How to get the classic Start Menu back in Win 8 RTM?

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by debin, Aug 24, 2012.

  1. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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    I had used ViStart on Developer Preview and had several problem also wasn't able for to configure as I like to have the Start Menu. That's done with Classic Start Menu 3.x and now 3.6 for Windows 8 very well.

    For sure not everybody will like that or that, it's personal what someone like or not and that's good. What would be the world if everybody loves or hate the exact same things?o_O
     
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  2. bk109

    bk109 MDL Senior Member

    Aug 12, 2012
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    Well,it'll definitely be simpler XD
    I did link it because some people just are a bit hesitant to play with ClassicShell and so they can use it instead to get the good ol' start menu. As for the bugs, this version should be better,but from the 5 minutes of using it,I noticed that ViStart still doesn't play well with a taskbar with quicklaunch (Yes,I'm one of those people that still want to have it around XD),because it still covers the first 2 or 3 icons from it.
     
  3. pendularium

    pendularium MDL Novice

    Aug 25, 2012
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    I have tried Start8, ViStart, and Classic Shell (in that order).

    Start8 looked nice visually, but didn't really give the traditional start menu functionality and seemed somewhat buggy.

    ViStart certainly looked the part, but if I remember correctly, it didn't even allow for a right click on 'Computer' to bring up the properties option that would allow navigation to the Control Panel\System and Security\System screen, and there were several other little things like that which made me dislike it.

    Classic Shell needs a bit of tweaking to look and function how I want it to, but the beauty of it is that it's customizable in the extreme. With the exception of the placement of the little user picture that half way sticks off the top of the start menu in Windows 7 (with Aero enabled), it mimics both the form and function of previous start menus. In fact, it's probably an improvement in that you have even more options for tweaking.

    So for me, I would have to say that Classic Shell is currently the best choice for start menu resurrection. I used a tutorial from 'Tweaking with Vishal' entitled "Download Classic Shell Skin to Get Windows 7 Look-Like Start Menu and Start Button in Windows 8" which gives you the windows 7 start menu look and logo so the only tweaking you have to do is to customize the links to match your preferences or current Windows start menu.
     
  4. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

    Aug 31, 2009
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    I solved it this way.
    The main idea is, that user could be able to customize all settings and icons at his workplace:
    Final_Stage.jpg
    I also made a nice pack containing about 15 custom mods, which forces Windows 8 to behave like Windows 7 (no EXE or DLL mods, just nice workarounds).
    I can post a link if anybody is interested.
     
  5. steven4554

    steven4554 MDL Expert

    Jul 12, 2009
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  6. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

    Aug 31, 2009
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    Did they already removed the dependency of their solution to skip Metro a boot on the option displaying their Start menu?
     
  7. steven4554

    steven4554 MDL Expert

    Jul 12, 2009
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    No, the option to skip the Start Screen, and go straight to the desktop is still there.
     
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  8. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

    Aug 31, 2009
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    I meant something else:
    The "Skip Metro" option didn't worked when the "show Start menu" option was disabled.
     
  9. Boyfriend

    Boyfriend MDL Senior Member

    Feb 10, 2010
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    Sure. If it will not auto start (show start menu), it can't 'Skip Metro' :cool:
     
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  10. myhken

    myhken Experienced MDL Tester

    Feb 28, 2010
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  11. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

    Aug 31, 2009
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    But these are two difference things, "Skip Metro" is done by system service, while Start menu is regular EXE file...
     
  12. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

    Aug 31, 2009
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    nice kid, is she your daughter? :)

    BTW: Could you enable Skip Metro option without displaying Start Menu as I wrote above? Thanks. :)
     
  13. juan71287

    juan71287 MDL Novice

    Aug 14, 2012
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    Hey guys, how can I get this to look like the WINDOWS 7 image? start01.jpg
     
  14. Daz

    Daz MDL Developer / Admin
    Staff Member

    Jul 31, 2009
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    It's nice to see that they've made Start8 into an actual start menu now and not a smaller "Modern UI" menu.
     
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  15. naseap

    naseap MDL Senior Member

    Jul 25, 2009
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    I just tried the Start8 and after using the Metro style of Windows I don't think I like the old start menu anymore. I never thought I would think this but I like the new Metro style of Windows. JMHO
     
  16. freestart

    freestart MDL Novice

    Mar 8, 2008
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    Hi,

    please I am interested, thanks!

    Best Regards
     
  17. soulasassin

    soulasassin MDL Novice

    Aug 31, 2012
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    probably because on non touchscreen systems the metro ui is possibly the most non intuitive interface microsoft could have possibly developed. the fact that tools to disable metro have been made available before windows 8 is even released is testament to how much a lot of people simply dont want it.