Remove the Start button in Windows 8.1 with StartIsGone

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Thank you for coming back and continuing development in the face of all the arrogant ###### who gave you crap!

[WAQT]

Guys, as I promise, here is an update.

StartIsGone v2.0

Added multiple monitors support :)

Added tray context menu option to hide the tray icon.

Download link is the same: click

Thank you!

[Brandon H Supervisor]

gotta love you guys at WinAero, you guys always come up with some of the greatest utilities :)

[chrisj1968]

For those wondering what's the point of this, especially after so many calls to bring the Start button back, it's for when

you're using a 3rd party add-on like Classic Shell, that brings back the full traditional Start menu, the new Start button

is redundant, as it appears underneath the 3rd party Start button, and can be clicked on accidentally.

 

I tried that with my classic shell. the MS version start button is gone!

[blade1269]

We got a start button and not the start menu!

[cooky560 Veteran]

As long as StartisBack and similar apps still work in 8.1 I really don't see the problem, while the MS solution is not to everyone's tastes, there are plenty of apps out there that solve this problem, and this is just another of those apps, try and refrain from start menu vs start screen arguments please.

[Sergey "hb860"]

StartIsGone v2.1.0.0 is available!

Fixed the issue with empty space at the right side of task buttons.

Please re-download.

[WAQT]

StartIsGone v2.1.0.0 is available!

Fixed the issue with empty space at the right side of task buttons.

Please re-download.

Thank you for working on this, just downloaded it today. Waiting to try it out on the 18th.

[WAQT]

Windows 8.1 looks good.

 

Thank you for the handy utility, it is working great!

[Crimson Rain]

effin hate this start button.

Anyway to remove it PERMANENTLY instead of having to run a program at startup?

Can we configure startisgone to auto start -> remove the button -> auto exit?

[MorganX]

Like sticking a man on the moon or trying to cure cancer the answer is simply "because it's something to do".

 

Actually, 1) they got rid of the lego start icon, fantastic and 2) with the searched fixed and unified, I actually uninstalled Star8. So far so good. The more granular snap with dual "monitors" helps, it multitasks better and snap views stick per session (and I hardly ever reboot). I'm not missing too much but you definitely need the Start Buttons to get to the start screen. I have a dedicated start button on my Logitech touch zone mouse but often it's quicker to just mouse to it believe it or not.

 

This is definitely one where people are just removing it, just because. What do you need to put there instead again?

[theyarecomingforyou]

This is definitely one where people are just removing it, just because. What do you need to put there instead again?

Yeah. I didn't miss it when it was removed in Windows 8 but wasn't bothered when they added it back in Windows 8.1. Having a Start Button is easier for newer users and useful for those who have their taskbar pinned to the top or side. I can understand why people wanted it back when it was removed, what with it having been included in every version of Windows since 1995, but I'm confused as to why people are bothered now that it's back.

 

Thankfully there are plenty of apps for those who don't like the default implementation, so it's not really a problem.

[patseguin Global Moderator]

I find it very funny how people whine about the start button and make apps to bring it back and now that it's there someone makes an app to remove it. Put your time in to something more meaningful for God's sake.

[blindbat]

I have windows 8 on one of my computers and just put the 8.1  update and have put the Iobit Start menu 8 on and I am well pleased cos I can swap and change between the desktop and metro ui as   and when I want ,personally I love using the start menu/button a lot but admit that somethings do work better on the metro ui so I have the best of both worlds

It should be upto the individual whether they have a start button or not but if you have it then use it otherwise theres no point of having it

[MorganX]

We got a start button and not the start menu!

With unified search, it functions the same most of the time. Use your desktop as your start page background.

 

Hierarchical flyout menus will always be missed, but with 8.1, just not missing it so much. With libraries, I don't have to spend so much time locating data. Refinements and optimizations needed, but it's getting there. My major complaints are no longer UI/UX related:

 

• In the mail app when you search, you cannot perform any action other than read on search results. Still don't understand this blunder. Fix this, and I don't need full blown Outlook 70% of the time.
• For those who own Enterprise Agreements or an Outlook license, let them use the Modern Mail App without a Microsoft Account, let them use it and Calendar with Exchange ActiveSync only.
• Alarms needs a clock/time view when snapped.
• Music is much improved with the in app search, but still can't sync music and dynamic playlists to phone or tablet. They're going to have to return this functionality. Some minor things like having to travel too far with the mouse to delete a playlist, should be able to right-click.

[xWhiplash]

Is the space it takes up THAT large?  I don't think you can even fit one more icon (since the far left icon was not directly next to the edge of the screen).

[Skiver Veteran]

Love this, I understood why people want it back, but I don't think those that wanted it, wanted what happened. I think they wanted the non-full screen start menu not the actual button itself.

 

I personally use the windows key if I want the "start menu" so having it down there was more of an annoyance. Thanks for this, works perfectly.

[MorganX]

Yeah. I didn't miss it when it was removed in Windows 8 but wasn't bothered when they added it back in Windows 8.1. Having a Start Button is easier for newer users and useful for those who have their taskbar pinned to the top or side. I can understand why people wanted it back when it was removed, what with it having been included in every version of Windows since 1995, but I'm confused as to why people are bothered now that it's back.

 

Thankfully there are plenty of apps for those who don't like the default implementation, so it's not really a problem.

 

Yeah, it didn't make sense to relearn that motor skill when years have been put into developing it. When you're already on the mouse it's also much quicker than the effort required to target a hot corner for Charms or App Bar and then travel to Start or the Win Charm. I would not have a problem if they allowed it to be removed, but unlike needing the Star Menu before 8.1, I wouldn't install and app (me personally) to remove it. I hate having to install third party apps for this sort of thing. I'm down to icon packager. I just can't stand the gaudy oversized default shortcut menu.

[MorganX]

I find it very funny how people whine about the start button and make apps to bring it back and now that it's there someone makes an app to remove it. Put your time in to something more meaningful for God's sake.

 

There's nothing more meaningful to tech heads than a man or woman's personal productivity. With 8.1, MS has shown they clearly understand that now ... lol :D

 

Plus, these types of things are part of the fun and distressing in the life of IT.

[AJerman]

Love this, I understood why people want it back, but I don't think those that wanted it, wanted what happened. I think they wanted the non-full screen start menu not the actual button itself.

 

I personally use the windows key if I want the "start menu" so having it down there was more of an annoyance. Thanks for this, works perfectly.

Partly, yes, partly not, I think. The start menu needed to be there for the less tech savvy people who are confused by a lack of a start button. For that reason it's good. MS addressed that while keeping the start screen the default since that's what they want people to use. This is how it should have been in W8 from the start, with maybe a slow evolution towards a disappearing start button rather than it just going *poof* in a new version. It was confusing to a lot of people.

 

For those of us who don't like the start screen, adding the start button didn't really help much because the lack of a start button wasn't the issue for us, it's the start screen that's the issue (though I'm really not a huge fan of the hot corners either really). This offers the best of both worlds were the general public can have the start button and everyone will know where to go, but for everyone who didn't mind it gone, this gives the option to remove it again.

[Skiver Veteran]

Partly, yes, partly not, I think. The start menu needed to be there for the less tech savvy people who are confused by a lack of a start button. For that reason it's good. MS addressed that while keeping the start screen the default since that's what they want people to use. This is how it should have been in W8 from the start, with maybe a slow evolution towards a disappearing start button rather than it just going *poof* in a new version. It was confusing to a lot of people.

 

For those of us who don't like the start screen, adding the start button didn't really help much because the lack of a start button wasn't the issue for us, it's the start screen that's the issue (though I'm really not a huge fan of the hot corners either really). This offers the best of both worlds were the general public can have the start button and everyone will know where to go, but for everyone who didn't mind it gone, this gives the option to remove it again.

Very true, I guess i'm not really thinking of those. I'm personally a big fan of the new start screen, I have too many frequently used app's for W7 start screen to keep up with.

[HawkMan]

I liked how the "lego" start button actually showed your start screen, technically it was cool.

 

graphically I like the new one better. while I didn't think I'd like it wasting space, I didn't end up disliking it that much, I'm mostly ambivalent and don't really care about it's taskbar existence. and the fact they used the same button as the overlay in the modern apps helps with the consistency. 

[HawkMan]

I find it very funny how people whine about the start button and make apps to bring it back and now that it's there someone makes an app to remove it. Put your time in to something more meaningful for God's sake.

 

Because everyone has the same opinion, so because a few whined of the removal that means everyone wanted it back ?

[HawkMan]

Yeah, it didn't make sense to relearn that motor skill when years have been put into developing it. When you're already on the mouse it's also much quicker than the effort required to target a hot corner for Charms or App Bar and then travel to Start or the Win Charm. I would not have a problem if they allowed it to be removed, but unlike needing the Star Menu before 8.1, I wouldn't install and app (me personally) to remove it. I hate having to install third party apps for this sort of thing. I'm down to icon packager. I just can't stand the gaudy oversized default shortcut menu.

 

there's effort in targetting a hot corner ? it's just a down left flick of the mouse and you're there from anywhere with mouse acceleration on. 

[LUTZIFER]

It doesn't even make sense for the START button to not be there.

Besides, why would someone want that big empty space where the START button normally is?

Looks retarded if anything, besides, you have to click down there anyways, might as well click on a proper button, der.