Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Get Start Button (ORB) and Classic Start Menu Back, Load Desktop on Login and Disable Hot Spots in Windows 8


We all know that Microsoft has removed the good old Start button and Start Menu from Windows 8.

Start Menu and Start button were 2 essential components of Windows OS but Microsoft has replaced them with new Start Screen. Start Screen is not a perfect and complete replacement for Start Menu.

start8 for windows 8





















Start8 is a freeware from Stardock Corporation for Windows 8 which brings back Start button (ORB) and Start Menu in Windows 8 and also allows you to skip Metro Start Screen and load Windows Desktop on login. It can also disable hot spots (or hot corners) in Windows 8 such as Charms Bar, App Switcher, etc.

As soon as you install the software, it immediately adds the Start ORB to Taskbar and when you click on it, you get a Windows 7 look-like Start Menu in Windows 8 as shown in the screenshot.





This Windows 7 style Start Menu comes with many useful features such as:

  1. You can search for Windows 8 Metro apps using Start Menu
  2. You can access Start Screen from Start Menu
  3. Provides full support for Jump Lists
  4. Automatically matches Taskbar color
  5. You can pin Desktop and Metro apps to Start Menu
Also when you right-click on the Start ORB, you get following options (some options will not show if you are using new Windows 7 style Start Menu).

If you enable "On login go to the desktop" option, you'll be able to skip new Metro Start Screen on login and Windows 8 will boot directly into Desktop.

"Disable Windows 8 desktop hotspots" option allows you to disable Windows 8 hot corners such as Start button thumbnail, App Switcher and Charms Bar.

Using 3rd option "Pick a different Start Button image", you can change Start ORB image. The software comes with many built-in ORB images.




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