Where is the classic start menu in Windows 7

By b@nned
in The Fast Ring (Insider Previews)

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Grand Master

Quillz

Posted
Posted
The classic start menu is present in Windows 7. To get to it, though, you have to enter Safe Mode.

Why is the classic start menu in Safe Mode but not in "normal mode"? I have no idea. I really don't know.

Because it's not meant to be used by the average end user on an everyday basis, that's why. Safe Mode is just that... safe. It loads only the bare minimum needed to run Windows: Windows Classic, classic Start menu, likely no indexing, etc.

Proficient

Raikou Tch

Posted
Posted

They should definitely have it as an option in the RTM build. Why does it matter if only a certain percentage use it? Obviously they don't have to do much work if it's already in safe mode. It could be a "hidden" option in the Control Panel so as not to make new users confused when they see it, if that even matters. But I know a lot of people who love the classic start menu because of its simplicity.

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Kyang

Posted
Posted
They should definitely have it as an option in the RTM build. Why does it matter if only a certain percentage use it? Obviously they don't have to do much work if it's already in safe mode. It could be a "hidden" option in the Control Panel so as not to make new users confused when they see it, if that even matters. But I know a lot of people who love the classic start menu because of its simplicity.

I still don't understand how the classic start menu is really any simpler. It seems more complicated to have to scan over, and hover around a list of folders to get to the app one wants all the time, instead of just having pinned there for me whenever one needs it.

  • 4 weeks later...
Neowinian

Onyma

Posted
Posted
I still don't understand how the classic start menu is really any simpler. It seems more complicated to have to scan over, and hover around a list of folders to get to the app one wants all the time, instead of just having pinned there for me whenever one needs it.

If you're managing over 200 installed apps like I am on my development machine, and you have always taken the care to sort them into hierarchical groups... then you'd understand why being forced to use the new start menu format is a big problem.

Mentor

Kyang

Posted
Posted
If you're managing over 200 installed apps like I am on my development machine, and you have always taken the care to sort them into hierarchical groups... then you'd understand why being forced to use the new start menu format is a big problem.

What I was trying to point out was that, at a certain point where there are a lot of applications, it's just unwieldy to even try to navigate the start menu, and shortcuts should probably just be pinned somewhere.

I found it annoying to navigate the new start menu even when I only had to scroll down once, at which point I just started pinning the shortcuts to the desktop and start menu.

I can see where a lot of applications can start to become difficult, since even with small icons, the new start menu can only pin so many shortcuts.

Mentor

UncleSpellbinder

Posted
Posted
Just more change for change sake, by arrogant people who didn't learn a damn thing from the Vista fiasco and still think that their way is the only way.

Onward towards the future. AWAY from the antiquated past.

Grand Master

Udedenkz

Posted
Posted
Just more change for change sake, by arrogant people who didn't learn a damn thing from the Vista fiasco and still think that their way is the only way.

Well put... this is like signature quote worthy...

But, I do like the start menu instant search run feature. I use it to search forrun things.

The few things that I personally dislike are,

- Search GUI and Options

- Fat GUI Borders

- Horribly ugly look without glass effect - seriously did they fire the guy who made Royale? (I wish there was Royale for 7...)

- Start -> All Programs being in this little box, not ergonomic (if that the right word to use)

- Without recent documents, menu looks like a lot of waster space... I do not get why start menu would not just compress itself.

- I have not found out how to make the quick launch icons STAY next to the start button.

- I have found no ability to make start search into start run. (once again search results in a tiny box are not cool)

- remove zoom-in / zoom-out effect from 3D TAB thing (whatever it is called)

Tiny list? You can make it as large as you want:

11973773.jpg

That is pretty damn ugly.

  • 1 month later...
Neowinian

psyalemao

Posted
Posted

Well most people maybe like the classic menu because have lots of programs and don't record the name of all programs and can be more familiar with the icon of the progam. Then typing the name of the program is a no go. If there would be a possibility to auto-show All programs when open the start menu would be very nice.

Guest xiphi

Posted
Posted
Well most people maybe like the classic menu because have lots of programs and don't record the name of all programs and can be more familiar with the icon of the progam. Then typing the name of the program is a no go. If there would be a possibility to auto-show All programs when open the start menu would be very nice.

Even if they can't remember the name of the program, the newer start menu is still much better. I no longer lose my position and have to start over when navigating through the menus like I used to when using the old cascading menus.

Neowinian

psyalemao

Posted
Posted
Even if they can't remember the name of the program, the newer start menu is still much better. I no longer lose my position and have to start over when navigating through the menus like I used to when using the old cascading menus.

well something that I must agree is that the Start menu is much more elegant than vista :)

Experienced

Titanium_NX

Posted
Posted

The whole idea behind windows is for a user experience, I for one can say that removing the classic start menu doesn't make it user friendly for my needs.

As said before those who use classic start and have their programs setup into folders so they know were things are this just doesn't make sense in 7.

Agreed if the programs always displayed in the new start menu under my folders at all times I may see things as a step in the right direction but as for now I cannot

and will not use 7 based on the start menu.

Big mistake for sales on Microsofts part seeing that my company with over 90 000 users world wide use classic start menu on about 60% of the machines.

Veteran

iamwhoiam

Posted
Posted
if they just keep all of these options in it leaves unnecessary code and features in the codebase of Windows.

They have more legacy code in Windows to worry about than classic mode. If they can keep compatability in there for 15+ year old programs, they could have left classic mode alone.

Proficient

Lord Zog

Posted
Posted
They have more legacy code in Windows to worry about than classic mode. If they can keep compatability in there for 15+ year old programs, they could have left classic mode alone.

Agreed.. I am all for stability and speed.. And I prefer the classic start menu as well.. :) Old fashioned I guess. :) I like basic navigation for my start menu be it Linux or Windows.. The new one is too fancy for my needs and I will have to get use to it, unless a reg hack or a program from StarDock comes out for it.. :) heh

  • 2 weeks later...
Neowinian

Sebastian.

Posted
Posted

I hope in the next release they will add more bling bling to it. Some strong nice blue LED's like - in every corner ..and maybe some shiny gold plate on desktop or on the orb. Lot's of GOLD .

And I hope they won't let you customize it and remove the gold. Anyone don't like this - the hell with them. We have to embrace the bright (golden) future. And stop living in the past.

Also some new ideas I had recently -offtopic - they should change the taste of beer and other food every few years. Don't you get bored with the food having the same taste ? Who would want themselves stack in the past ? Today yogurt could taste like yogurt - next year - could taste like a mushroom !!! Great ! Always something new to keep us excited.

Also - do you know that tons of CG artists in Hollywood - the ones making your favorite movies with dinosaurs and other special effects use new software with very old outdated UI. You don't believe they can't learn a few buttons or tricks in a new UI don't you ? - since they probably know more advanced software then anyone here.

They must be having a secret stupid reason for that.

Neowinian

paranoyd

Posted
Posted

I prefer the classic start menu as well since I organize my folders. Once organized I can find things much quicker and it just feels more logical to me then a constantly changing start menu. Also "personalized menus" were annoying as hell too, first thing I turned off in XP and Office. The Vista/Win7 start menu might be tolerable if for example when I disable "display recently opened programs" that I see the "All Programs" menu on first click. But what happens is I get a completely blank menu. So I still have to click twice to get to my programs, essentially slowing me down. Anyway since moving to Windows 7 form XP I just made more use of autohotkey to avoid the start menu as much as possible.

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