro/Modern start screen in a configurable window without leaving the Explorer desktop. The new start menu also adds a shortcut to switch to the new Windows 8 menu.
- Adds control over Start menu size on Explorer desktop
- Adds option for WinKey to show fullscreen Metro desktop.
Overall, this is the perfect start menu replacement for Windows 8.
