Tihiy

Argh. Here, resized them for you: http://startisback.com/glow.zip

Then you didn't re-size it right. Height has to be 3xWidth.

Yeah they're not resized. I'll try to fix that, resize it yourself to ~54x162 if you want.

Any comment on if it actually works?

BETA THREE "THE SALVATION" HAS ARRIVED You're now ready for Windows 8 GA. Getting it in time was my ultimate goal and i hope i succeeded! From prototype to fully functional version in three weeks, quite a feat. This beta is intended to be last beta. Note that it's 30 day trial (per user). It's fully featured and won't nag you. After trial expires, StartIsBack will still work, but start menu will be non-functional and will nag you every boot. This build is capable of activation, but activation itself is not tested yet, so i give license keys to few trusted pals and we'll be testing. Buying and license key gifts to donators should come after testing. Download: http://startisback.com/StartIsBack_betathree.zip List of changes: And installer of course! Note that StartIsBack is installed for user only - into \Users\<User>\AppData\Local\StartIsBack Installer is a bit lame for now, but installing per-machine won't likely be implemented for v1.0 personal edition. Spread the word about this version, it's meant to be heard of, i hope there are no bugs . Icon is probably temporary, shamrock will stay probably. Everybody loves shamrock?

Yes. I found a critical bug in StartIsBack which leads to explorer crash and I'm trying to fix it. i've fixed it.

Don't worry, guys, C&D letters will be sent the second i won't like BetaArchive actions. Everything can be cracked, even with hardware protection keys and poly-cripted protected code all over (recall Skype). What's more important is to make sure that license key and activation system can't be hijacked. I've taken care of that. Besides, StartIsBack will be cheap Stay tuned, Beta 3 will come 25/26.

Beta 3 is coming this week, here are some screenshots of updated config UI Note that shamrock and circle moving are possible logos for StartIsBack If you know a designer or a good design for possible start orb logo, please PM me.

To rename, i have to perform some resource manipulation. To keep out Metro apps, i hook shortcuts store and return only 'metro' or 'dual' (browsers) mode shortcuts. That's all done in memory. Whole mechanism of app shortcuts getting to metro launcher is complex, i work on top of iceberg only. That was reported but i was unable to reproduce that yet.

It should work until major changes in Windows codebase, which doesn't usually happens in updates or service packs.

I've created a separate poll to vote on Start Screen hotkey:

This is about StartIsBack I'm planning to use Ctrl+Win as default hotkey combination in next StartIsBack version. Right windows key probably won't be an option since it's hard to implement 100% correctly. (Some modifier key)+Start button click is also not very good for people which place books and spill coffee on keyboard so it won't be a default option. Not sure about middle button click, it's obscure. Meanwhile randomly pressing keys i've discovered you can switch between Start Screen / All Apps list with Ctrl-Tab. Did you now that?

While valid suggestion, it hardly applies to modern Windows 8 computers. I'm fine with Win+C+Enter for example because i hardly go into Modern UI.

On the second thought, Alt+Win is not so good since Alt triggers menu. So probably i'll stick to Ctrl+Win by default.

I hope moderators will be able to fix this. I think i would prefer Alt+Win (Win+Alt) as it makes most sense and easy to reach.

I've added poll to know about how we would like to get to Start Screen. We need to select some reasonable defaults... constructive ideas are very welcome!

Which quote is right? What there are animations or there are not?

It turns out Beta 1 wasn't cracked after all, it's just maxtorix who cofused us. However, i consider beta 2 private testing huge success. I got to meet a lot of nice people and got donations too Working hard to deliver next pulic version before November. Win+C+Enter won't do? As a workaround, you can disable start menu translucency. I'll try to fix this, but i can't promise the quick one. There are animations opening and closing it for me.

Use Win+X for now.

Send me this theme, i'll see if it's my issue. Yes, that's exactly what i planned to do. As well as PNG support. I tried before. There's a bug in this pseudo-aero - any kind of animations with window will be screwed, so no.

Unfortunately, it's not in system resources i can pull out. But i shall fix it later.Thanks for all the letters guys

"Pin to start" or "Pin to start menu"? Does "Pin to taskbar" shows if "Pin to start menu" doesn't? Does pinning Office 2010 shortcuts by drag&drop works, are the shortcuts usable?

BETA 2 - PRIVATE ONLY I've sent link and password for donators and pals i trust. Please store it in a safe place and don't share it. You can try to email me to startisback at gmail dot com and request to join private testing, if you think you're worth it. Oh joy, lot of changes! Say "thanks" to Pwned@BetaArchive for not being able to test this version. Next public version won't come until i create proper protection system.

I never said that. If he reports bug, he does it in Ex7forW8 thread. I see just empty menu; that's okay.

I guess you're changing registry with license capatibilities key. That's only approach which does not require any files to implant into system, so it's very cool! In StartIsBack i planned to hook license functions too, but found how to work Metro around without this.