When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Start8 1.31 available for download

Stardock Start8 lets you return the Start Button to Windows 8. Microsoft Windows 8 is shipped without the “Start” menu. Start8 brings back Windows 7-style Start menu with Windows 8 enhancements. Also you can view and launch installed applications (including Modern apps), All Programs menu. Start8 includes support for “jump lists”/recent documents for recently accessed programs (Devices, Documents, Music, Videos, Photos, Computer, and more). Pin favorite desktop and Metro apps shortcuts directly to the start menu for easy access. Start8 adds searchable Windows 8-style (Modern UI) Start menu options for Windows desktop applications, Modern applications, and documents. It allows automatically load directly to your Windows desktop on login (vs the start screen). In addition, you can also easily shutdown your PC without needing to access another menus.

Features:

  • Windows 7-style Start menu with Windows 8 enhancements
  • Pin desktop and Modern UI apps
  • Jump list support
  • Unified Search for Apps, Settings and Files
  • Boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop
  • Automatically matches the color of the taskbar
  • Skinnable Start button
  • Windows 8 Start screen accessible from the Start Menu
  • Optionally disable the Windows 8 desktop “hot spots”
  • Adds option for WinKey to show full screen metro desktop
  • Group Policy support

Control:

  • Configurable Start menu size
  • Windows 8 Start screen accessible from the Start menu
  • Clean, streamlined UI enhances Start8′s usability

Customization:

  • Optionally disable the desktop Windows 8 “hot spots”
  • Supports WindowFX 5.1 start menu animations (currently in beta)
  • Choose a custom Start button skin and color

What's new in this version:

  • Added some additional strings to bundled language files for Windows 8.1
  • DisplayFusion fixes
  • Hid the advanced option to go to desktop when closing a metro app on Win8.1
  • Disabled the option for the user picture to hide the user picture when using a WB skin
  • Fixed an issue with custom themes and non English languages where the shutdown button would clip text

Download: Start8 1.31 | 7.1 MB (Free to try, $3.99 to buy)
Link: Start8 Home Page | Release History

Report a problem with article
Next Article

Webroot SecureAnywhere 8.0.4.42

Previous Article

Unchecky 0.1.5 Beta

Join the conversation!

Login or Sign Up to read and post a comment.

10 Comments - Add comment