Standard Windows 8 start button
When developing Windows 8, Microsoft relied on gesture controls and the new Metro user interface. Neither one nor the other was to the taste of users. In Windows 8.1, the Start button returned, but with changed behavior and no start menu. The interface has become clearer, but many users still prefer the classics. How to replace the Start button on Windows 8 to return the system to its usual appearance, you will learn from this material.
It is impossible to return the full start menu using standard means. Microsoft didn't give us that option. However, you can configure its semblance, which allows you to do without switching to the “tiled” interface.
- We use the ability to create a new toolbar, present in all versions of Windows. Click on an icon-free area of the existing taskbar to bring up the context menu. Go as shown in the screenshot and select the “Create” option.
- In the text field, type “shell:Common Programs”. Click the “Select folder” button.
- A new “Programs” area will appear on the taskbar.
- By clicking on the double arrow, we can display the list shown in the screenshot. It includes user-installed operating system programs and utilities.
- To disable the created panel and remove the control area, you must again access the context menu. An additional item will appear in it, marked with a checkmark. By removing it, we will make the panel that is no longer needed disappear.
This solution cannot be called a full replacement for the Start button, but it does provide quick access to installed programs.
Programs for changing the interface
The lack of ability in the operating system to change anything using standard means encourages developers of third-party software. In the case of Windows 8, this concerns the return of the classic Start button. There are quite a lot of programs that allow you to perform this operation, so we have selected only those worthy of attention.
Pokki
Developers have several approaches to changing the OS interface. Some are trying to completely replace the existing menu, while others are trying to add additional functionality to the system.
- After installation, Pokki suggests placing another button next to the system button, which is responsible for calling up the program menu.
- The program's settings are quite flexible. You can change the color scheme, specify your preferred folders for the navigation area, and choose the appearance of the icon.
- Stars next to applications allow you to mark them as favorites. As a result, the icon is copied to the main page, providing quick access.
- By default, only the icon of your own application store is placed on the Favorites page.
- Various popular applications and games are available for quick installation from the PC Store.
The application is developed by IoBit, whose main product is Advanced SystemCare.
- The program is shareware with a one-month trial period, as indicated by the activation button in the settings field. During installation, users are prompted to select an icon to display. The standard one should disappear and change to the one selected from the set.
- On the Style tab, you can choose the appearance. Enable the Start menu as in Windows 7 or customize the Modern UI to your liking. Transparency adjustment is carried out over a wide range. If desired, the main window can be made transparent so that the desktop is visible.
- The remaining settings tabs allow you to detail the appearance, customizing it to the user's needs.
- The Modern UI block contains the parameters of the “tiled” interface. You can disable hot corners and the miracle bar to make the appearance more reminiscent of the classic versions of the OS.
- As a result, the Windows 8 Start button will work in a different mode. The control area takes on an almost standard form for previous editions.
- The right mouse button, which allowed you to call up the Power User area, opens the Start Menu settings. To go to system management, you must press the hot keys Win + X.
- The user will be reminded by an always active red button that they need to decide on a purchase and receive a license code within a month. You can remove the program to restore system defaults by using the marked item.
Settings documentation is available as web help in English. This is not a problem, since everything is presented in the form of detailed instructions.
Classic Shell
The latest program is completely free. Classic Shell has the richest settings and is completely localized for Russian-speaking users.
- At the initial stage, the user can select the components that he wants to install in the system.
- Once the installation is complete, full Russian help for all program parameters opens.
- By checking the box indicated by the frame, the user opens the full settings menu. Here you can change everything, from the appearance to the voice acting of events. The shell allows you to add additional custom sounds to the basic scheme used by Windows.
- A separate tab is responsible for settings for interaction with Metro “live tiles”. Hot corners can be made to disappear completely or left only on the start screen.
- Classic Shell allows you to make the main system menu perfectly similar to Windows 7 and at the same time use system colors that match the selected window design.
The program's flexibility is appreciated not only by users. In Parallels Desktop, developers offer to install it immediately when setting up a virtual machine with Windows 8. You can find and download Classic Shell using the link provided. Unfortunately, the creator of the shell announced in December that he was stopping work on the project. The source code is freely available and can be used under a free license.
Finally
As you can see, the task is quite within the capabilities of any user. Software interface settings allow you to use Windows 8 as a more modern system than the “seven”, and at the same time be in a familiar environment with a classic control menu.
Video instruction
In the videos below you can clearly see how to install programs to replace the Start button.
With the release of the Windows 8 operating system, many users wondered how to return the familiar Start button. Microsoft, of course, did a great job, and, without a doubt, keeps up with the times: Metro's tiled interface looks beautiful and is convenient for tablets and any other touch screen devices. But users of computers and laptops are much more accustomed to clicking on the Start menu than searching for the desired tile through the Metro interface.
Today, there are a sufficient number of different programs with which you can return the familiar Start menu to Windows 8: Start8, Power8, Vistart, Start Menu X, Classic Shell and others.
In the article I will dwell in detail on Start8 and Classic Shell, they, in my opinion, are the most convenient.
Start8 program
Start8 will easily return the familiar button to its place, and it will look exactly the same as in Windows 7. The program has enough settings, so you will be able to customize the Start menu to your liking. The only thing is that the program is paid, you will have to pay about $5. A trial period of use is provided for 30 days.
Installation
Run the installation file and accept the terms of the license agreement.
The application will be installed in the following folder on your computer, click “Next”.
In the next window, you can immediately buy the program or install a trial version. I chose the second option, so I clicked the “Start 30 Day Trial” button.
In the "Email" field, enter your email address and click "Continue".
The following letter will be sent to you by email. Here click on the button “Activate 30-Day Trial”.
A page will open in the browser indicating that registration was successful.
Now return to the program installation wizard and click “Continue”.
A window will appear indicating that the utility has been successfully activated. Click Finish.
How to setup
After installing Start8, the familiar button will appear in the lower left corner, and the program settings window will open.
On the “Style” tab, you can choose to make the menu completely identical to Start from Windows 7, turn on its transparency and select an icon for the button.
On the “Customize” tab, you can select the type of icons in the menu, enable displaying a list of recently used applications, opening a submenu when you hover the mouse cursor, highlighting recently installed applications, and displaying an avatar. Below you can choose which shortcuts will be displayed on the right side of Start. They can be displayed as a link, as a menu, or not displayed at all.
On the "Control" tab, you can configure what exactly should be done when you press a button on the keyboard.
From the Desktop tab, you can enable/disable the Start button on the taskbar and configure new Windows 8 features.
On the “About” tab, you can disable automatic checking for updates and buy Start8.
Classic Shell program
Classic Shell is a free program that will allow you to return the classic Start button, or the one that was in Windows XP or 7. In addition, the program can add some familiar operations to the Explorer toolbar, enable the display of a status bar at the bottom of the Explorer window and install as add-on for Internet Explorer.
Installation
You can download Classic Shell for free from our website in the Programs section by following the link. Run the installation file and click Next.
Accept the terms of the license agreement.
Click "Install".
Settings
After the installation of the program is completed, the Windows 8 Start button will appear on the taskbar automatically. To go to its settings, select "Classic Start Menu Options".
On the first tab, mark the desired one with a marker "Start Menu Style".
On the tab "Main parameters" You can select actions that will be performed upon certain keystrokes and mouse clicks.
The Skin tab allows you to choose a skin for your menu and configure various settings.
On the tab "Menu settings..." You can choose which commands appear on the right side of the menu.
The Start menu is an important control element of your PC. Without it, it is difficult for the user to perform any actions. It is missing in Windows 8, which has caused a lot of disappointment among users. The developers brought it back in Windows 8.1. However, this did not solve the problem, since when the button is clicked, the system redirects the user to the home page with metro tiles.
To install the standard Windows menu, there is the “Classic Shell” program. The principle of its operation is quite simple. Let's consider it in practice.
Installing a new Windows 8 Start Menu using Classic Shell
We accept the terms of the license agreement and click “Next”.
The program will offer a list of components to install. We only need "Start". Therefore, we leave “Classic Start Menu”, and for the rest we set “The component will be completely unavailable” by clicking on the arrow next to the element.
Then select “Install” and wait for the actions to complete.
As soon as the software is installed, when you click on “Start” with the right mouse button, select “Settings”.
How to get the start button back in Windows 8 and preferably free? I understand you, friends, oh yes, this new tiled Metro interface, I also suffered for a long time, then I successfully replaced the Start button. If you don't like it, you can easily return this button to its place. And in fact, many users, over many years of using Microsoft products, have become so accustomed to this button that they can no longer do without it, their hand with a mouse is no and no, and they still strive to get into the lower left corner, and there instead of a button Start "Oblomingo" sketch of the Metro start window in miniature.
How to get the start button back in Windows 8
Many users may notice that in the new Windows 8.1 operating system there is a “Start” button and this is in fact the case, but I would like to note that this button no longer carries all the functions that were previously inherent in it in previous operating systems. If we click on the new Start button with the left mouse, we will be taken to the Metro interface with animated wallpaper. Right-click on the Start button and a menu will appear in which you can select only options: Shutdown, Sleep mode, Reboot, and so on.
But you and I want something else, so that when you click on the Start button, the real Start menu, familiar to everyone from Windows XP and Windows 7, opens, which always connects the user with programs, folders and various operating system parameters, that is, it gives a choice of where to start just start working on the computer. It’s not for nothing that the translation of the word “Menu” is selection, list.
Well, okay, I’ve become philosophic, but it’s time to tell, how to get the start button back in windows 8. To return the Start button, you can use a special program (there is no way without this); unfortunately, you cannot return the button using the built-in tools in Windows 8.
I suggest you use two of the best (in my opinion), free programs Power8 and Start Menu 8 and one paid Start8 (I especially liked the latter). How to get the start button back using the free Power8 program Official website of the program https://code.google.com/p/power8/downloads/list
Power8 - will create a very neat Start button in your Windows 8, with which we will acquire a functional Start menu for Windows 8. As in previous operating systems from Microsoft, you will have access to the control panel, administration and network settings, as well as all your programs .
I want to say that the Power8 program does not make any serious changes to the system and can be easily removed if you wish. The program will run with Windows 8 and has the most necessary settings, and of course it can block Metro functions.
On the program developer’s website, click on the Downloads button. Power8 1.4.4 Installer.
Launch the program installer and install it.
As we agreed, the Power8 application returned the Start button to us,
We click on the button with the left mouse and a very convenient and already familiar menu appears, with which you can launch any program installed in the operating system and more.
If you select Administration, all administration tools will open, select Control Panel and, in fact, get into the main management tool of the operating system. The menu also contains control buttons: rebooting and shutting down the PC, standby and hibernation mode, logging out, and starting the screensaver. At the very bottom there is a search field.
In order to enter the program settings, right-click on our button and select “Settings”
Conclusion: the program is not bad and contains a minimum of settings, but on the whole it will suit the user who cannot do without the Start button in the new Windows 8 operating system.
How to get the start button back using the free Start Menu 8 program
Another good program that can help you with this simple matter. Start Menu 8 has slightly more settings than the program we previously reviewed.
Official website of the program http://ru.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8/, click download for free.
When installing the program, check the Custom installation (for advanced users) option and uncheck the programs that you do not need.
After installing the program, the following Start button will appear in the lower left corner of the desktop; click on it with the left mouse and a functional menu will open that will allow us to administer the system, search and launch programs, and go to the control panel.
If you click the Metro application button, all the Windows 8 metro applications will open. Or click Switch to Metro, the Metro tiled interface will immediately open.
To configure the program, left-click on the Start button and select Settings.
In the settings of the Start Menu 8 program we can choose the style of the Start menu,
Common parameters
Start button view
Conclusion: Start Menu 8 performs its main function well, but it does not have all the wide variety of settings that are present in the next paid program we are considering. How to return the start button using the Start8 program
In my opinion, this is the best program in this regard and with the maximum number of settings (minus one, it is paid, but costs only $5). But you can use the program for free in test mode for 30 days.
Start8 is very easy to install. After installing the Start8 program, you will boot straight to the Windows 8 desktop, bypassing the tiled Metro interface
In the Start menu there is a Windows 8 Menu button, with which you can enter the Metro interface, I must say this is very convenient and useful if you suddenly need a tiled interface.
I really liked the search, you can use it to find anything on your computer.
A description of all the features of the program would take an entire article, but there is no point in this, since the Start8 program is intuitive and simple, this is the case, friends, when you get pleasure from mastering all the features of the program. Right-click on the Start button and select "Settings"
You can choose the Windows 7 style, I’m sure it will completely suit you. But I didn’t quite understand the meaning of the Windows 8 style. Choose the appearance of the Start button itself. The Normal button, in the Windows 8 style, looks very appropriate here. Or check Other and press Select. A window will open in which you can select any button you like, even in the Windows XP style.
Check "Highlight recently installed applications"
And all recently installed programs will be highlighted in the Start menu.
You may also notice that there is no Run button in the menu; in order for it to appear, look just below the item “What shortcuts should I place in the right column?” and opposite the “Run” element set “Display as link”,
If you need something else, look for it and note it. For example, mark the “Downloads” element, set “Display as menu” and when you hover the mouse over the “Downloads” element, the entire contents of the “Downloads” folder will be displayed.
Control.
Desktop. If hot corners bother you, you can turn them off.
At the request of workers and for those who do not like the fact that in Windows 8 the developers abandoned the Start menu we were familiar with in Windows 98, this article was written. Still, Windows 8 has become extensive and can be seen not only in PCs, netbooks and laptops, but also in tablets and all-in-one PCs. And since they provide touch input, such a Start menu would only complicate the work (IMHO). It was simply replaced with the new Metro interface. In this article, I will look at ways to return the Start menu to Windows 8, and also, “sweet” - how to return the toolbar =)
Here's what Microsoft senior program manager Chaitanya Sareen said about it - Data collected through the program Customer Experience Improvement Program allowed the company to conclude that the use of the Start menu has been steadily declining. Users no longer open Start to launch a program - they pin everything at the bottom to the bottom bar and quickly get to everything else through search. "We're on a path to opening up a whole new set of use cases," Sarin added, describing the Metro screen in Windows 8.
Still, standard means cannot be used here; you need to resort to the help of utilities. In this case, I will only consider 4, but they are worthwhile.
And although I lied a little - you can return it using standard methods without using Start menu programs, but only if you have the first version Windows 8 Developer Preview(Windows 8 Preview), but this can no longer be done in later versions of the operating system because Metro is now included in Explorer.exe.
So, in the Developer Preview Metro version, it was possible to remove the Metro interface only by deleting the shsxs.dll file, or rather, disabling it. Now I will describe how to do this.
1 - Launch the Run utility by pressing the key combination WIN+R.
We agree to a warning from Account Control
2 - Then open the editor by typing regedit in the field Open and pressing the Enter key.
3 - Go to the registry branch HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer and double-click on Explorer.
4 - In the right panel of the registry editor, find the item RPEnabled, right-click on it and select the Modify... item from the menu.
If this item is not there, then look under the spoiler.
Well, of course - if it doesn’t exist, then you need to create it
Then you need to change it
Specify the value 0 and Click OK
Go to point 6
5 - In the dialog box that opens, change the field Value Data from 1 to 0 and press the button OK to save changes.
6 - Reboot the PC and after this the Start menu in Windows 8 should change to classic.
In order to return the Start menu to the previous Metro style, you need to perform the same operation, but in step 5 return the value 1 in the dialog box.
Well, if you don’t have this version of Windows 8, but want to return the familiar classic Start menu, then let’s look at ways using utilities.
By the way, a well-known computer world observer, Paul Tarrott, expressed the opinion that Microsoft has a negative attitude towards the fact that some applications artificially return the Start button to Windows 8. But this does not bother us
1)
Installing the classic Start menu using the ViStart utility
This app was originally designed for those who wanted to add a Windows 7-style Start button to Windows XP, and now it works on Windows 8.
Please note that during installation, ViStart will offer to change the search engine and home page in your browser and will want to install various advertising modules from Yandex. I recommend refusing this by unchecking all three boxes.
At the next stage, ViStart will again offer to install some third-party software (RegClean) - we refuse by clicking on the button Decline
Once the installation is complete, you will see the Start button return to the taskbar.
Clicking on it will open the familiar Start menu. The menu even displays your most frequently used programs. But there is one nuance - it has not yet been rksified. To do it in Russian, go to the folder with the program and run Language Changer and select Russian:
Restart the program and the language should change to Russian
Another nice bonus of ViStart is that pressing the Windows button on your keyboard opens the Start menu rather than the Metro-style Start screen. However, the Start screen can still be opened by moving the cursor to the bottom-left corner of the screen or through the Charm bar that appears when hovering the cursor at the top-right or bottom-right corners of the screen.
.
2)
Installing the classic Start menu using the Start8 utility
The utility has an interface and design that most closely matches the Start button - it feels as if this button never went away, and only needed to be activated. After installing the utility, a button appears in its usual place, completely repeating the functionality of the Start button from Windows 7, only adapted to the design of Windows 8. To get to the settings, you need to right-click on the icon and select the appropriate item in the menu that appears. Commands are also available by right click Execute And Shutdown.
In the settings you can specify one of two menu design styles, you can disable/enable its transparency, and set an icon.
Stardock Start8 provides the ability to fully customize all Start menu options:
- You can choose large or small icon size
- Allow display of recently used applications
- Highlighting installed programs
- Display various shortcuts indicating user data (Audio, Video, Documents, Downloads, Images, Games, Favorites, and many others)
- Define what action the power button should perform (shutdown, exit, change user, lock, reboot, hibernate, sleep).
You can set the behavior of the button - open the standard Windows 8 start screen or the Start menu. You can combine these functions, for example, by pressing a button, open a menu, and by pressing Ctrl + button open the Windows 8 start screen.
Stardock Start8 also allows you to manage new interface functions, disabling them if you do not use them (disable interactive screen corners and the charm bar, both all and each function separately). Well, in addition to everything, the utility can determine the behavior of active areas when working in different interfaces. For example, when working in full-screen mode on a tablet computer, you can leave all Windows 8 features on, but disable them when you switch to desktop mode.
Well, for the most ardent enemies of the new Windows 8 interface, there are settings that regulate the display of applications running in full-screen Modern UI mode - you can hide their icons from the menu, and also immediately go to the desktop when the system boots.
Thus, Stardock Start8 is one of the most convenient programs that returns the full functionality of the Start button in Windows 8, and allows you to flexibly manage new interface functions, even disabling them. Naturally, Stardock Start8 only works on Windows 8 (all versions except Windows RT).
3)
Installing the classic Start menu using the Classic Shell utility
This program can install not only the classic Start menu, but also the one that was in Windows XP and Windows 7.
After installation, the program starts automatically, completely replacing the menu in its best “old” form, more familiar to the Windows interface. This replacement may be useful for owners of netbooks, whose screen sizes and resolutions are traditionally smaller than those of laptops and desktops. Also, the classic menu can save some resources on not very powerful computers. Well, the most important advantage of the program is that it satisfies the needs of accountant aunts who want everything to be as before, period!
In addition to changing the appearance of the main menu, Classic Shell also includes the classic look of the Explorer toolbar,
as well as a status line.
The last stage is to launch the program in automatic mode.
Right-click on the "Start" button and select "Run at startup".
After restarting the computer and going to the desktop, the "Start" button is in its usual place.
That's all. I think we have sorted out this issue. Well, now - sweetie
Create a Toolbar with programs on the taskbar
Not everyone knows this, but it turns out that in Windows you can create a toolbar with the contents of the folder with installed programs. we can create a pseudo start menu without installing third party software.
So let's get started. Right-click on the taskbar, in the context menu that opens, move the mouse cursor to the item Toolbars(Panels) and then select New toolbar(Create toolbar).
Copy and paste the following line into the address bar in the Choose a folder window:
%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
And when you press the button Select Folder(Select folder), you will see a menu on the taskbar Programs(Programs).
If you want to move the new menu to a different location on the taskbar, simply right-click on the taskbar and uncheck Lock the taskbar, and then drag the mouse cursor to the desired location on the taskbar.
