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**mlauzon** · 05-14-2013, 10:50 PM

Re: A List Of Start Menu Replacements for Windows 8

Added Start Menu Reviver.

**ArthurP** · 10-20-2013, 06:00 PM

Re: A List Of Start Menu Replacements for Windows 8

Ladies & Gents,
I've been using Windows since the days of "Windows for DOS", and along the way I've witnessed both frustration and innovation in equal quantities. When XP first introduced the new "start menu" people complained that they did not like it and wanted the return of the "old start menu", the staff at Microsoft agreed to give the option of re-introducing the "classical menu".

To be honest I hardly use the start menu, because all the programs that I need are either pinned to the desktop (those rarely used) or the taskbar (often used), or I've set short-cut keys for those I want to launch easily.

The question "whether to introduce the start menu" I believe can be asked in a different way, "how comfortable are you at using the computer?"

I'm going to guess that the vast majority of people who use a computer, will easily led, and choose to implement the start menu because "it's always been there", and have baulked at the new interface because they have listened to "those who know" because they have listened to the gripes shouted across the web or the gripes and complaints of those who use the machine and are willing to complain because someone will listen; just because they work with computers.

My suggestion is "take a step back and live with the computer as you're given it". If after a period of time you don't like it then by all means follow the rest of the herd and apply one of the programs that have been listed above. But please remember that if you pay for the software then you have a course of redress should it go wrong.

Using the new interface ..
By now those who have used the new interface are faced with the machine booting into the start screen, and then running the desktop. But did you know that the system is now split into launching applications from the start screen, and running applications from the desktop ?

Windows 8\8.1 (alias Windows Blue) treats both environments differently. Whilst the applications (apps) to the left of the start screen have been pre-installed, they are NOT the same as the desktop version. Desktop based software\apps are those that you install (IE, Skype, Office, Firefox ect).

Win 8\8.1 is now able to boot into the desktop environment

log-in as an Administrator
right-click on the taskbar
select "properties"
this will launch "taskbar and navigation properties"
left-click on the "navigation" tab
under "start screen"
left-click "when I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of start"
reboot & you'll come straight into the deskto

Charms
These are the 5 items that are displayed when you drag your mouse down to the bottom, or top, right hand corner of your screen. These can also be displayed by pressing the "windows key and C" (win key+C) together. They are the "quick launch" funcations (Search, Share, Devices, Settings, and Start screen). The settings (the cog) is another interface that will allow you to modify the setting of your computer. This is also where the "power charm" is shown.

WinX menu
Whilst you're in the desktop, press the "Win key+X" this will give you a quick launch menu, giving you quick access to the control panel amongst other options. Amongst these "other options" is "shutdown or sign out" which will also give you the option of hibernate, sleep ect ect.

Introducing sleep and hibernate to the power charm options.
By default hibernate and sleep are not displayed within the list of options shown by the power charm

Sign-in as an Administrator
Press Win Key+R
type in "powercfg.cpl" .. this will launch your power options configuration
Left click "Choose what the power buttons do"
Left click "Change settings that are unavailable"
Scroll all the way down to the bottom
Under "shutdown settings" you can include the options within the power charm .. "Turn on fast startup .. sleep .. hibernate".

Other helpful tips ..
We are all happy launching an application from the Taskbar, but having launched that application did you know that you can launch another instance (launch the application twice) ?

Hold down the shift key & left-click the application icon. .. Try this with File Explorer or IE

Task Manager
There have always been several ways to launch Task Manager, these haven't changed

CTRL_ALT+Delete (the three fingered salute)
CTRL+Shift+Escape (my preferred option)
Right-click on the Taskbar and left-click Task Manager
** NEW ** Win key+X and left-click Task Manager

Windows Explorer\File Explorer
This used to be launched through the start menu, unless you knew the shortcut keys .. again there are several ways

left-click the "File Explorer" icon on the Task Bar
Win Key+E (my prefered option)
* NEW ** Win key+X and left-click File Explorer

Displaying the Desktop
If you have a few applications open and need to view the desktop you have a couple of options

Win key+D .. this will show you the desktop. Pressing Win key+D for the second time will bring everything back to where it was. But please remember that this key combination will only work in the active screen.
Win key+M - Minimize .. will minimize all applications on your active screen. You will need to open the active applications by clicking them on the Taskbar unless you use the following combination
Win key+Shift+M .. Reverses Minimize

If you are working within another application that has been launched from the start menu, you can use the "Win key+D" to switch to the desktop.

Using the Windows key

If you are in the desktop, or any app and press the Windows key it will take you to the start menu
If you are in the start menu & press the W+D combination, it will switch you to the last active application that you were working in.
Switching applications. Within the desktop environment the options for switching apps hasn't really changed. ALT+TAB is the standard. Selecting from the Taskbar, where you have multiple instances of a desktop app open this is displayed as a cascaded icon within the Taskbar. Hold your mouse over the icon and you will be presented with the open files, click on the one you want.
If you have applications launched within the start menu and desktop environment, take your mouse to the top left hand corner and drag it down. You will see those apps that are open. Click on the one that you want to switch to.

The following is a brief list of Windows key (Win key) combinations that you might find useful .. It's not the full list

Key Sequence	Function
Win key + Pause	display the Systems Properties page
Win key + R	display the Run dialog box
Win key + X,	and select Run
Win key + M	minimize all windows in the active screen
Win key + Shift + M	reverses Minimize
Win key + D	minimize all windows. Press again and desktop apps reappear.
Win key + F1	starts Windows Help. F1 by itself brings up Help in the current application
Win key + E	start Explorer at Desktop folder level
Win key + F	start Find Files/Folders dialog box
Win key + F + CTRL	start Find Computer dialog box. This command is used by network Admins
Win key + B	Sets focus on the task bar, navigate by using the arrow keys; press ENTER to open applications.
Win key + P	Select Display properties. If you have a second screen connected use this option to use both displays (either mirrored or extended)
Win key + L	Lock your computer. This can also be achieved using CTRL+Shift+Delete and select Lock
Win key + U	this launches Ease of Access Center (Magnifier, Narator, Set High Contrast & on-screen keyboard) which is where you'll configure the system for ease of use by disabled users.

Launching programs through "Run"
Again, this is an option that has always been there, just many of the users do not launch a program this way

Win key+R	will present the "Run" box
Win key+X,	and left-click on "Run"

The problem is that you need to know which application we need to run, so that we can launch those familiar applications which we take for granted being on the start menu. If you type the following into the "Run" box they will launch.
Note: It does not matter whether the command is entered in capitals or lowercase

Command	Launches
Calc	Calculator
CMD	Command Line (NOT administrative)
Explorer	File Explorer
Magnify	The Magnifier function from "Ease of Access Center"
MSConfig	Windows system configuration utility
MSInfo32	System Information
Notepad	Notepad
Regedit	Registry Editor

You can also launch Control Panel applications from the command line ("Run" box). These Control Panel applications are launched using the ".cpl" extension

Command	Launches
Accessibility Options	access.cpl
Add/Remove Programs	appwiz.cpl
Add Hardware Wizard	hdwwiz.cpl
Automatic Updates	wuaucpl.cpl
Bluetooth Properties	bthprops.cpl
Display Properties	desk.cpl
Firewall Properties	firewall.cpl
Game Controllers	joy.cpl
Internet Options	inetcpl.cpl
iSCSI Initiator	iscsicpl.cpl
Java Control Panel	jpicpl32.cpl
Licensing Mode	liccpa.cpl
Mouse Properties	main.cpl
Network Connections	ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard	netsetup.cpl
ODBC Properties	odbccp32.cpl
Power Options	powercfg.cpl
Regional and Language Options	intl.cpl
Sound and Audio Devices	mmsys.cpl
Stored Passwords	keymgr.cpl
System Properties	sysdm.cpl
Telephone and Modem Properties	telephon.cpl
Time and Date Settings	timedate.cpl
User Accounts	nusrmgr.cpl
Windows Security Center	wscui.cpl
Wireless Link	irprops.cpl

Hopefully this gives some help, but please if you want more information please shout & I will help where I can

Thank you

Arfs

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A List Of Start Menu Replacements for Windows 8

A List Of Start Menu Replacements for Windows 8

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