# Comparison of Start menu replacements for Windows 8

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[Microsoft](/source/Microsoft)'s [Windows 8](/source/Windows_8) [operating system](/source/Operating_system) introduced an updated [Start menu](/source/Start_menu) known as the "Start screen", which uses a full-screen design consisting of tiles to represent applications. This replaced the Windows desktop as the primary interface of the operating system. Additionally, the on-screen Start button was replaced by a hidden button in the corner of the screen; Microsoft explained that the Start button was removed because few people used it, noting the addition of "pinning" apps to the [taskbar](/source/Taskbar) from [Windows 7](/source/Windows_7).[1][2]

The change was controversial among users, and a market ensued for applications which restore the visible Start button, emulate the previous Start menu design, or allow users to boot directly to the Desktop instead of the Start screen.[3]

The following is a list of Start menu replacements for Windows 8 which have received coverage from third-party sources:

Name Developer License Skins Run Pinning Aero Sort Boot to desktop Notes BringBack[4] Revel Software Discontinued ? ? ? ? ? ? Discontinued [5] (http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/revel_bringback8.html) Classic Shell[6][7][8][9][10] Classic Shell team MIT License[11] 10+extensible[12] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Allows Modern UI related tweaks Discontinued and forked to Open-Shell Classic Start 8[13] Crawler, LLC Freeware No Yes ? ? ? ? Classic Windows Start Menu[14] SourceCodeBoy CC-BY-NC-ND (Freeware for non-commercial use only) [15] Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Discontinued (last version here http://www.pypa.es/Utilidades/Software/) Ex7forW8[16] Tihiy Freeware ? ? ? ? ? ? Discontinued (http://tihiy.net/files/ex7forW8_1.0.zip) Finalbird[17] Svyatoslav Yudin Freeware No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Favorites of Start Menu is unified with the other software parts Handy Start Menu[18] ChemTable Software Freeware ? ? ? ? ? ? Open-Shell[19] ? MIT Yes ? ? ? ? Yes Fork of Classic Shell Pokki[6][7][9][20] SweetLabs, Inc. Freeware No ? ? ? ? Yes Power8[6][21] [22] Power8 Team GNU General Public License ? ? ? ? ? ? RetroUI Pro[6][8][23][24] Thinix Trialware ? ? ? ? ? ? Samsung Quick Starter[25] Samsung ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Start Menu 8[6][7][9][26] IObit Trialware ? ? No ? ? Yes Start Menu Reviver[27] ReviverSoft Freeware ? ? ? ? ? Yes touch screen support Start Menu X[28] OrdinarySoft Freemium ? ? ? ? ? ? Start8[6][7][29] Stardock Corporation Trialware Yes Yes Yes ? ? Yes StartFinity[30] WinAbility Software Freemium ? ? ? ? ? Yes Supports automatic localization of Start menu StartIsBack[6][7][8] Пуск Будет Удобнее Trialware 4+ Yes Yes ? ? Yes modifies existing hot corners StartMenuPlus8[31] Winok Trialware ? ? ? ? ? ? StartW8[32] SODATSW Freeware ? ? ? ? ? ? SyMenu UGMFree Freeware 6 ? Yes ? Yes Yes The menu is fully portable Tweaks.com Start for Windows 8[33] Advanced PC Media Freeware ? ? ? ? ? ? ViStart[34] Lee-Soft Ad-supported Yes Yes Yes No ? Yes Wentutu Start Menu[35] Wentutu ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Win8StartButton[36] Torch Media Inc. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Win8Starter[37] Engelmann Media GmbH ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Xeesa 1b QuickStart[38] Xeesa Services Freemium No ? ? ? ? ? Cloud Start Menu available

The number of skins in the table givens the number of built-in skins. If there are downloadable skins, then a "+" is appended to the number to indicate that download extensions are possible.

[RetroUI](/source/RetroUI), StartIsBack, [Classic Shell](/source/Classic_Shell), Start8, and [Pokki](/source/Pokki) are five of the more notable of these.[6][7] RetroUI is offered in 33 languages, and also for [Windows Server 2012](/source/Windows_Server_2012), and adds a taskbar and resizable windows.[39] StartIsBack is also localized.[40] [Classic Shell](/source/Classic_Shell) used to be free and open source (now proprietary freeware), major items are localized and installing the Language Pack from [Windows Update](/source/Windows_Update) makes all items fully localized; Classic Shell is also available for Windows 7 and Windows Server, and claims over 25 million downloads.[41] The Pokki download to restore the Start menu is free; as of January 2013, it has about 1.5 million users.[42] The Pokki application platform, based on [Chromium](/source/Chromium_(web_browser)), enables desktop applications to be built—like mobile apps—using standard web languages like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.[43] It is also available for [Windows XP](/source/Windows_XP) and Windows 7.[44] Pokki has raised $21.5M from investors like Google, Intel, and O'Reilly;[45] its business model is to make a commission on software sold through its app store.[43][46] Start8 has been downloaded over 5 million times.[47]

## See also

- [List of alternative shells for Windows](/source/List_of_alternative_shells_for_Windows)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PC_Pro_1-0)** ["Why Microsoft killed the Windows Start button"](http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/enterprise/375550/why-microsoft-killed-the-windows-start-button). PC Pro. Retrieved 2012-12-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Whitney, Lance (2012-02-06). ["Microsoft removes start button in Windows 8"](https://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57371830-75/microsoft-removes-start-button-in-windows-8/). *CNET*. Retrieved 2012-12-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Whitney, Lance (2011-10-12). ["Microsoft reacts to gripes over Windows 8 Start screen"](https://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20119131-75/microsoft-reacts-to-gripes-over-windows-8-start-screen/). *CNET*. Retrieved 2012-12-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Revel BringBack (beta) Review | Windows 8 Start Menu Apps](http://www.laptopmag.com/review/software/revel-bringback-beta.aspx)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Revel Software - About Us"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131207091058/http://revel-software.it/about-us). Archived from [the original](http://www.revel-software.it/about-us) on 2013-12-07. Retrieved 2014-01-30.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-9menus_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-9menus_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-9menus_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-9menus_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-9menus_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-9menus_6-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-9menus_6-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-9menus_6-7) ["9 Windows Start menus for Windows 8"](http://www.itworld.com/327541/9-windows-start-menus-windows-8?page=0,2). IT World. Retrieved 2012-12-15.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Extreme_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Extreme_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Extreme_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Extreme_7-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Extreme_7-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Extreme_7-5) Sebastian, Anthony (2013-02-20). ["How to bring back the Start menu and button to Windows 8"](http://www.extremetech.com/computing/141702-how-to-bring-the-start-menu-and-button-back-to-windows-8). Extremetech.com.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CNET_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CNET_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CNET_8-2) [How to get the Start menu back in Windows 8 | Windows 8 – CNET Reviews updated 2012/12/31](https://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57496506-292/how-to-get-the-start-menu-back-in-windows-8/)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Geek_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Geek_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Geek_9-2) ["6 Start Menu Replacements for Windows 8"](https://www.howtogeek.com/127699/6-start-menu-replacements-for-windows-8/). HowToGeek.com. 29 October 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Spector, Lincoln (2012-09-06). ["Give Windows 8 the Start menu it deserves"](http://www.pcworld.com/article/261980/give_windows_8_the_start_menu_it_deserves.html). PCWorld. Retrieved 2012-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Classic Shell FAQ, Is Classic Shell open-source?](http://www.classicshell.net/faq/#general_oss)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Classic Shell Review: Softpedia](http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/windows/Classic-Shell-Review-418806.shtml)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Free Traditional Start Menu Style for Use with Windows® 8](http://www.classicstart8.com)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Classic Windows Start Menu"](http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Classic-Windows-Start-Menu.shtml). *[Softpedia](/source/Softpedia)*. SoftNews. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** SourceCodeBoy. ["SourceCodeBoy homepage"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150109061328/http://sourcecodeboy.esy.es/). Archived from [the original](http://sourcecodeboy.esy.es/) on 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2015-01-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Disable the new Windows 8 interface for good with Ex7ForW8"](http://betanews.com/2012/12/11/disable-the-new-windows-8-interface-for-good-with-ex7forw8/). 11 December 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Finalbird - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com"](https://download.cnet.com/Finalbird/3000-2072_4-76182974.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Handy Start Menu – CNET Download.com](https://download.cnet.com/Handy-Start-Menu/3000-2344_4-75300511.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [*Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu*](https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu), Open-Shell, 2022-07-18, retrieved 2022-07-18

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Pokki Brings Back the Start Menu to Help Confused Windows 8 Users"](http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/Pokki-Brings-Back-the-Start-Menu-to-Help-Confused-3953494.php). SFGate. 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2012-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["What Windows 8.1 Must Be – Personal-tech – Desktop Operating Systems – BYTE"](http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/desktop-operating-systems/what-windows-81-must-be/240143750). Informationweek.com. 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2012-12-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Home · AgentMC/power8 Wiki · GitHub"](https://github.com/AgentMC/power8/wiki). Mike Makarov AgentMC. 2015-04-09. Retrieved 2015-11-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Adrian Kingsley-Hughes (2012-04-18). ["Make Windows 8 Look Like Windows 7"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2012/12/04/make-windows-8-look-like-windows-7/). *Forbes*. Retrieved 2012-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Erez Zukerman. ["RetroUI tries to fix Windows 8's usability woes, but only makes them worse"](http://www.pcworld.com/article/2030481/review-retroui-tries-to-fix-windows-8s-usability-woes-but-only-makes-them-worse.html). PCWorld.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Chris Smith (2012-10-16). ["Samsung to return classic Start menu to Windows 8 with free app | News"](http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/operating-systems/samsung-to-return-classic-start-menu-to-windows-8-with-free-app-1104855). TechRadar. Retrieved 2012-12-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Pegoraro, Rob (24 November 2012), [Windows 8 woes? Get Start menu sub](http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20121124/BUSINESS09/311240046/Windows-8-woes-Get-Start-menu-sub?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CBusiness%7Cs), retrieved 10 December 2012

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** [WINDOWS 8 START MENU APPS SHOWDOWN](http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/3-windows-8-start-menu-apps-compared)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Sandeep Yadav (2012-08-29). ["Start Menu X: Get Start Menu and Button in Windows 8"](http://www.techfeb.com/start-menu-x-get-start-menu-button-windows-8/). TechFeb. Retrieved 2013-02-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Gregg Keizer (2012-09-27). ["$5 buys a Start button, Start screen bypass for Windows 8"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140821031844/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9231773/_5_buys_a_Start_button_Start_screen_bypass_for_Windows_8). Computerworld. Archived from [the original](http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9231773/_5_buys_a_Start_button_Start_screen_bypass_for_Windows_8) on 2014-08-21. Retrieved 2012-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Preston Gralla (2012-10-12). ["Windows 8 cheat sheet"](http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9232749/Windows_8_cheat_sheet?taxonomyId=125&pageNumber=8). COMPUTERWORLD. Retrieved 2013-10-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Jon L. Jacobi. ["Review: StartMenuPlus8 is just another utility to give Windows 8 a Start Menu"](http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020422/review-startmenuplus8-is-just-another-utility-to-give-windows-8-a-start-menu.html). PCWorld. Retrieved 2012-12-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** [Want To Get Back The Start Menu In Windows 8? Here's How | Mobile & Apps](http://www.mobilenapps.com/articles/6083/20130105/want-back-start-menu-windows-8-here-how.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Tweaks.com Start for Windows 8"](http://tweaks.com/software/start/). Advanced PC Media LLC. Retrieved 18 November 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Muchmore, Michael (2012-04-17). ["Tip: How to Get the Start Menu Back in Windows 8"](https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403139,00.asp). PCMag.com. Retrieved 2012-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** [Bring the Start Menu back in Windows 8 with this app](http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Wentutu-Start-Menu.shtml)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** [6 Things Microsoft Must Do In 2013 – Software – Windows 8](http://www.informationweek.com/software/windows8/6-things-microsoft-must-do-in-2013/240145370)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["Win8Starter: Startmenü gratis für Windows 8 – News – CHIP Online"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121214072124/http://www.chip.de/news/Win8Starter-Startmenue-gratis-fuer-Windows-8_59334728.html). Chip.de. 2011-08-27. Archived from [the original](http://www.chip.de/news/Win8Starter-Startmenue-gratis-fuer-Windows-8_59334728.html) on 2012-12-14. Retrieved 2012-12-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** [Xeesa 1b](http://1b.xeesa.com) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150802231115/http://1b.xeesa.com/) 2015-08-02 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** ["RetroUI web site"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130326174037/http://retroui.com/). Archived from [the original](http://www.retroui.com/) on 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2013-04-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** [StartIsBack web site](http://startisback.com)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** [Classic Shell](http://www.classicshell.net)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** [Yahoo! News, Jan. 16, 2013](https://news.yahoo.com/more-people-miss-old-windows-start-menu-microsoft-184541670.html)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bizapp_43-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bizapp_43-1) Kincaid, Jason (30 June 2011). ["OpenCandy's Pokki Brings Web Apps To The Desktop, With Style"](https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/28/opencandys-pokki-brings-web-apps-to-the-desktop-with-style/). *TechCrunch*. Retrieved 13 November 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** [Pokki web site](http://www.pokki.com/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-45)** Wauters, Robin (29 September 2011). ["SweetLabs Raises $13 Million From Intel, Google And Others For Pokki App Platform"](https://techcrunch.com/2011/09/29/sweetlabs-raises-13-million-from-intel-google-and-others-for-pokki-app-platform/). *TechCrunch*. Retrieved 13 November 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** Alex, Wilhelm (17 April 2012). ["Meet Pokki: Bringing the power of mobile apps to your desktop"](https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/04/17/meet-pokki-bringing-the-power-of-mobile-apps-to-your-desktop/). *The Next Web*. Retrieved 13 November 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** Mossberg, Walter S. (2013-05-07). ["Review of Start8 and Pokki: Bringing an Old Start to a New Windows - WSJ.com"](https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323372504578468952800573028). Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2013-05-29.

## External links

- [Compare Start Menus:Classic Shell vs StartIsBack, Start8 etc](http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2399)

- [5 Windows 8 Apps to Bring Back the Start Menu by LAPTOP Magazine](http://blog.laptopmag.com/5-windows-8-apps-to-bring-back-the-start-menu)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Comparison of Start menu replacements for Windows 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Start_menu_replacements_for_Windows_8) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Start_menu_replacements_for_Windows_8?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.