Usually, standard interface The Start menu is enough. But there are situations when you would like to add various functions to rid yourself of monotonous, same-type actions. Imagine that you have a huge number of programs and folders in “All Programs”. The size of the standard Start menu window is still very limited. Therefore, to call the desired program, each time you need to scroll the window to the required item or folder. Of course, you won’t even notice this if you only run a couple of programs a day. What if you use more than 20-30 programs in one day? Agree that this is not very convenient. You can use shortcuts, menus quick launch etc. But this doesn’t always save you, and turning your desktop into a bunch of shortcuts is not the best idea.
Don't let the name of this type of program fool you. Typically, they work fine on earlier versions of Windows.
Overview of programs for changing the Start menu
Formerly known as Vista Start, it is a good alternative for organizing the Start menu. It loads almost instantly and is very easy to set up. True, the most significant differences in the interface can only be seen starting from the Vista version. However, even in earlier versions the changes will be visible.
Instead of organizing the interface based on search and the All Programs tab, Start Menu 7 provides an efficient hierarchical menu of programs with a number of additional functions. Again, we note that the interface can be customized, so you can always choose exactly the option that suits you.
The program itself does not change any system settings, so you can completely safely install the program without fear that after uninstalling it, you will have to spend a couple of hours restoring the previous menu. By the way, this is very important point. Because not all developers of programs to replace standard system components expect that their applications will be removed. Usually, the expectation is that the program will be installed forever. But practice shows that there are not so many such programs.
Testing the program on Vista showed that SM7 even copes better with the search task. The standard components could not find everything installed programs, while SM7 found them all.
The program also allows you to combine its functions with the standard Start menu. Basically, use it as a supplement. So if you're missing standard features, but at the same time the Start menu itself is familiar and convenient, then feel free to install SM7.
Below you can see a screenshot from the developer's website. Chances are, by looking at it, it will be easier for you to decide whether you want to try installing this program or not.
Quick selection guide (links to download programs to replace the standard Start menu)
Start Menu 7
| Loads instantly. A huge number of settings. | ||
| Shows large amounts of information at once, so it may take some getting used to. | ||
| http://www.startmenu7.com/ru/index.html | ||
| ------------ | ||
| 4.95 MB 4.89 Unrestricted freeware 2000 - 8 | ||
| Support for 64-bit OS |
- The best free programs to quickly launch programs (launcher)
System utilities
"Start Menu 8 brings back the familiar system you were used to navigating with Windows 7. In Windows interface 8 (the so-called Metro) there is no “Start” button, it was replaced by the “tiled” menu used on Windows phones and tablets."
User Reviews
“Even though I’m not a beginner, when I launched Win 8 for the first time, I was completely at a loss, and the help of Start Menu 8 came in very handy; the program saves me time and allows me not to change my habits too much. In addition, once I had a small problem that I couldn't solve myself, so I wrote to IObit support without much hope... I was wrong... They responded quickly and helped with all the questions right away! Since then I have become an even bigger fan IObit, looking forward to their next product."
User Reviews
"As a technology consultant and application developer, I rely heavily on virtualization software. I enjoy creating new virtual machines for each of my projects. This way I can keep everything organized and only install the tools needed for a given project. Since I don't like the Metro screen in Windows 8, I use apps to replace the Start menu to make it look the same as it does in Windows 7. I've tried a few over the past few years different programs, both paid and free. Sometimes they work well, sometimes they don't. Since I started using Start Menu 8, I haven't had ANY problems with the Start Menu. Start Menu 8 is the perfect implementation of a great idea, and is also very easy to use and configure."
Start button for Windows 10/8 from:
With the release of Windows 8, the interface familiar to us, inherent in the seven and earlier systems, disappeared forever. Now, instead of the Start button, we can work with tiles. Why did Microsoft do this? After all, a logical step would be to optionally disable the Start button and return it by manipulating the settings in new system. But no, now you need to get used to Metro, and learn to work in the new system literally from scratch. This trend continued in Win 10. Although the Start button was returned to the interface, in essence it works the same as in 8.1: folders in the start menu are not displayed, Metro and classic applications are presented in a single list, and it is possible to distinguish them You can only use icons. Due to these circumstances, the demand in the user environment has increased for third-party utilities that allow you to find out what it would look like Start button for Windows 10/8 in the form we have known since the days of Win XP. In today's review we will talk about such programs and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
Power 8
Simple and uncomplicated software tool, which transforms the Start button into the form that has already become familiar to us. All applications installed on the system are clearly structured and presented in a single list. The most important environment objects (This Computer, Network, Libraries) and OS configuration tools (Control Panel, Administrative Tools) are also available in the menu.
If you need to change any settings in the program, Power 8 immediately reports this in the form exclamation point on the Start button. In addition to the list of applications, there is also a standard representation of the main menu in the form of a set of directories, from which the applications we need are called.
In addition, the author took care of the search function, which works as quickly and conveniently as a similar mechanism in Win 7. This functionality has been significantly expanded thanks to search keys specified in the settings. For example, by entering the value “g Maslenitsa” in the search bar, you will launch a search for the search word in Google service in the browser. By default, search is available in all popular search engines and Wikipedia. If desired, you can add your own keys.
ViStart 8.1
Another alternative to the standard Start button for Windows 10. Although appearance The presentation of the start menu is no different from the seven; if you look closely, you can see some shortcomings. Thus, the application does not allow you to drag a shortcut from the program menu to the taskbar in order to pin it there. There's also no way to drag a shortcut onto the Start button to add it to the list.
In fact, the program does not replace the Metro-style Start, but only adds a second button that serves as an addition to the basic one. There is support for skins - both the visual components already familiar to us and completely new graphic representations are available. If desired, you can download additional skins.
The customizable ViStart start menu can be called up by pressing Win buttons on keyboard. After installing the utility, ViStart intercepts pressing the specified key on the keyboard, which can also be changed in the settings.
Another noticeable flaw is the search function. The search does not work very well and only detects items from the desktop and running processes, bypassing the programs and control panel elements available in the main menu.
Taking into account all the detected shortcomings, the application should not be considered one of the best representatives of the class, although for simple operations and habitual work with the programs available in the environment, ViStart will come in handy more than ever.
Start10
One of best apps in the presented category. Start10 painlessly integrates into the system and is full replacement standard "Start" button.
There are several visual styles and start menu display themes available: from the rounded Win7 interface to the angular modern design of the dozens. You can select the menu icon displayed on the desktop.
Just like the previous utility from our review, Start10 intercepts the click Windows buttons on the keyboard, and when you use it, a customized, modified start menu opens.
The search works perfectly: while this function is active, all available programs, settings and user files are indexed and scanned.
For Win8, the Stardock developer company is promoting a similar software product called Start8, so if you use eight, pay attention to this software.
The application is distributed under a shareware license; a 30-day trial version is available for free use without any functional limitations. After this period, a one-time payment of $5 is offered, which is not much for an application of this class.
Start10 has everything that every user could dream of modern systems. Fine tuning visual presentation of the start menu and support for additional skins make the software stand out from other analogues.
Start Menu X
Fabulous free product, which provides a complete replacement for the modern analogue of the Start button for Windows 10 and the start menu that is called up when it is pressed. All presented menus can be fully customized, add new objects (both system and user) and modify existing ones.
By default, click interception is available Windows keys on the keyboard, and in combination with Shift key pressing this button will call standard menu Win 10.
In the settings there is a function for selecting the graphic design of the menu, ranging from light classic blue tones to stylish modern dark skins.
A completely new and unique feature is virtual groups. By selecting the appropriate group and selecting specific applications for it from the menu according to their purpose, you can create structured lists of applications divided by topic. By default there are 5 groups. Create new groups in demon paid version It is not possible; to activate this functionality, the authors suggest purchasing the PRO version of the product. However, there are quite enough available groups; you can get by only with them.
You can change almost everything in Start Menu X, even the visual appearance of the Start button on the taskbar.
In terms of quality, this product is head and shoulders above its competitors, and the lack of advertising and reminders about the need to purchase a paid version pushes this software product into the “must have” category.
Classic Shell
A high-quality analogue of Start Menu X, in no way inferior to its competitor. The author offers us three options for the design of the start menu: Windows 7, classic with two columns and regular classic. If with Windows 7 the manner of presenting the menu is quite clear, then in the classic form the menu appears to us as it was back in 2001, during the time of Win XP.
Classic Shell allows you to change not only the start menu, but also the design of the Start button. In addition to several templates, the user has the right to substitute any non-standard image (the main thing is that it fits in size). For example, nothing prevents you from finding a picture on the Internet with a visual representation of the Start button in Windows 7 and using it as a replacement for the default option.
In addition to this, in the settings you can specify exactly how the program will process pressing the Win button, both individually and in combination with the Shift key, as well as how a click on the Start button itself will be processed, and what will happen in this case call: classic or standard Windows menu 10.
As for the search, it should be noted that it does an excellent job of finding objects from the menu itself, files on the disk, applications for and for the desktop.
The application is distributed completely free of charge, and also open source code, the author regularly releases new versions and updates for his project, which is good news.
Start Menu
Another way to return the classic Start button for Windows 10/8 is to use the Start Menu utility. Unlike the two previous copies from our review, the capabilities this application quite unpretentious. Start Menu offers us a choice of 3 start menu style options: classic Windows 7, Flat (which is the same Win 7, but with a more modest visual design) and Windows 10. About installing and configuring Start Menu.
In the program settings you can set automatic download Start Menu bypasses the basic tens shell - Metro. Customization of the elements displayed in the menu is also available - they can be shown as a link or as a submenu. There is the possibility of designing a picture account according to your personal preferences.
In general, this software product leaves a pleasant impression, although the range of settings is rather meager. However, for home use This set is quite enough.
Spesoft Free Windows 8 Start Menu
Although, judging by the name, this development Designed purely for Windows 8, the utility also supports Windows 10, albeit with difficulty. In fact, Free Start Menu is an add-on to the standard Start menu and works in parallel with it. There are essentially no settings. The presentation of the start menu follows the design of Win 7 - the same two-column interface, the same pop-up submenus in the list of installed programs.
The search scanning area is very limited - there is no way to search among the elements of the control panel or desktop installed applications etc.
It is worth paying special attention to the “Shutdown” button. When you press it, several huge rectangular objects appear, which serve to log out of your account, go into sleep mode, restart the PC, etc. It cannot be said that such a graphic design is inconvenient, since you can miss the desired button almost impossible, but in the modern era of miniaturization, such an approach is very unusual and fresh.
Spesoft Windows Start Menu is noticeably inferior to those previously described software products both in terms of the quality of execution and the set of parameters, so we recommend using the program only if you are not satisfied with the standard appearance of the shutdown menu in the top ten.
Results
Our editors have presented you with a complete set software applications, able to demonstrate what the modified Start button for Windows 10 and 8 is, and what benefits the user can get from it. Of all the utilities listed in the set, it is worth highlighting Classic Shell and Start Menu X, since they provide the most acceptable level of work with programs installed in the operating environment, allow you to change the visual interface of the start menu in any way you like, and have unique features that can win a worthy place in your heart every computer technology lover.
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