This post was published ever before the release of Windows 10. We request you visit Windows 10 Start menu for Windows 8/7 article for exact looking Start menu.
We all know that soon after the release of Windows 8, a bunch of third-party free and paid programs were released to disable the newly introduced Metro Start screen and get back the good old Windows 7 style Start menu in Windows 8.
Even though I have covered almost all the free and paid Start menu applications out there for Windows 8/8.1 here on Into Windows, I have never used a third-party Start menu program for more than a day. I have installed these Start menu programs just for the sake of testing, and I always felt that the Start screen is more powerful and feature-rich when compared to the Start menu.
Last month, at its annual BUILD event, Microsoft announced for the first time since the release of Windows 8 that it would bring back the Start menu in a future update to Windows and also showed off the first glimpse of the Start menu that now includes live tiles on the right-side and all installed programs and apps on the left.
A lot of Windows 8/8.1 users who have ever installed or at least seen the pictures of Start Menu Reviver software will agree with me that the upcoming Windows Start menu looks pretty much similar to the Start menu offered by Start Menu Reviver program. In short, the future Windows Start menu looks identical to the Start Menu Reviver. That is, if you’re on Windows 8/8.1, you can get the Windows 9 style Start menu (or Windows 8.1 Update 2) in Windows 8/8.1 by just installing Start Menu Reviver program.
The good news is that the team behind Start Menu Reviver recently updated the program to version 2.0 with a couple of new features and improvements. The best thing about version 2.0 is that it’s much cleaner and even more beautiful. You can customize each and every tile by right-clicking on a tile and selecting appropriate options.
Start Menu reviver doesn’t restrict you from accessing the Start screen. You can continue using the Start screen by moving the mouse cursor to the bottom left corner of the screen and then clicking on the Start screen hint but pressing the Windows logo button on your keyboard takes you to the Start menu instead of Start screen.
Just like the initial version, this version of Start Menu Reviver also lets you customize the default look of the Start menu in a number of ways. You can add new tiles, change the default color of a tile, add/change tile description, and change the tile image.
Start Menu Reviver ships with a total of 11 Start buttons, allowing you to choose a button of your choice. Options to change the default size of the Start menu, what to show when you expand the menu, and also, options to change the theme color is present as well.
The extreme left pane on the Start menu includes shortcuts to Computer (My Computer), Control Panel, Run command, Task Manager, Libraries, and user folder.
Go and install Start Menu Reviver right now if you’re impressed with what it offers. And before you start punching me, let me tell you that the current version of the program is not perfect, just like any other software.
There is certainly room for improvement. Options to change the default background color of the Start menu (by changing the Start menu background we can make it look like the one shown by Microsoft at BUILD) and live Modern app tiles would make this program awesome. Also, I feel that the current version of the Start menu is a bit slower when compared to other Start menu programs.
We request you visit Windows 10 Start menu for Windows 8/7 article for exact looking Start menu.
Shrikant Rana says
Start Menu Reviver ships with a total of 11 Start buttons, allowing you to choose a button of your choice. Options to change the default size of the Start menu, what to show when you expand the menu, and also, options to change the theme color is present as well.
HQ says
Ya know… being a cheerleader for a bunch of UI losers doesn’t make you or the MS team ‘winners’.
That is UGLY. Looks vaguely similar to Windows 2.0 or 3.0… although the icons look more primitive. :-0
MS better get their heads out of each others arses up there in Redmond and focus on how to fix ‘MEVista8’.
Let users select either Desktop/Aero -OR- Metro. Melding them into one isn’t going to please anyone!
HINT: Linux/Unix decoupled the window & desktop managers from the core system 20+ years ago.
steve says
Ether ms gui team can not read or they are living somewhere else as we users !!!
Clasic strat menu like in xp and nothing else !!! Let user decide what and how to use not pro-described from ms !!! For not hearing user they deserve to go broke !!!
Crash says
Ah, I guess you can do 1/4 size Tiles, it wasn’t obvious how. A few more tweaks and it might be better than Start8, or a few of the other “Launchers”.
Crash says
It’s an interesting tool, and certainly does what it claims.
If only one could change dimensions on the App-Launch boxes:
* Normal (current size) – which is the only option unfortunately.
* 2x Width (and half height) – like the “All Apps” and “Start Screen” .
—> with an option to likewise include a 1/4 size button like those do.
* 1/4 Size (half height + half width).
As is, it’s even less customizable than the Microsoft Start Screen. And the App-Launch buttons are easily twice as big as they should be on a menu that size (which can’t be changed either, no width adjustment).
If only Microsoft would allow the Start Screen to *actually* be customizable.
E.g.
Multiple Start Screens.
—> Switch between them via swipe/drag or a “Start Screen Folder/container”
Allow hide/display groups via mouse, or assignable hotkey.
Windows 8 is such a disappointment. The least customizable Windows OS since DOS :-)
I’m pretty sure I had more options and tools to tweak Windows 98 than I do now.
To remove both classic windows customization AND Aero … geezus.
Anon says
This UI looks more like Linux GUI from 90s. MS is going backward anyway officially with their flat, bland and tasteless color scheme anyways. So no wonder with all these crap ugly mockups. I will stick with my StartisBack plus classic start menu. That works and looks plain efficient rather than putting all these app crap on.
Jakob Montgomery says
Eww it is so ugly, cluttered and hard to identify. I will stick with the superb Classic Shell.