Laurence

Hi JorgeA, I just tried all the links and most all are still working as advertised, except for Lenovo QuickLaunch and Toshiba Desktop Assist. And perhaps those two apps might still be found on their respective sites - someplace. Ah hah, so another start button/menu (i.e. Start Menu Reviver) joins the ranks eh. Welcome to the party. :-) I'm not sure why. . . (scratching head and wondering to self) but I am looking forward to the release of Windows 8.1. And I say I'm not sure why, because the way I have my Win8 set up I very seldom see or use any of its new metro interface (unless I have specifically chosen to do so). Still, fixes, and worthwhile enhancements or 'renovations' will be accepted; here, all improvements are welcome, all other is not. All the best to you JorgeA. regards, Laurence

Hi JorgeA, I just tried all the links and most all are still working as advertised, except for Lenovo QuickLaunch and Toshiba Desktop Assist. And perhaps those two apps might still be found on their respective sites - someplace. Ah hah, so another start button/menu (i.e. Start Menu Reviver) joins the ranks eh. Welcome to the party. :-) I'm not sure why. . . (scratching head and wondering to self) but I am looking forward to the release of Windows 8.1. And I say I'm not sure why, because the way I have my Win8 set up I very seldom see or use any of its new metro interface (unless I have specifically chosen to do so). Still, fixes, and worthwhile enhancements or 'renovations' will be accepted; here, all improvements are welcome, all other is not. All the best to you JorgeA. regards, Laurence

In one of the threads of the Stardock Start8 forum, I see that "Start8 1.14 beta now available": it has "Updates for Windows® "Blue" compatibility testing" It will be interesting to see how many of the now available Start Menu's, which presently do not work as advertised (or at all) in the build of Windows "Blue" floating around in the wild, receive updates so that they do. We now know of one. As long as they work in the officially released Windows version, that's the main thing. regards, Laurence

Hey, Laurence! I think that @sgj may actually be the creator (as opposed to the finder) of this Start Menu replacement. Now that it's available in English, we can add it to the list. (Not that I have anything against the Polish language, of course -- Spanish is my native tongue, and I wouldn't list a Start Menu that was available only in Spanish, either. The idea is for as many people as possible to be able to use it and know what's going on with the utility.) --JorgeA Hi JorgeA, Whoops! My Bad. I can only lay rightful claim to having an understanding of English. But if I could, I wouldn't mind knowing a programming language! If only I had of been taught Assembly, Basic, C and C++, etc. beginning from my earliest days - look out Microsoft. JorgeA I hope you have been and remain well. regards, Laurence

This link is incorrect. English version: http://www.sgjps.com/en/project/StartForDesktop I was wondering if or when another start menu might be discovered. Good find SGJ. Did you happen across StartForDesktop or were you looking for start menu's? regards, Laurence

I too have been waiting for another method for payment. PayPal and I are not on speaking terms. regards, Laurence

Hi Tihiy, In Version 2.0 Release Candidate of StartisBack, one of the new additions you mention is: "StartIsBack is disabled in Safe Mode" When Windows is in Safe Mode I understand why it may be a good thing to have it be automatically disabled, but still. . . can it be 'manually started' by the user if so desired? A little bit of ease and familiarity while moving around to seek a cure for what ails the PC can be a real help. regards, Laurence

It's also funny to notice that someone is paying attention to the Start8 forum. Ribbing aside, from what I read and see, StartisBack is certainly moving along fast and furious in its development, adding features and bug squashing. I like. regards, Laurence

Hi roirraW "edor" ehT, Although you well may have already seen this by now: Start8 is back as of DisplayFusion v5.0.0 (Beta 9). DisplayFusion Beta Change Log regards, Laurence

Hi JorgeA, It looks like another one on the list may have bit the dust. Dead link: Win8 Charms Gesture + Start to Desktop regards, Laurence

Hi JorgeA, When you next update the list (and obviously only if you want to make the change) there are three programs which presently do not point to their own home pages: 8StartButton, Tihiy's StartIsBack, StartOnDesktop. Two point to downloadcrew.com and Tihiy's is pointing to the MSFN forum. 8StartButton home site is: https://www.totalidea.com/8startbutton/index.php StartIsBack home site is: http://www.startisback.com/ StartOnDesktop home site is: http://www.joshcellsoftwares.com/2012/01/StartOnDesktop.html regards, Laurence Christmas is getting closer by the day. . . go figure eh. ;-)

Hi Laurence, Thank you for following up on this! Let me know if they ever reply. I'll keep their listing unchanged pending verification (from them or from a user) that the bug has been fixed. --JorgeA Hi JorgeA, Today I received an email from Wentutu support. . . (inhale & exhale :-)), and in it they stated the bug (which Servelius reported on in this forum) has now been fixed in their latest release. regards, Laurence PS) Wentutu's response email in Full:

Another. . . Start 4 Seven (free) It works in Win8. It is very basic and portable (no install process), and includes a WinXP style Start Button (you chose where to place it onscreen: the center, or the lower or upper left or right), and the button provides what looks to be a complete All Programs list. It does not provide any built-in means to bypass the Metro/Modern start screen, nor automatically start with Windows. regards, Laurence

Thanks for the bug report! Did you notify the author? Maybe he will fix it. Has anybody else experienced this issue? --JorgeA I did, I reported the bug and suggested a few options, but the author wouldn't reply. If your Windows 8 is on drive other than C, you'll see what I mean, Wentutu can't see other drives. Huh, thanks for letting us know. I'll keep the listing but add a note to this effect. Please do post the news if you ever hear back from the author, or if the problem gets fixed. --JorgeA Hi JorgeA, Unfortunately there is no information on Wentutu's website regarding the version of their software, or what fixes if any have been made between releases. However, having said that, I downloaded their Start Menu again this morning; and according to the version number (discovered only upon initializing the install process) now at v.1.6, and the file size which is 47 kb larger, and the Digital Signature is now time stamped Nov. 27, 2012 - I am going to 'assume' that something has changed, and am wondering if 'Servelius' (or any other who had experienced the same bug, and has the same computer setup as Servelius) might give it another go to see if the bug he reported has now been fixed. This morning I also emailed Wentutu's support and asked about the above, but from what I read, I won't hold my breath waiting for a response. . . but just in case. regards, Laurence

Hi Laurence, Do you know if this one works on a Win8 system? The website says that it requires Vista or Win7, but I couldn't find any mention of Windows 8 specifically. --JorgeA Hi JorgeA, I couldn't remember if I had tried that one out, so just gave it another go around; yes, it installed on my Win8 system without any hiccup (that I am presently aware of). Yes sir, it looks like Ezy Start Menu is the first casualty. And JorgeA, "the list" is looking up, revised and improved! regards, Laurence

Here is another (30 day trial, then pay $): Aston Menu (Although it does not mention Win8 in its requirements, it installed on my Win8 machine without making any change.)

And another (free). . . Taskbar Classic Start Menu

Hi JorgeA, I hope that project at work turned out well for you. When you alphabetize the list items, are you going to include the company name of all the programs (that is, if there is a company name), as presently you do with some but not with all (or perhaps just remove all company names)? And will you be changing some of the listings URL's? The reason I ask is that most of the programs do have their own home sites from which to download the program (though granted, not all). I see that the link for Ezy Start Menu for Windows 8 listing no longer works, and doing a few quick searches did not reveal an alternative working link. Also just in case you miss it when changing things around, what you have presently listed as "WS8M (Windows 8 Start Menu)" really ought to be "W8SM (Windows 8 Start Menu)". Thanks JorgeA. regards, Laurence

@ Tihiy, This is just a follow-up from a previous post about NIS 2013 action taken toward startisback.exe upon its download. Today I submitted a "Report a Suspected Erroneous Detection (False Positive)" to Symantec as "a user or potential user of the software" to see if it will be removed from their flagging and automatic deletion and quarantine. Perhaps as the creator, a submission from you might help put startisback in the clear (as far as NIS 2013 is concerned)? regards, Laurence

And another one can be found here (free): Classic Start 8 regards, Laurence

@ Tihiy, Did you get a chance to look at this post, and consider whether there might be another payment option through the PayPal service? regards, Laurence

I'd say this is waaaay out of StartIsBack's context. Are there any Start Menu/Screen replacers in the app store now? I was under the impression that such apps wouldn't be allowed into the store. Yes, there are at least three. I just came from the Windows Store and doing a quick search for "Start Menu" returned these three: Pokki Start Menu, Classic Start Button, StartFinity

And another can be located here (price $4.99): Classic Start Button

Another very simple (and free) Start Menu can be found here: W8SM (Windows 8 Start Menu)

Hi JorgeA, Here is another one: Win8Starter It comes in a paid version ($5.99 USD), and a Free version. On their website it says, "Restrictions of the free version: no settings; no automatic adjustment of menu color; no possibility to add your own shortcuts." Upon install the Start Button icon is placed on the Taskbar but must be dragged to the left hand corner of it, well as close as the Win8Starter button allows that is. . . also during Windows boot-up, Logging off and Logging back in, etc., it first goes to the Metro/Modern start screen, and if you wait for a bit (!) it will then proceed to the Desktop UI. regards, Laurence