Laurence

Hi JorgeA, What you are proposing to do sounds good. And it certainly could prove to be a real help to anyone who is thinking about giving one or more of those programs a "try and see" for their selves. I know the one I had settled on does mostly what I want it to do; one thing I like about it is that it is actively developed, with bug fixes and enhancements (so after a little while may do all I want). And although I'm not saying it is the "best" but it "works for me"; as to the best, I'd have to have tried and compared all of the programs in their feature-set, ongoing development, active support, cost, etc. - but nonetheless in the end it would still be 'in my opinion. . . .' regards, Laurence

Yet another: StartW8 It is free, boots directly to desktop, provides a Start button and menu, very minimal customization available, no RMB context menu in the menu. regards, Laurence

@ jaclaz, Thanks! The Samsung one will not install on my computer (not a Samsung): it begins the installation process then faults out with an error stating "This setup is only available on Samsung Computer" and then rolls back what it had begun. The Toshiba one on the other hand installs without any (known) problem, and my computer is not a Toshiba. The Toshiba Desktop Assist does not offer to bypass the Metro/Modern screen; however once in the Desktop UI there is an Desktop Assist icon on the desktop and one pinned to the Taskbar (which of course can be dragged to where the Start button used to be, if so desired); here is a link to an image of Desktop Assist. regards, Laurence

Hi JorgeA. I just downloaded the Windows 8 Start Menu toggle from the deviantART site now, and gave it a go, however it looks like it does not work on the Win8 final version from MS. It must have only been for the Developer Preview. Looks like I was too quick on the draw with that one. Sorry about that. regards, Laurence

I don't know; but I do know this: StartFinity is of no interest to me. So, no purchase here. ;-) regards, Laurence

To: Tihiy, In addition to the method you presently offer to buy StartIsBack, would you also offer the ability for us to purchase StartIsBack (still via PayPal), but without a person having to set up a PayPal account? I know that using my credit card I have purchased items online before via PayPal without having a PayPal account and without having to sign up for a PayPal Account. I don't know if either of the following two links are of any benefit or not (but will post them just in case): How to add the ability to accept donations [payments as well, I presume] to your website or blog, or request donations via email, via PayPal without the donors having to sign up for PayPal How to use PayPal without a PayPal Account regards, Laurence

A few more. . . Ezy Start Menu Info from the download site: "Ezy Start Menu for Windows 8 is a neat application that resides in the lower left corner of your screen and provides you the functionality of the old Windows Start Menu. Using this utility you'll be able to browse your installed applications, local or remote folders and launch programs with a single click." Lenovo QuickLaunch Info from the download site: 'Lenovo QuickLaunch provides a "Legacy Desktop Simplified Start Menu", it allows user to fully customize a familiar "launcher" paradigm.' I installed this one on my machine (not a Lenova) and it works (menu is basic) Windows 8 Start Menu toggle Info from the download site: "Windows 8 Start Menu toggle has been developed by Solo-Dev @DA for getting back old Windows 7 classic menu." StartFinity Info from the download site: "$14.95 per computer" There is also a StartFinity Starter Edition (free). Info from the download site: it has "limited customization opportunities of the Start Menu." JorgeA, from what I read online Samsung and Toshiba are offering a Start button and menu of their own (at least with particular models); although I did a quick search on their sites I came up empty. regards, Laurence PS) I edited this post to make mention and add link of the free version of StartFinity on Nov. 22

@ ender` Thanks for the info. I wonder what the process is to get programs digitally signed. @ jaclaz Yes and Symantec in part works via a community-based effort and input as well; and its White-List for Software developers who would like to add his/her software to it so as to avoid any potentially avoidable issues is a part of it. jaclaz, thanks for providing the link. regards, Laurence

Today I downloaded StartIsBack v.1.1; however both Win8's Internet Explorer 10 flagged it as potentially unsafe, and Norton Internet Security 2013 (v.20.2.0.19) flagged it as an unknown, a possible risk, "Threat: WS.Reputation.1", and automatically removed it. Now I am assuming it is in reality 'safe'; but Microsoft and Semantic needs to be notified of same (of the {assumed} false positive), as it could put users off of trying it and having anything more to do with it. regards, Laurence

Indeed; and I find it interesting there as well. regards, Laurence

I thought the author in the following article provided an interesting perspective: Windows 8 — Disappointing Usability for Both Novice and Power Users regards, Laurence

@ The Finder It is my understanding that this topic "Ways to get back the Start Menu/Button in Win8" is for anyone to post about a Start Button/Start Menu for the Windows 8 desktop which they may already be aware of or perhaps come across on the web, if it falls within the five rules to guide this thread. Thus creating a "Master" list of sorts regarding what is available on the Net (referring to the aforementioned) to choose among for anyone who is wanting such a program, without having to do time consuming searching themselves. As to which is better, which is worse, that is up to the end user to decide for their self: what I want or works for me may not be what you want or works for you. I think it is about choice, what Microsoft could have but did not give its users (yet). regards, Laurence

Hi JorgeA, I know the following little portable program is not a Start Button and Start Menu replacement for Windows 8, but still thought I would to bring it to your attention; and I certainly am not asking for it to be added to your list. It is just that whenever I have installed any desktop programs (most all) the installer always places an icon on the Metro/Modern screen as well, and I'd prefer that it did not; well this program prevents that from happening. I thought that perhaps others too might like to know about it, and if they come to this forum and topic they will. AutoPin Controller regards, Laurence

Another one is Handy Start Menu

JorgeA, thanks for the update. Slowly but surely the count is increasing. I see that the download webpage of Viva Start Menu has been updated: it now correctly states 64-bit and "32-bit" version availability. I just had a look at your listing on the first page, and I gather there must have been outstanding objections to having the Viva Start Menu included. Nonetheless, I have no doubt that more will yet surface. . . at least until MS does a turn-about-face. (However just in case MS persists in stubbornly willing not to do such a thing, I am not going to hold my breath. ) regards, Laurence

@ JorgeA You're most welcome. I too am thankful for you having provided a place and listing of all the many others to choose from; and hopefully lots more to come. And who knows, maybe the 'perfect' one will come along for the individual user. Here is another one which provides a button and minimal Start Menu experience: HP Quick Start Application Although my Desktop PC is a HP brand, chances are it will also work on other PC's. But just in case, remember I did say, chances are. regards, Laurence

And another: Tweaks.com Boot to Desktop for Windows 8

Here is another: StartMenuPlus8

The following is one obvious difference in the Viva Start Menu (as of Nov.12th. 1:44 PM AST, found near the bottom of its Download page): --------------------------------------------------------------- Download Information: Download 64-bit Version Download 34-bit Version -------------------------------------------------------------- The "34-bit Version" must be for a newly released, and as yet unpublicized, OS. ;-) regards, Laurence

Here is another: Viva Start Menu I wonder how many other Start Button and Start Menu there are that we don't yet know about. . . .

@ Tihiy Tihiy stated "StartIsBack intended final pricing: $5 for a license key for 5 PCs. $3 for a license key for 2 PCs." Thank you for your extremely generous pricing of a very useful program. It no doubt will be used many times every day by those who choose Start Is Back as their preferred Start Menu and Button replacement for the Windows 8 Desktop experience. regards, Laurence