Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Replacing Windows 8's Missing Start Menu

Posted by samzenpus on from the give-me-something dept.

jfruh writes "The Start Button, which has offered Windows users quick access to important programs, folders, and configuration options since 1995 and has looked more or less the same for all that time, has been re-engineered beyond recognition for Windows 8, replaced by a Start Screen of colorful Metro tiles that greets the user upon startup. One big problem: once you enter Desktop mode to access non-Metro apps, you lose easy access to all the stuff you expect from the Start Button. This has given rise to something of a cottage industry for Start Button replacements, with multiple replacement utilities available even before Windows 8 officially arrives."

7 of 396 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why use Win 8 anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Sure you can do that. Also you will get left behind.

    Figure out their gui now. Or when you do switch out it will suck... Many have a shock when they go from xp to win7. It is different. But not widely different like win8 is. So you have a 1-2 day 'where did they put it' curve. Win8... I am going to have fun walking family thru that...

    Like being left behind from a train wreck.

  2. Re:As a tech guy get used to it by Big+Hairy+Ian · · Score: 3, Funny

    Some of us have clients who use Vista so we don't really have a choice :(

    --

    Build a Man a Fire, and He'll Be Warm for a Day. Set a Man on Fire, and He'll Be Warm for the Rest of His Life.

  3. Not too much, please... by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 3, Funny

    Another question has yet to be answered: in Windows 8, is the BSOD still Blue? I mean, losing the emblematic Start button is one thing, but if the BSOD disappears as well, users will be really disoriented...

    --
    Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
  4. Re:how about by Tim+Ward · · Score: 4, Funny

    are alternating good or crap

    And Pink Floyd albums.

  5. Replace what's missing by multi+io · · Score: 4, Funny

    Replacing Windows 8's Missing Start Menu

    How do you replace something that's not there? Wouldn't you be *adding* it instead?

  6. Re:how about by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Funny

    And thank god for that. There were no more lyrics like "I've got a bike, such a pretty little bike, it's nice."

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  7. Re:how about by synapse7 · · Score: 3, Funny

    To be fair, Windows 8 under the bonnet is pretty damn good. Boot times, responsiveness, file copying, the task manager are significantly better on windows 8 than 7.

    This is like saying, she has a nice personality.