Restore the Start Menu to Windows 8 with Start8. BETA Update Available Now!

from JoeUser Forums

Stardock heard the cries from Windows® 8 users when they found out the start menu had been removed from Windows 8. We accurately recreated the most used desktop feature billions of users depend on every day, packed it with additional functionality, and named it Start8™.

FEATURES

  • Adds a Windows 7-style Start menu with Windows 8 enhancements
  • Search for Windows 8-style (Modern UI) apps
  • Pin desktop and Modern UI apps
  • Boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop
  • Fast access to shut down, devices, music, documents, videos
  • Skinnable Start button
  • Windows 8 Start screen accessible from the Start menu
  • Configurable Start menu size

NEW IN THIS BETA (version 0.95)

  • New User Interface
    • o Start button and Winkey can be configured to go to the Start menu or the Modern UI
    • o Customize what appears in the right menu pane, icon size, number of icons, power options (including quick startup)
  • Jump Lists now support pinning
  • New default theme
    • o Options to change the Start menu color
    • o Toggle to enable and disable translucency (defaults to disabled)
  • New start button
    • o Users can change the start button
  • Modern UI apps have their own "Modern UI Applications" folder under All Programs
  • Search
    • o Now searches Control Panel items
    • o Now adds directory and UNC path browsing
  • App Launching
    • o Shift + right-click shows Run As option
    • o Ctrl + shift when launching an app will launch elevated
  • Fix: Tree mode in the All Programs menu closes the tree when you launch something
  • Fixed issue for auto-hide taskbar
  • Fixes for some elements that were not translating properly

HOW TO GET IT

Start8 Beta is available as a free 30-day trial and can be purchased for only $4.99.

Purchase Start8 today to get access to the Beta now and receive a free update to the final version when it releases this Fall. https://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

  • Windows 8

12,659 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Great stuff !

But.........

I just got a scary thought though. 8|

Is Start8 going to be what is replacing SkinStudio Or are there a SkinStudio Update/replacement for skinning Windows 8 being worked on that we havent heard about yet ?

neone6 (A concerned skinner) :sun:

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting neone6, reply 1
Great stuff !

But.........

I just got a scary thought though.

Is Start8 going to be what is replacing SkinStudio Or are there a SkinStudio Update/replacement for skinning Windows 8 being worked on that we havent heard about yet ?

neone6 (A concerned skinner)
End of neone6's quote

Why would Start8 replace SkinStudio?

BTW if you own ObjectDesktop then Start8 is now included.  Just unlock it as you would any other SD app by entering your account details.

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Neil, reply 2




Why would Start8 replace SkinStudio?

BTW if you own ObjectDesktop then Start8 is now included.  Just unlock it as you would any other SD app by entering your account details.
End of Neil's quote
PHEW ! And Thanks Neil ! :star:

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Neil,

I have the prior version of Start8 installed on my netbook, so I loaded SDC onto it, logged in, made sure Show Betas was checked and guess what?  The new Start 8 Beta is not showing.  :(

 

ADDED: OK, I found the new Beta at the store and downloaded and installed it. One thing I notice though is that on boot 90% of the time it still goes the the Modern (Metro) UI and I have to click Desktop to get out of it.  This also occurred in the prior version and I have the box checked for it not to boot to Modern (Metro).

Also, when selecting items to show on the right side of the start menu in the new Start8, even though I turned Recorded TV off on the list, it still shows on the start menu.

 

Oh, and why can't the number of icons to show be set to less than 10?

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Does it show [here], Tom? (Does for me)

Not sure if Start8 is supposed to show up in SDC, yet.

Edit: Oki ;)

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Typing at the same time is such fun isn't it Snowie! ;P

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I gave up trying to edit WB's with Start8. Ive found comodo firewall much more user friendly.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting HG_Eliminator, reply 7
I gave up trying to edit WB's with Start8. Ive found comodo firewall much more user friendly.
End of HG_Eliminator's quote
Huh?

/me is confused

How is Start8 related to WindowBlinds and how is it related to comodo firewall?

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 8
Zubaz is confused
End of Zubaz's quote

Does "facetious" help remove the confusion?

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

That's a lot of functionality for very little money.  Nice job, Stardock! :thumbsup:

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 8

Quoting HG_Eliminator, reply 7I gave up trying to edit WB's with Start8. Ive found comodo firewall much more user friendly.Huh?

Zubaz is confused

How is Start8 related to WindowBlinds and how is it related to comodo firewall?
End of Zubaz's quote

Methinks he meant sks... "I blame the whiskey pizza."

 

On a serious note, this could be a very hot item... It could really boost W8 sales in the PC market, and the PC market which is really sluggish now.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting HG_Eliminator, reply 7
I gave up trying to edit WB's with Start8. Ive found comodo firewall much more user friendly.
End of HG_Eliminator's quote

Quoting Zubaz, reply 8
Quoting HG_Eliminator, reply 7I gave up trying to edit WB's with Start8. Ive found comodo firewall much more user friendly.Huh?

Zubaz is confused

How is Start8 related to WindowBlinds and how is it related to comodo firewall?
End of Zubaz's quote

 

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 11
Quoting Zubaz, reply 8
Quoting HG_Eliminator, reply 7I gave up trying to edit WB's with Start8. Ive found comodo firewall much more user friendly.Huh?

Zubaz is confused

How is Start8 related to WindowBlinds and how is it related to comodo firewall?

Methinks he meant sks... "I blame the whiskey pizza."

 

On a serious note, this could be a very hot item... It could really boost W8 sales in the PC market, and the PC market which is really sluggish now.
End of DrJBHL's quote

 

 

I'd say HG was poking fun at reply number 1.  :P :P o_O :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Long day, got the joke later.  |-)

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

We love ya anyway Zu.  :beer: :beer: :beer:

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 13
Long day, got the joke later.
End of Zubaz's quote

Oh, put it back....now you've got it you still don't know what to do with it....;)

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

/facepalm

Microsoft, should've listened...this is going to be awesome!

PS: Watch MS lock down the GUI API so you can't do this

Also, calling it Windows 9 will bring back the start menu...but it'll be renamed to something like Windows Menu