The absence of Start Menu in Windows 8 has been highly noticed. The Replacement of the Start Orb with the Start Screen has received mixed reviews from the users. Few of them simply hate the idea of changing the way you interact with the operating system completely, while on the other hand others have supported the move, considering it as a futuristic step. Anyhow, like everything else, developers have shown up with third party applications that allows the Windows 8 Start Orb to be back on to the desktop. It lets the users to have the very familiar Start Menu back, along with the enjoyment of the new features of the Metro interface. You might consider them as tools for making the transition from the Start Menu to the Start Screen feasible and easier task for you. You already have seen start8, an application made for Windows 8 that adds a Start Orb, which opens up a Metro style Start Menu. You must know that we have another application labeled as Power8 that does the same function, i.e., adding a Start Menu to the Windows 8 Desktop. Anyhow, the interface of Start8 was based on Metro, Power8 carries a Windows 7-styled look.
The main issue with the previously released apps of the same category is that once the Start Orb/ Start Menu is installed, whenever you move your mouse to the lower left corner of your screen in order to access the menu, the Switch List pops up. It gets quite annoying, since it makes you move the cursor very carefully so that you could avoid wrong clicks when you are trying to access the Start Menu. On the other hand, Power8, provides you with a built-in option that allows you to turn off the metro features, making it a comparatively more practical and feasible approach.
The Windows SmartScreen might prompt you when you initiate the installation process. Here you are required to Select ’Run Anyway‘ in order to continue.
Once the installation is finished, an arrow will appear on your desktop, it will be pointing to the location of the freshly added Start Menu. It must be noted that it does not install an Orb icon as it did in Windows 7. Instead, it has a very thin icon that is very different.
You are required to ‘click’ on the icon in order to open up the Start Menu. It cannot be called exactly a copy, but it looks pretty much like the Windows 7 variant. There are total of two panes within the menu. The one on the left side contains shortcuts for the installed applications and a search bar. You have the option to pin apps to the top of the interface by using the Pin button. The right side carries menus for Computer, Libraries, Control Panel, Administrative Tools and Network, a shortcut for Run dialog box, and Power shortcuts for Shutdown, Restart, Hibernate, Sleep Log Off, Start Screensaver and Lock PC.
You can ‘Right-click’ the Start Menu icon in order to access option, including Auto Start, Check for Updates and Block Metro Features. The Selecting of Block Metro Features option will automatically disable access to the Switch List and Charms Bar from your desktop by using the mouse.
Power8 is workable on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
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If this method not working for you then try these different methods to disable and customize windows 8:
- How To Turn off Metro in Windows 8
- How To Close Apps in Windows 8
- How To Enable Start Menu in Windows 8 Via Software
- How To Enable Start Menu in Windows 8
- How To Disable Modern UI From Windows 8
- How To Disable Windows 8 Lock Screen
- Turn off Charms Bar and App Switch List in Windows 8
- Convert Windows 8 Metro Apps icons in Windows 7 Desktop icons
- How To Disable Metro UI in Windows 8
