How To Get The Classic Start Menu in Windows 8 – 4 Alternatives

Windows 8 brought with it a lot of changes, both cosmetic and internal. Most of the changes like faster boot times were received well, but a lot of people just couldn’t adjust with the Modern UI. The lack of a Start menu like previous editions of Windows didn’t sit too well either. So if a start menu is all you’re missing in the new version of Windows, we’re going to tell you 4 alternatives that will bring back the classic start menu in Windows 8!

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4 Tools That Bring Back the Classic Start Menu in Windows 8:

Classic Shell

Classic Shell is a free tool that brings back not only a Windows 7-esque start menu, but lets you add even a Windows 2000 or Windows XP style start menu if you’re feeling nostalgic. Furthermore, it also brings back the classic Explorer user interface. For those who really want to get rid of the Modern UI, there’s also an option which allows you to boot directly to desktop without having to see the new Windows 8 start menu. No matter what classic start menu in Windows 8 style you choose though, you can customize and skin it to your hearts content!

IOBit StartMenu8 

IOBit StartMenu8 is another tool that brings back the classic start menu in Windows 8. It lets you do most of the things that Classic Shell does, but has a better reproduction of the Windows 7 start menu. It can also let you skip to desktop on boot, disable hot corners and hide the charms bar. It’s a great alternative if all you’re looking for is a Windows 7 like boot and start menu, only faster of course.

StartW8

StartW8 is probably the most plain Jane of the bunch and basically just adds a start menu with no other frills. The menu itself adopts the matte like Windows 8 visual style and the only other thing it does is let you skip to desktop directly on login. There’s no right click functionality, but the Search function works well.

Pokki

While these tools bring back the classic start menu in Windows 8, Pokki goes above and beyond the call of duty, so to speak. Pokki is more than just a replica of the classic start menu, it’s a complete replacement. It displays installed programs, the search bar, pinned items and even has its own widgets. For example you can get a little GMail widget that displays mails on the start menu. Also, the search bar is not only limited to your computer, it searches the internet as well. Plus is also lets you boot into desktop mode directly and can disable hot corners as well, hot damn!

So those were the few ways to get back the classic start menu in Windows 8, do let us know if you’ve come across more tools that do the same and um, don’t ask us any questions because we won’t answer them. Just kidding, that’s what we’re here for!