Microsoft may finally bring back full Start menu with Windows 8.2

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:14 am

http://news.yahoo.com/microsoft-may-fin ... 23052.html

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 7:44 am

?.........it's there now with 8.1 (a painless update too I might add).
Don't see a problem with it either.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 7:51 am

The FULL start menu - including the old programs list. 8.1 just gives you a Start button, and it brings up the new Metro programs/app list.

Looks like 8.2 will have the option of defaulting ONLY to the desktop and to run Metro apps in a window if you don't want to use the Metro desktop.

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 10:26 am

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 1:05 pm

FlyingPenguin wrote:The FULL start menu - including the old programs list. 8.1 just gives you a Start button, and it brings up the new Metro programs/app list.

Looks like 8.2 will have the option of defaulting ONLY to the desktop and to run Metro apps in a window if you don't want to use the Metro desktop.

It occurred to me that I installed an add-on start menu program before (with Win8). Pretty sure it's program you listed here soon after Win8 came out.

Needless to say, it was also easy and painless too install, has choices for several different types of full start menus (I opted for Win7 as that's still my favorite OS) and I only see that metro BS if I want to (never), go to the corners.

BillyGoat · Post by **BillyGoat** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 1:38 am

real start menu is the only thing keeping windows 8 from being a computer OS, the sooner the better

CaterpillarAssassin · Post by **CaterpillarAssassin** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 6:18 pm

the windows 8 start screen is useless on non touch pcs. heres hoping they bring it back. otoh, i like the start screen when used on my surface2

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 7:36 pm

Don't see it posted here but for those here who have Win8, 8.1 (or were thinking about it but....) and want a full start menu, here's one that I found. Not sure if it's exactly what I have but it'll do the job. No need to wait or post-pone upgrading (IF that's the only reason):

http://www.classicshell.net/

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 9:13 am

Yeah, Classic Shell is what I use, and if you haven't updated it recently, the latest version supports true drag and drop in the start menu now.

If you want a start button that looks EXACTLY like Win7 (the ones that come with Classic Shell look a bit funky) here's the one I use:
http://soldcentralfl.com/bob/Start_Button.png

There's a setting in classic shell to pick the start button, and an option to import a graphic image. Just drop that file somewhere on the hard drive so Classic Shell can always find it. I just put it in the Classic Shell folder under Program Files.

Then what I do is have classic shell hide ALL Windows 8 corner and side hotspots, including charms, and bypass the metro screen on bootup.

Another thing you have to do is change the file associations so they never launch metro apps. I carry around a bunch of test files on my flash drive (BMP, PNG, TIFF, JPG, MP3, WMV, WMA, PDF) and launch each one using "Open with..." and force the association to be a desktop app. You'll never see the Metro desktop again unless you launch it yourself.

All my clients running Win8 have opted for this, and I have my own laptop and gaming PC setup this way.

The only other hassle with Win8 is UEFI & Secure Boot boot. It's a real pain if you're a techie and like to be able to easily boot from CDs or flash drives to run utilities or imaging software. Not to mention that most imaging software isn't compatible with Secure Boot.

On all my own Win8 PCs I have installed Win8 in legacy BIOS mode, which makes life a LOT easier.

UEFI PROS:
- Allows you to boot from 3TB and larger drives (will be partitions as GPT instead of MBR)
- Boots (slightly) faster than legacy BIOS because it bypasses the BIOS boot screens
- Supports secure boot which is supposed to protect you from rootkits and BIOS trojans, but which has been shown to be not as secure as claimed

UEFI CONS:
- On most PCs there is no easy way to access UEFI BIOS outside of the OS, unless the OS fails to boot. You have to launch the BIOS menu from within Windows.
- Secure boot is not compatible with many disk and imaging utilites. Unless they've fixed it, Acronis 2013 still does not work with it even though it was advertised as such (and lots of people bitching about it on their forums because Acronis basically has said full support may not come until 2014 version, and won't be a free upgrade). You have to disable secure boot (and sometimes UEFI) in order to boot Acronis or Spinrite in legacy BIOS mode. A real pain.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:22 pm

Anyone here use a newer PC running Win8 and with a touch screen? I have to think that maybe then the whole metro desktop wouldn't seem so bad. Maybe one of these days I'll stop by at Best Buy and play with one to see for myself.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 2:02 pm

It works great on a tablet. Really great. 10 years from now history may show that it was a brilliant move for tablets.

On a laptop or an all-in-one you use it a few times and then use the mouse from then on.

It's just not practical on a desktop and barely practical on a laptop. Nice that it's there on a laptop if supported, but I can live without it.

The problem is that a mouse will always be easier if available. If touch was so great why aren't we all using touch pads on our desktops?

I have a client just the other day, and I had to do a Win8 factory reset on her Acer all-in-one. She told me to do the full Classic Shell monty - she never wants to see the metro desktop again. She tried it, but eventually her arms would get tired and it's just easier to keep your hands near the mouse and keyboard.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 9:29 pm

Win8 Start Menu Proof of Concept Art:

This is an independent designer who came up with an idea to better integrate Metro and the Classic desktop months ago. I like his designs. One can only hope Microsoft adopts his ideas.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/12/5203 ... nu-concept

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