With Microsoft removing the Windows Start button and menu, many app developers took it upon themselves to help users to bring back that experience with different workarounds, like with ViStart that brings back the old orb and the Start menu to Windows 8, or by just simply adding a new toolbar in Windows Taskbar linking to all your programs, or with Start8.
Start8 is a piece of software from Stardock and it is one more way to bring back the Windows Start orb and menu to Windows 8, but with a little twist, because with this application you won’t get the traditional menu, instead you’ll get a smaller version of the new Metro style Start Screen, and for many people, this is going to look like as how the new Start Screen should have been from the beginning.
You’ll also get:
- Access to the Run and shutdown command with the right-click on orb.
- Choose a custom Start button image.
- Show full screen Metro style Start Screen.
Once you download and install Start8, you should see right away the Windows orb back in the Taskbar, when you click the orb, it will show the Apps section of the Windows 8 Start Screen, with the search box in the top-right corner to easily find your apps. Additionally you can scroll through all the installed apps using the scrollbar at the bottom of the menu.
If you bring the Charms Bar and click Start, it will also show the smaller version of Apps menu.
Start8 works well on Windows 8 Consumer Preview 32-bit or 64-bit version and it will not disrupt any Windows 8 feature — everything can still be used normally.
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Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].