Windows 8 Users - Do You Use a Start Menu Replacement?

Do you use a Start Menu replacement?

  • Yes, I use a Start Menu replacement.

    Votes: 47 39.5%
  • No, I prefer the native Modern UI.

    Votes: 55 46.2%
  • I use a different OS.

    Votes: 9 7.6%
  • No opinion / see results.

    Votes: 8 6.7%

  • Total voters
    119
I said no. I like Modern UI. My wife hates it, so she uses Start Menu 8. At work, we put a different one. It does seem that a lot of people are always asking me what one to use, how to get Start menu back, etc.. I feel like an outcast being one of the few people that actually prefer the Modern UI on Windows 8.
 
The Start Screen/App Screen does have it's advantages. I doubt for the average person it really matters as much as this issue has been hyped. Probably on the big issues are the links on the right of the Start Men, most of which are accessible in the Quick Menu, which a lot of people still don't know is there.
 
Metro is horrible. There is nothing I dread more than having to scroll horizontally through the Apps menu to find a program.

I ended up just creating a makeshift Start menu using the taskbar's toolbar feature.
 
I just have "All apps" as the start button. Native windows 8.1

All Apps has improved a bit in Update 1. There's an option now to put more on the screen so the listing is quite a bit denser. And you can now click on a heading and go into semantic zoom. If one were really lost and had no idea what app or program they were looking for, this is better than tiny hierarchal folder structures. But it is also like the most inefficient way to launch something, be it Windows 7 or 8. A much easier way to launch something is from the beginning of the Start Screen or from the taskbar. That makes it easy to launch a LOT of apps and programs, much more than the average person probably would ever run.
 
Don't use one on my home Win 8.1. At work I have Win 7 and don't use the Start button anyway.

Win 8 = Windows Key + X Can get to everything.
 
All Apps has improved a bit in Update 1. There's an option now to put more on the screen so the listing is quite a bit denser. And you can now click on a heading and go into semantic zoom. If one were really lost and had no idea what app or program they were looking for, this is better than tiny hierarchal folder structures. But it is also like the most inefficient way to launch something, be it Windows 7 or 8. A much easier way to launch something is from the beginning of the Start Screen or from the taskbar. That makes it easy to launch a LOT of apps and programs, much more than the average person probably would ever run.

I don't really ever use it tbh.
I use search and I have my main programs on my task bar.

I rarely deviate from 5 or so programs.
Probably the most common thing I use not on my taskbar is HW monitor. Even that is fairly rare. Just for the odd checkup.

How many programs do people use?

Don't use one on my home Win 8.1. At work I have Win 7 and don't use the Start button anyway.

Win 8 = Windows Key + X Can get to everything.

This^
Better than W7 start.
 
My main rig is still on Win8.0 with Ex7ForW8 and will stay there, my Win 8.1 and 2012R2 VM's are on StartIsBack, but only because the updates to 8.1 and 2012R2 break Ex7ForW8. And the whole rigamarole is a prime example of why Enterprise isn't going to stake their desktop computing on Win8 with a third party hack to re-enable a start menu: because Microsoft could break it at a moment's notice in the very next windows update or patch.
 
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How many programs do people use?

This goes to heart of the reason why I think the Start Screen/Start Menu is overhyped. The Start Screen combined with the taskbar is an every effective to way to launch at least 50+ applications quickly with point and click at common resolution of 1366x766, and that's beyond rare and no worse than 7. If one has to resort to actually looking through an endless list of apps and programs, the Apps Screen is far superior to using the Start Menu in Windows 7.
 
And the whole rigamarole is a prime example of why Enterprise isn't going to stake their desktop computing on Win8 with a third party hack to re-enable a start menu: because Microsoft could break it at a moment's notice in the very next windows update or patch.

I see your point but you act as though businesses don't relay on a bazillion 3rd party tools that could break in the next update or patch, indeed that's not exactly an uncommon thing. Still, there's not really anything about the Start Menu that makes much easier for businesses in terms of productivity over the Start Screen other than familiarity.
 
I have Windows 8.1 on both my desktop and netbook, but I found that I prefer Windows 7. I haven't put it back on either computer because I don't want to spend the time.

I don't use a start menu replacement, not because I prefer the native Modern UI, but because I'm too lazy to research which one would work best for me.

Weird response, I know.
 
I use Oblytile, makes my tiles look pretty (anime pictures for nearly every icon :D yes, I'm an otaku, don't kill me).
 
Why use some half-assed Start Menu replacement when Windows 8.x already comes with a superior, full on Start Menu replacement? Where have you been the last few years? Hasn't anyone told you about the new Start Screen in Windows 8.x? It can do all kinds of things the old Start Menu could only dream of doing!
 
Hasn't anyone told you about the new Start Screen in Windows 8.x? It can do all kinds of things the old Start Menu could only dream of doing!

Except stay off to the side and out of the way and not rip me out of my workflow by covering up everything I'm working on. Example, To figure out what folder a file is in is not so complicated that it needs to take over THE ENTIRE SCREEN to display the results. The irony of course is the search results on the metro screen just end up limited to a small area anyway. Ponderous.
 
I use Oblytile, makes my tiles look pretty (anime pictures for nearly every icon :D yes, I'm an otaku, don't kill me).

just for the record Mr. Tsumi: i freaking love anime! omg! i have a fuckton of it! :D
 
Native UI. When I need to find an app that I haven't pinned, I just do a quick search for it. Doesn't impede my "workflow" whatsover.
 
Still, there's not really anything about the Start Menu that makes much easier for businesses in terms of productivity over the Start Screen other than familiarity.

That's pretty subjective, though. For some, the Start Screen just won't work for them. Familiar or not, they can learn it and use it, but for them it's not any easier. The Start Menu is much easier for them. If it because it's familiar? Possibly.
 
That's pretty subjective, though. For some, the Start Screen just won't work for them.

I agree but often the reasons that people state don't exactly jive with the facts. So many concentrate so hard on avoiding the new UI that they don't know how it works and never adjusted to it. I understand that many do want to know how it works or adjust to it, but it can be used effectively with a mouse and keyboard by those that did take some time to figure it out and adjust to it.
 
I'm not crazy about the wording of the "no" option. It's not that I prefer the Start Screen to the Start Menu: it's just that it's what's there.

I'll argue that the Start Screen is a cool thing for the intense UI customizer, but I'm just not that person. Ergo, I can go either way.
 
Nah, I don't. I keep my most common programs on the start screen/taskbar and the "fake" start button they added back gets me to my All Programs list...which is just like a start button.
 
The Start Menu is much easier for them. If it because it's familiar? Possibly.

Start menu = 1/12 as obtrusive as the Metro start screen. That may just have something to do with it. Also far less eye travel. When you work for 8-12hrs per day on a computer these nuances add up.

Metro may be a different way of working, and some people may choose to tolerate these jarring transitions to a fullscreen consisting of 80-90% negative/empty space, but MS has not demonstrated how its a better way , except of course for tablet users.
 
I use a select few icons and folders on my desktop, same as I've done since Windows 3.1. I've disabled all the hot corners (except for Start) and placed Shutdown, Restart and Settings icons on the Metro interface. I only go to Metro interface to shutdown, restart or change computer settings.
 
There was no "no i don't use start menus". So I voted "no opinion".

I do everything with run command or start menu quick search (which works exactly like windows 7 in windows 8, press start button on keyboard + type + enter.)
 
Start menu = 1/12 as obtrusive as the Metro start screen. That may just have something to do with it. Also far less eye travel. When you work for 8-12hrs per day on a computer these nuances add up.

I work with 2 24" monitors at work. With 7, the Start Menu didn't obscure the screen when I needed to quickly launch a program. Start Screen does. There are a few of these little things that are minor in themselves, but like you said - they add up.

I like the Start Screen. But, I can't argue with what you've said. You are right. It's not horrible, but those minor things add up at the end of the day.
 
I work with 2 24" monitors at work. With 7, the Start Menu didn't obscure the screen when I needed to quickly launch a program. Start Screen does. There are a few of these little things that are minor in themselves, but like you said - they add up.

I like the Start Screen. But, I can't argue with what you've said. You are right. It's not horrible, but those minor things add up at the end of the day.

Here's the thing about the full screen argument. So one's eye have to scan more area, but doesn't that kind of contradict the point that the whole screen is used and obscuring other things? In other words you're looking at the whole screen and not just the Start Menu if you're worried about the Start Screen covering the whole screen.

I have no issues with something non-full screen like the Start Menu being put back into Windows, there's certainly a place for it. One area where the Start Screen does become problematic is with large virtual resolutions like Eyefinity and Surround. Three screens for the Start Screen becomes is silly in those cases. I just think that a lot of the issues surrounding the Start Screen are pretty contrived. If one doesn't like they don't like it. But the idea that somehow the Start Menu is inherently easier to deal with on desktops because it small list of static icons that doesn't require as much eye or mouse movement I think is a bit specious. I can more readily agree that it is jarring, at least initially, but again, once you actually use it, it's simply not anywhere near as problematic as many opponents say.
 
Here's the thing about the full screen argument. So one's eye have to scan more area, but doesn't that kind of contradict the point that the whole screen is used and obscuring other things? In other words you're looking at the whole screen and not just the Start Menu if you're worried about the Start Screen covering the whole screen.

I've never understood the 'jarring transition' argument or the 'it's full screen so it hides my work' arguments. They don't make sense to me. If I wanted to look at Eclipse or Visual Studio or Excel or whatever I had open, I wouldn't open the start screen in the first place. If I have it open, it's because I'm doing something other than looking at whatever I was working on, like opening something else. When I hit the windows key, I'm expecting the start screen to come up, so it isn't jarring at all. And when I want the start screen, it's because I want something in either it or search, not because I'm trying to look at Excel or Visual Studio or something else it could 'hide'. It doesn't matter that it takes up the full screen, because I'm not stupid enough to open the start screen when I want to be looking at Excel or something else. If you didn't want to look at the start screen, why did you open it in the first place? It's always just sounded like people looking for things to complain about. I can't imagine what people must actually do with their computers if the things they complain about are really problems for them. Life must be hard for them, and they might do well starring in an infomercial about how hard it is to boil pasta.
 
Mostly I use Win7, but on the one system that does have Win8 on it, I use a start menu replacement, change my defaults to use non Metro apps, uninstalling said apps where possible, and use the god mode folder to get all of my settings in one spot.
The Metro UI and apps hold little use for me on my non touchscreen devices, and I have little use for windows on my tablets/phones. That kind of leaves metro out in the cold afaic.
 
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Well, I don't use any replacements...but I use the "All Apps" start menu and I got my windows 8.1 to boot directly to desktop!! I like the modern UI though it has some bugs!!
 
Hated metro until I realized that I was just a graphical start menu. I put all my program shortcuts there in customized categories. It's so much faster to hit the windows button and quickly click the application I'm wanting than to click start - all programs - then dig through a huge tree of program folders and files. I can't use a start menu anymore.

The only people I know who haven't figured this out yet are people like my mom who have 50 icons on her desktop and navigate that way. I can't stand having any icon on my desktop except files that I'm currently working on, and the recycling bin.
 
I've never understood the 'jarring transition' argument or the 'it's full screen so it hides my work' arguments. They don't make sense to me. If I wanted to look at Eclipse or Visual Studio or Excel or whatever I had open, I wouldn't open the start screen in the first place. If I have it open, it's because I'm doing something other than looking at whatever I was working on, like opening something else. When I hit the windows key, I'm expecting the start screen to come up, so it isn't jarring at all. And when I want the start screen, it's because I want something in either it or search, not because I'm trying to look at Excel or Visual Studio or something else it could 'hide'. It doesn't matter that it takes up the full screen, because I'm not stupid enough to open the start screen when I want to be looking at Excel or something else. If you didn't want to look at the start screen, why did you open it in the first place? It's always just sounded like people looking for things to complain about. I can't imagine what people must actually do with their computers if the things they complain about are really problems for them. Life must be hard for them, and they might do well starring in an infomercial about how hard it is to boil pasta.

I agree. I do try to look at things from other perspectives though and while I don't agree what the Start Screen inhibits productivity and work flow, it is a different experience than the Start Menu. But there are so many complaints about the Start Screen that a mini-Start Screen Start Menu analog I think is pretty much a must for Windows 9. And that's ok, it would be much better for large virtual resolutions. But hopefully it is a modern design, there's no need to bring back the old Start Menu, in fact I think it would be kind of dumb because people would no doubt ask why the Start Menu wasn't bought back sooner.
 
I had bought Start 8 back when Win 8 released. Been using it ever since.

Between Rocket Dock/ WinX menu/ Pinned shortcuts on the desktop, I'm all set.

Tried to get with the Start Screen but its bothersome for me as I have my keyboard on a drawer and never look at it (gotta love the home row).

Would also state I disable the windows store, uninstall every win8 app I can, don't use a MS account for one drive and all that BS. Just tonight I realized that there is no built in Outlook Express (but there is a app for that) as I've been migrating my e-mail account. I usually stay a few steps behind till they figure what the hell they are doing (which is like never!)
 
I use a start button. Even with a touch screen laptop I find the modern ui to worse to use with just my finger. The swipe from the right to access quick settings however is nice.
 
Missing poll option: "No, but that doesn't mean I like it."

Been forcing myself to use the start screen in 8 for months now, hoping it would grow on me. Hoping I would see it's mystical advantages.

Nope. It still bugs me.

That said, it doesn't bug me enough to motivate me to install one of the replacements. As much as I find the start screen distasteful, I find third party add ons worse ( it's a thing ).
 
I'm curious how many Windows 8 supporters/proponents use a Start Menu.

Just having Win 8 doesn't make you a supporter or proponent.

Do I use it? Yeah.

Do I use a start menu program? I did. I do not currently because I'm trying to see if the BSoD issues I had re-appear after a clean reinstall without using the start menu tool...
 
Tried to get with the Start Screen but its bothersome for me as I have my keyboard on a drawer and never look at it (gotta love the home row).

What does that have to do with liking the Start Screen?
 
Don't use one on my home Win 8.1. At work I have Win 7 and don't use the Start button anyway.

Win 8 = Windows Key + X Can get to everything.

You can also just right click on start button in windows 8.1 desktop, that's how i do it as i'm usually to lazy to reach over and use the keyboard
 
I use ClassicShell on Windows 7 (and 8, on those rare occasions I'm forced to use it). This is how I like to have it configured:

hz5d.jpg


Classic style with the Aero glass skin. It's simple, fast, and clean-looking. You can even add Start Search to it if you want but I never use it.

It works fine on touch devices, too. On my 10" tablet I just pin frequently-used apps at the top. There's no need for the Modern-UI abortion at all.
 
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