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BlackSmokeDMax
BlackSmokeDMax
Join Date 03/2006
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New to Win 8.1 pro - recommendations?

June 4, 2014 11:20:57 AM from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

As title says, just started running windows 8.1 pro for the first time. So far along with Start8 and Fences, I am loving it. Anyone have any recommendations for other software?

I have looked at ModernMix, but so far I'm thinking if I don't find myself running any of the "Modern" apps, that will be something unneeded. So far I haven't been running any, but being this new to 8.1 I am not sure if I am going to end up getting them foisted upon me, whether I want them or not.

Pre-thanks to any and all!

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BlackSmokeDMax
Island Dog
Join Date 06/2003
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Reply #1 June 4, 2014 11:24:46 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Well I use ModernMix often since I use the integrated PDF viewer, Xbox Music, and things like that.

ObjectDock is still one of my personal favorites and I use it on Windows 8.1 just fine.

 

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BlackSmokeDMax
BlackSmokeDMax
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Reply #2 June 4, 2014 11:27:48 AM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

Thanks Island Dog. Is Object Dock something used with the modern interface, the desktop interface or both?

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BlackSmokeDMax
Island Dog
Join Date 06/2003
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Reply #3 June 4, 2014 11:44:19 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Just the desktop.  There is something a bit similar called Launch8, just for the start screen.

https://www.stardock.com/products/Launch8/

 

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BlackSmokeDMax
BlackSmokeDMax
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Reply #4 June 4, 2014 11:57:50 AM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

Ahh, thanks! Will take a closer look at both.

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BlackSmokeDMax
RedneckDude
Join Date 04/2009
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Reply #5 June 4, 2014 1:08:02 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

IMO, Start8 is a must. But some *cough* Phoons...er, I mean fools like the start screen.

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BlackSmokeDMax
Leo the Lion
Join Date 05/2003
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Reply #6 June 4, 2014 2:34:40 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Have fun with 8.1.........I've been enjoying it for some time now and much prefer it to 7. Explore the Windows App store and pick up some enhancements. 

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BlackSmokeDMax
Phoon
Join Date 10/2001
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Reply #7 June 4, 2014 2:51:35 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Quoting RedneckDude,
reply 5
IMO, Start8 is a must. But some *cough* Phoons...er, I mean fools like the start screen.

 

Now Sheepherder... I was not going to come in here, but I heard your yodels.

Live with what you know, or learn something different. It's up to you how far behind you want to fall.

(I still use Win7 for 9 hours+ per day so I retain my skills with the clunky legacy start menu).

 

I hope MS puts this to rest with the next major update. I think it will be a happy medium between the two.

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BlackSmokeDMax
RedneckDude
Join Date 04/2009
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Reply #8 June 4, 2014 3:17:36 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Buff, I did take a year to learn/use the new metro start screen. I much prefer the start menu. (Plus I enjoy calling you Buff Phoon)    

 

 

I like a lot about Windows 8.1, but the metro start screen is a nice place to visit, I just don't want to live there.

I still maintain that Windows 8.1 is better with resources, and I like that about it.

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BlackSmokeDMax
BlackSmokeDMax
Join Date 03/2006
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Reply #9 June 5, 2014 9:56:31 PM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

Quoting RedneckDude,
reply 5

IMO, Start8 is a must. But some *cough* Phoons...er, I mean fools like the start screen.

Absolutely the first thing I installed! It is a great product.

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BlackSmokeDMax
BlackSmokeDMax
Join Date 03/2006
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Reply #10 June 5, 2014 9:56:44 PM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

Thanks to all for the input! Time to just use this for a while and see what shakes out.

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BlackSmokeDMax
starkers
Join Date 05/2004
+1153
Reply #11 June 9, 2014 2:44:29 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Hi Leo, another Stardock tool you might want to consider is Modernmix, which allows you to use Modern apps on the desktop side by side and minimise them to the taskbar for convenience while you perform other tasks.  While you may not use them as yet, there are many Modern apps in various categories which are quite useful on a daily basis.  Moreover, Modernmix allows you to open multiple Modern apps at once, something default Windows 8.1 does not allow, and they're easily accessible with one click from the taskbar.

Another program suite you may also want to look at for Win 8.1 is Winstep Xtreme.  I use it in conjunction with Stardock apps to enhance my Win 8.1 experience and believe that you too might find it useful.

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BlackSmokeDMax
DontShootUK
Join Date 05/2014
0
Reply #12 June 10, 2014 4:34:32 PM
from Demigod ForumsDemigod Forums

Classic shell is my first install to remove Windows 8 metro start menu. Nice replacement and rock solid. 

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BlackSmokeDMax
BlackSmokeDMax
Join Date 03/2006
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Reply #13 June 12, 2014 10:50:22 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Thanks Starkers and DontShootUK, will definitely take a look at those.

DontShootUK, correct me if I'm wrong, but would Classic Shell not be doing the same thing that Start8 does? Or does that go further somehow?

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BlackSmokeDMax
starkers
Join Date 05/2004
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Reply #14 June 13, 2014 4:34:16 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Quoting Leo in WI,
reply 13
DontShootUK, correct me if I'm wrong, but would Classic Shell not be doing the same thing that Start8 does? Or does that go further somehow?

Both proggies do pretty much the same thing... replace the start button/menu. However, Start8 is customisable using Windowblinds. As far as I know, Classic Shell is not skinnable using WB... unless something changed recently.  I somehow doubt it, though. 

Thing is, Classic Shell is freeware so it won't cost you to try it.  However, I gave it a go prior to the release of Start8 but switched immediately once that became available [which is a standalone for 5 bucks or as a part of the Object Desktop subscription]. 

For me, though, the choice was obvious... it has to be skinnable.

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BlackSmokeDMax
BlackSmokeDMax
Join Date 03/2006
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Reply #15 June 13, 2014 5:48:50 AM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

Thanks again Starkers! Guess that is easy enough then, seeing as I already have Start8 as per my OP.

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