47 replies to this topic 1 votes

[Asrokhel]

This is in no way comprehensive, but if people know more, please add to the list:



Power8:
http://code.google.com/p/power8

StartMenu8:
http://www.iobit.com...tstartmenu8.php

StartMenu X:
http://www.startmenux.com/index.html

ClassicShell:
http://classicshell.sf.net

Spesoft Free Windows 8 Start Menu:
http://www.spesoft.c...start-menu.aspx

Taskbar Classic Start Menu:
http://softwaredistribution.xclan.ru

ViStart:
http://lee-soft.com/vistart

Revel BringBack 8:
http://www.revel-sof.../BringBack.aspx

Handy Start Menu:
http://www.handystartmenu.com/

Start8:
http://www.stardock....roducts/start8/

StartIsBack:
http://startisback.com/

[Max Norris]

Ex7ForWin8 - http://forums.mydigi...r-for-Windows-8
Which later turned into
Start Is Back - http://www.msfn.org/...-start-is-back/

Usually stick with the standard Windows 8 start screen (actually like it), but occasionally will switch shells just to make organizing the "back side" of the start screen easier. Like these as it's the real Win7 shell/start menu and not a work-alike.

Edit: And derp.. just notice SIB on the original post. Either my brain is broken due to lack of coffee or my reading comprehension is bad today.

[Tyler R.]

I'd say Start 8 is the best one, IMO.

[The Dark Knight]

Another vote for Start8 from me! Looks and feels just as if it was a part of Windows.

[@Leo]

Tyler R., on 02 November 2012 - 15:56, said:

I'd say Start 8 is the best one, IMO.

It's not.

StartIsBack is, as it is the native Windows 7 start menu.

[Tyler R.]

@Leo, on 02 November 2012 - 16:10, said:

It's not.

StartIsBack is, as it is the native Windows 7 start menu.

Derp! Never looked into it. I might have to check it out when I have the time. Thanks!

[Scorbing]

@Leo, on 02 November 2012 - 16:10, said:

It's not. StartIsBack is, as it is the native Windows 7 start menu.

Care to explain to us how that is the native Windows 7 start menu? How are they going to make it part of the OS if Microsoft took out the Start Menu codes from the registry and the system itself?

http://startisback.com/

[Max Norris]

Scorbing, on 02 November 2012 - 17:18, said:

Care to explain to us how that is the native Windows 7 start menu? How are they going to make it part of the OS if Microsoft took out the Start Menu codes from the registry and the system itself?

Haven't tried SIB myself, used his previous ExForWin7, guessing it's along similar lines. It installs the Windows 7 Explorer as an alternate shell, not a knockoff but the actual files from the Windows 7 ISO, it'll ask for it during the installation. (Installs elsewhere, doesn't overwrite the original, and you'll still retain Win8's file manager.) Couple very minor quirks aside it worked quite well, and would guess SIB improves on it.. very rarely had the desire to switch to the Win7 shell so never bothered to update it.. purely using for easymode start screen organization then switching back.

[Copernic]

http://www.startbutton8.com/index.html
http://www.iobit.com...tstartmenu8.php
http://code.google.com/p/power8/
http://www.startmenu7.com/index.html
https://www.pokki.co...ws-8-start-menu
http://www.spesoft.c...start-menu.aspx
http://maketecheasie...ws-8/2012/08/13
http://www.ghacks.ne...t-menu-program/
http://www.winability.com/startfinity/
http://www.revel-sof.../BringBack.aspx
http://sourceforge.n...ource=directory
http://tweaks.com/wi...e-start-button/
http://windows8startbutton.com/
http://lee-soft.com/vistart/
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
https://www.totalide...utton/index.php

[Scorbing]

Max Norris, on 02 November 2012 - 17:22, said:

Haven't tried SIB myself, used his previous ExForWin7, guessing it's along similar lines. It installs the Windows 7 Explorer as an alternate shell, not a knockoff but the actual files from the Windows 7 ISO, it'll ask for it during the installation. (Installs elsewhere, doesn't overwrite the original, and you'll still retain Win8's file manager.) Couple very minor quirks aside it worked quite well, and would guess SIB improves on it.. very rarely had the desire to switch to the Win7 shell so never bothered to update it.. purely using for easymode start screen organization then switching back.

Well isn't that what Stardock did with Start8? I installed Start8 and I do not see any startup app or anything running in the background so I am thinking maybe they added the code inside the registry to make it work. Nevertheless, it works great.

[Asrokhel]

Copernic, on 02 November 2012 - 17:28, said:

<snip>

It would be a good idea to space that list out, also, take out the ones that I already listed in my OP.

[Island Dog]

Start8 is its own application, that's what it has features that go beyond what the "normal" start menu does. Even cooler stuff coming.

[freak180]

Island Dog, on 02 November 2012 - 21:03, said:

Start8 is its own application, that's what it has features that go beyond what the "normal" start menu does. Even cooler stuff coming.

Of course you would defend start 8 lol

[Xenomorph]

Great. I have my Start Menu back.

Next: Give me rounded corners and Aero. Please!!

[Javik]

Seriously, must every single goddam thread about start replacements be trolled with this mindless schlok? We get it, everything Microsoft does is awesome. Go and flagellate in another topic and leave these ones alone.

Max Norris, on 02 November 2012 - 17:22, said:

Haven't tried SIB myself, used his previous ExForWin7, guessing it's along similar lines. It installs the Windows 7 Explorer as an alternate shell, not a knockoff but the actual files from the Windows 7 ISO, it'll ask for it during the installation. (Installs elsewhere, doesn't overwrite the original, and you'll still retain Win8's file manager.) Couple very minor quirks aside it worked quite well, and would guess SIB improves on it.. very rarely had the desire to switch to the Win7 shell so never bothered to update it.. purely using for easymode start screen organization then switching back.

SIB uses no content from Windows 7, it simply installs a DLL that acts as a hook to enable some functions that are still present in Explorer to present a fully working start menu. You still use the Windows 8 explorer, and you still have a fully functional start screen.