Getting the start button back on Windows 8...

[mikeschn]

I had to upgrade one of my old laptops this weekend. And it's unfortunate that in the combination of features I was looking for, I could no longer get Windows 7.

So I bit the bullet and bought a Windows 8 laptop. I had in the back of my mind that I could buy a start button from Stardock. http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

That was the best $5 I ever spent. My laptop works and feels like a Windows 7 machine. I'm sure there are little things that I haven't run into yet, like jamming your cursor into the corner of the screen...

But if you have to buy a Windows 8 machine, and you hate the Metro interface, and you hate the desktop without a start menu, Stardock should be your first stop.

Mike...

[Lgboro]

Hopefully it will be better it than Me when it was released Early adopting of a Windows system has been risky at best over the last few years.

[sherryk]

Windows 8 is actually pretty good--I've been using the RTM version since it was released, and I even played with a beta build for a short (very short) time. But yeah... the new "metro" interface isn't wonderfully mouse or keyboard friendly. Call me an old fogie <grin> but I agree; if I have a mouse and keyboard for the last what? 15 years? I've seen and expected that Start button, in some form, to almost always be in the lower left hand corner. It's irritating when it isn't by default anymore. So great find!

I searched for other alternative start menu buttons, and found this one: http://sourceforge.net/projects/classicshell/ I've installed it, but since I've only been using it about 15 minutes, I don't want to say it's great yet. It is donationware (i.e., free to use, but they ask for a donation if you like it).

I hope (expect? wish?) that if / when the new hardware is released... AND eventually goes down in price (I'm assuming, maybe erroneously, but maybe not) that the new touch-screen hardware that is designed for Windows 8 will be tad more than I want to spend at first. Anyway, when it's released and reasonable (to me anyway) then I could see the "metro" interface being more useful to me, personally. I won't want to click/right click/keyboard type anymore. It'll be finger gestures on that touch surface.

[rowerwet]

every other microsoft release is a dog, expecting 8 to be the same.

[pete42]

every other microsoft release is a dog, expecting 8 to be the same.

in windows defense I liked VISTA but laptop went belly up and I now have windows 7 and I like it.
one of my friends has windows 98 I think anyway when I tried to help him I thought wow buy a new computer
his HDD is also very low memory and sow

the only thing I saw on windows 8 is it looks like my tablet with a bunch of apps this may not be how it is at all
since I haven't use it yet.

pete

[Kevin A]

While not a big deal to some, Windows 8 eliminated free cell and solitaire.... I like my mindless entertainment after a long day at work.

[Mukilteo]

So, we will have to wave our arms around on the screen?
Makes my arms ache thinking about it.
Any work around for people with limited movement/abilities?

[Alan Wood]

In my opinion Microsoft is abandoning the desktop and laptop thinking that the tablet will replace both. I don't see that happening. The new UI is a large part of the reason I bought a ridiculously powerful laptop just before windows 8 came out.

[mikeschn]

I have no issues with Win 8, I still don't see the big deal about it except that it's nice to have on the tablet.
As for the start button is there really a good reason why there isn't one?

Yea, Steven Sinofsky wanted us to learn the metro interface. He figured if we didn't have a start button that we would learn.

Well, 2 weeks after the release of Windows 8 Ballmer let Sinofsky go. So I'm guessing it's just a matter of time before Microsoft releases an update that includes a start button.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-11 ... soft-teams

Mike...

[Irmo Atomics]

I've spent the last three days trying to figure out ways to make Windows 8 user friendly for me. Have you seen the commercial showing how complicated everything else is, but how easy and intuitive the new windows (phone) is? We should send Bill an email.

[toypusher]

While not a big deal to some, Windows 8 eliminated free cell and solitaire.... I like my mindless entertainment after a long day at work.

You should be able to download them, or get them from a Win 7 install disk.

[Dale M.]

every other microsoft release is a dog, expecting 8 to be the same.

Windows always seems to go sort of sideways instead of forwards.... Still running XP on 10 year old tower, refuse to move up since Muchysoft is still doing updates... IF I move up I loose use of outdated TV tuner card.... Still can not get my head around touch screens, and I like keyboards and a mouse and don't know if I even need a laptop/tablet system....

Guess there is always Linux if you want something solid, it's just the learning curve is a little longer and not quite as smooth as winders...

Dale

[mikeschn]

Is Windows 7 still available? If it is, and you can get Win7 drivers for your machine, then that's an option. But for $5 you can make Windows 8 look and feel just like Windows 7.

And like Dale said, Linux is an option. I have Linux Mint loaded on an old old laptop, and if you're in a flexible learning mode, it's really quite nice. Problem is, if you "have" to use an existing Windows application...

The best solution for most people is to buy up existing stock with Windows 7 on it, before it's all gone. I know Sams Club still has Windows 7 machines, but they are going fast...

Mike...

[Bigwoods]

I not computer savvy by any means. I get a new computer when the old one breaks down. Last week I purchased a new Asus tower with Windows 8. My biggest problems is the things I used before can not be updated (yet). Like my printer/scanner and my camera down loading program. Hope I can get hem to work someday. I would be happy if I just had a new computer with XP and it wouldn't lock up.

[Dale M.]

Several solutions (6) to Windows 8 FLUB (no START button) can be found here..........

http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/how- ... 8-2012116/

For the more adventuresome....

http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-pick/ ... -20110914/

Dale