Do you want the start menu in Windows 8?

[Dashel]

For me, its much less about wanting the classic Start Menu but wanting either better integration or better separation between Metro and the Desktop. Most arguments about the menu really boil down to that. At the most basic, add a visible icon since there is zero benefit to hiding it. That way it also orients with the taskbar instead of being a different entity.

[Sandor]

I prefer the new start screen. So much quicker to find things.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

I like to have a choice.

Option: enable or disable.

[KRazpopov]

No, I'd rather get some information at a glance from the start screen than have a small menu that really doesn't show me that much.

Really, I launch most of my applications by typing in the first few letters and pressing Enter. Windows 8 supports that, so for me it's no big deal. Just pin your frequently used apps to the start screen and access the others when needed via search.

[Jay Kuzmak]

Nope. I like the start screen much more than the start menu. I am happy the start menu is gone. Embrace the future!! :D

[Night Prowler]

This topic has been clubbed to death like a baby seal, but I don't think there has ever been a simple yes or no poll. I tried searching for one but didn't find anything.

The reason for this poll, is because of the Editorial on the front page

Windows 8 users still want a Start menu and a Facebook app

http://www.neowin.ne...-a-facebook-app

While this isn't the entire Windows 8 user base it is part of the Neowin user base.

Sadly the start menu is most likely never returning to Windows.

The Start menu has returned, and it's name is 'Start8' (tried them all, and this is by far the best). Sometimes Microsoft doesn't furnish a particular application, or just a very basic application. Reaching out to a third party application supplier is always a great choice.

So basically if you need a Start Menu go out and add it on. Jeez, does Microsoft always have to be the only solution to a non-existent problem!

[Guest]

Jeez, does Microsoft always have to be the only solution to a non-existent problem!

Because it's not native.

The Start Menu is dead and never to return, get over it people.

[Arceles]

Nope. I like the start screen much more than the start menu. I am happy the start menu is gone. Embrace the future!! :D

Future? Touch? I rather see this as an stagnation of technology... because we haven't been able to read the minds yet and also because of the inefficiency vs a mouse.

[xWhiplash]

No its better than the start menu ever was, No more moving shortcuts around and deleting web,readme and uninstall shortcuts it just shows my programs.

On most of my programs, those still show up in the Start Screen, except now they are in your face every time you go to All Apps. Yeah having folder structure is SOOOOOOO horrible, but I do not mind seeing these readmes and other random files every time I go to All Apps!

[Kelxin]

SK[' timestamp=1360342690' post='595510154]

Because it's not native.

The Start Menu is dead and never to return, get over it people.

Try using Hyper-V, VMWare, a Mac with Bootcamp, or a touchscreen point of sale machine with no keyboard on Windows 8, then get over it yourself.

[Dot Matrix]

Try using Hyper-V, VMWare, a Mac with Bootcamp, or a touchscreen point of sale machine with no keyboard on Windows 8, then get over it yourself.

Considering you should be more than able to use keyboard shortcuts with most of these, there is no problem here.

On a touchscreen, Start can be accessed by the Charms Bar, so again, no issues.

[Dot Matrix]

On most of my programs, those still show up in the Start Screen, except now they are in your face every time you go to All Apps. Yeah having folder structure is SOOOOOOO horrible, but I do not mind seeing these readmes and other random files every time I go to All Apps!

May I ask why you are constantly in that menu that it causes you so much pain? Between app pinning and Search, there are easier ways of getting around to the things you need to find.

[xWhiplash]

May I ask why you are constantly in that menu that it causes you so much pain? Between app pinning and Search, there are easier ways of getting around to the things you need to find.

Um maybe because I have so many programs, and when I am paid to do work I do work. I do not have hours to spend pinning everything and then I will have to horizontally scroll through all the shortcuts on the start screen.

For example: I do not need to pin "Visual Studio Command Prompt", yet I still do use it every once and a while. I do not have to scroll through hundreds of boxes to find it. With the Start Menu, it is MUCH MUCH more organized: Start - Visual Studio 2010 - Visual Studio Tools - Visual Studio Command Prompt.

Nice....Clean....Organized....not in my face every time.

[Doli]

Um maybe because I have so many programs, and when I am paid to do work I do work. I do not have hours to spend pinning everything and then I will have to horizontally scroll through all the shortcuts on the start screen.

For example: I do not need to pin "Visual Studio Command Prompt", yet I still do use it every once and a while. I do not have to scroll through hundreds of boxes to find it. With the Start Menu, it is MUCH MUCH more organized: Start - Visual Studio 2010 - Visual Studio Tools - Visual Studio Command Prompt.

Nice....Clean....Organized....not in my face every time.

Start - (typing "comand") c - o - m (already listed at "c") - Visual Studio Command Prompt

[TPreston]

Um maybe because I have so many programs, and when I am paid to do work I do work. I do not have hours to spend pinning everything and then I will have to horizontally scroll through all the shortcuts on the start screen.

For example: I do not need to pin "Visual Studio Command Prompt", yet I still do use it every once and a while. I do not have to scroll through hundreds of boxes to find it. With the Start Menu, it is MUCH MUCH more organized: Start - Visual Studio 2010 - Visual Studio Tools - Visual Studio Command Prompt.

Nice....Clean....Organized....not in my face every time.

^ the start screen does this automaticly and filters out the crap without having to send them to the recycle bin. Best of both worlds

But your right there is a lot of scrolling in the start screen better to have a tiny all programs menu no scrolling there /s

[tsupersonic]

Hell yes. For people without touchscreen monitors (which is the majority of monitors), you need the damn start button in Windows. Hell, I still would want the start button on a monitor without a touchscreen. I can't tolerate Windows 8 without a start button.

[Dashel]

Just pin your frequently used apps to the start screen and access the others when needed via search.

I disagree when you are talking about primary Desktop users. The Start Screen is clearly NOT for Frequent Desktop apps. The cleanest flow is that all of your commons (even the dynamic ones of the classic menu) are pinned to the taskbar. Uncommon ones pin to StartScreen and infrequent ones are searched or worse, browsed for.

But your right there is a lot of scrolling in the start screen better to have a tiny all programs menu no scrolling there /s

Our biology prefers thinner columns so the smaller space of the classic menu is by no means a detriment some pretend it to be since we can only scan one at a time. The issue isn't scrolling, its finding what you want in multiple columns vs a nested single column. (It 'breaks' organization since it boils up subfolders to the main level in an effort to be friendlier to people that don't understand the organization. In practice, those people never used it that way anyway and it just frustrates those that have.)

[aludanyi]

I don't need it (and I am a "command line guy", I spend most of my time using command line/power shell), but the good solution would be that the user can enable it or disable it (the start menu and the start screen as well). That way, everyone would be happy, and that's the point of it anyway...

[DarkMidnight]

I don't miss the it and got used to the new Start Screen just like I was mad during the transition from toolbars to ribbon in Office. I got used to the ribbon.

Hey how about a bring the Start button but it brings you to the start screen for people who like buttons instead of hot corners. I really don't care much about the Old start button.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Yes, I do.

I won't bother with my reasons since

A) They have been explained many times before

B) Someone will choose to tell me how I can achieve the same results in Windows 8 without a Start Menu, despite the fact that:

C) It is a personal preference.

Very well said, friend! Couldn't have said it better myself. :)

[+virtorio MVC]

I don't personally. I'm quite happy using one of the alternatives (like Start8).

What I want is for the Start Screen to be better, both functionality wise and with how it works with the desktop?

[Order_66]

It's speaks volumes about windows 8 and metro when over 40% of posters at a predominately windows site (aka neoWIN) want the start menu back.

[Auroka]

I don't need the start menu anymore, but having a "boot to desktop" option would be nice.

[hamslammer]

Yes, indeed!!

[MorganX]

It's speaks volumes about windows 8 and metro when over 40% of posters at a predominately windows site (aka neoWIN) want the start menu back.

Your point is valid but I think it's important to distinguish the posters here as experienced Desktop users. Consumers who may buy an AIO touchscreen or a tablet (not too many consumers at this point), they won't care much about the Start Menu.

I find it far more efficient and capable but not many soccer moms are going to search enough to care about how clumsy Modern UI search is, or want to quickly browse their computer from the Start Menu, or Recorded TV, or Favorites, or their Personal Folder, or the Network.