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How to bring the start button back to Windows 8
One of the most noticeable absences from the new Windows 8 interface is the Start button. You know, that little button in the lower left-hand corner that, when clicked, gives you quick access to your documents, photos and other software applications.
In Windows 8, it’s been replaced with the start screen. For some, the change is welcome. For others, they just want that darn Start button back.
Well if your in the latter group, you’re in luck. Thanks to a company called Stardock, you can have your Start button back in Windows 8 for a whopping $5.
Start8 does the trick
The program is called Start8 and it delivers on exactly what it promises. I know because I bought it and installed it on my Windows 8 laptop. Within seconds of installing it, I felt like I was home again.
I also love that Start8 is flexible enough to let you turn on and off certain Windows 8 features. For instance, you can choose to still boot to the Windows 8 start screen and only use the Start button in Desktop view. Or you can choose to have the computer boot directly into the Desktop view.
Same goes with the menus that appear when you click the Start button. You can choose between the old Windows 7 look and feel or a new sexy Windows 8 feel. Don’t like the Windows key on your keyboard always taking you back to the start screen? There’s an option for that too. Enable it and the Windows key goes back to doubling as your Start button.
Use it while you learn Windows 8
Even if you are committed to learning (and liking) the new Windows 8 interface, you can’t go wrong spending $5 on Start8 just to have a crutch to lean on when you can’t figure something out.
Re-enabling the Start button should have been a built-in option in Windows 8 but since it’s not, Start8 is the next best thing.
It is unfortunate that Microsoft has decided the user experience is not important, and the only way to get a start button back is to download and install some piece of software, which, in future updates from MS for Windows 8, may break and be unusable. It becomes something else to be maintained, rather than truly fixing the problem.
@SMKelmer, I agree. It should have been included as an option to re-enabled the Start button right out of the gate.
I’m at the point of buying a new desktop PC OR getting this one wiped and maybe upgrade the OS (currently XP Pro) to Windows 8. I’m wondering how well I’ll do with 8 considering I’ve never used 7. I know I certainly wouldn’t want to be without my Start button. Also 8 is really for touchscreen which, of course, I don’t have on a 2006 monitor. Maybe I should just have XP Pro re-installed and leave well enough alone?
One vital thing for me is Windows Explorer. I never want to be without access to how my computer is set up in a clear menu style. Does Windows 8 hide the Windows Explorer? [I use XP Pro in classic style.] If I lose access then I want no part of Windows 8. I use my Windows Explorer link daily.
Dorothy, I would definitely NOT upgrade your XP computer to Windows 8. There are too many issues to deal with. For starters you probably have a 32-bit system so you’ll have to seek out a Windows 8 32-bit upgrade when 64-bit is now the standard. Plus the drivers and other hardware on your computer may not even be supported under Windows 8. Either re-install Windows XP or wait until you get a new computer for Windows 8.
Unfortunately at some point I really do need to get a new laptop — this one is old and not working entirely well. I know I don’t want to change from XP to W8 because of the functions I need/want — I don’t want to have to buy a new version of Photoshop, or lose the ability to burn DVDs (video or data), etc.
Is it still possible to GET a new laptop with XP on it, or am I out of luck?
Thanks, Patric! I quite sure you are correct about having lots of problems. Six years in tech terms is eons. I’m not sure I want Windows 8 anyway, but I suppose I’ll have to deal with it some day. Right now I’d prefer to keep this computer and XP Pro, but I know eventually it will get “too old” like my Win98 computer did. I might keep it going for a bit longer though.
@penemuel I doubt you will be able to find a new laptop with Windows XP on it. In fact, Microsoft doesn’t even support XP any more. But I see no reason why you couldn’t get a new laptop with Windows 7 on it (Dell still offers this). The interface may be slightly different than XP but it is nowhere near as dramatic a change as it would be going to Windows 8.
I have recently bought a windows 8 laptop, it sure is a lot of getting used to. I have a kindle Fire HD, Ipad, smart phone. And use my devices quiye well. But 8 is different, and I had to use my sisters desktop. to access some sites, esp paying bills on line.
But I too miss my start button, and to hibernate mode