Re-Claim the Desktop from Windows 8

In the review of Windows 8 it was noted that one of the main changes to the desktop that is available for users is the lack of a start menu.  This is a change that will baffle most users, especially those that don’t accept the new Metro system as their main interface with Windows.  As this is created with touch screens in mind most users who don’t have this functionality may not accept the change.

There is an app though that can bring back the start menu for people who still want it.  Stardock offer an application called Start8 which will let you bring back your start menu and re-claim the desktop in the Consumer or Release preview of Windows 8.  Whether it will still work when the final version of Windows 8 is released though can’t be confirmed.

Using Start 8 to Re-claim the Desktop

The way to get this is actually quite easy and just requires you to install the software from here (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/).  Once it is downloaded then all you have to do is install it onto your computer and you will be given a number of options with how to change Windows 8 to meet your needs.

These changes include re-adding the start menu, quicker access to installed applications, adding a “Run…” and “shutdown” items on the right-click menu options and being able to customise the action start menu.  Along with these you can also force Windows to start into the desktop mode instead of being taken to your start screen.

As stated these changes work on Windows 8 Consumer and Release preview only.  These changes are not made to run on Windows 7 for example.  If these changes are still available for Windows 8 when it is finally released this will improve the usability of Windows 8, especially for users who are used the normal desktop interface that Microsoft have offered since the introduction of Windows 95.

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