Zoom7000 Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 Stardock have just released Start8 for Windows 8. A few days after Microsoft launched the Consumer Preview build of Windows 8, developer Stardock launched the first beta of Start8, which aimed to give a version of the familiar Start menu to Windows 8 Metro owners. Today, Stardock has released a new and free beta of Start8 that adds quite a few new features. While previous versions of the Start8 beta only put in a start button that opened up the "Modern" user interface for Windows 8, this new version has a number of new features, including: Windows 7 style Start menu with Windows 8 enhancements Users can search for Windows 8-style (Metro) apps with it Users can pin Metro apps to it Full support for Jump Lists Unified Search Automatically matches color to the color of the taskbar Start button is now skinnable Users can boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop Optionally disable the desktop “hot spots”. Fast access to shut down, devices, music, documents, videos Supports WindowFX 5.1 startmenu animations (currently in beta) The Windows 8 Start screen becomes accessible from the Start menu Start menu size fully configurable Adds option for WinKey to show fullscreen Metro desktop. Source - Neowin.net I've just installed it on to my home PC running Windows 8 and it runs very nicely. It's still in beta, so I'm hoping the finished product includes further customisation like the ability to not highlight newly installed programs and customise the number of items in the Start Menu, but so far, it's looking very promising indeed! 4
Trapper Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 Try using the start screen for a while. It's actually pretty decent when you get used to the change.
VeryPC_Tom_M Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 I'm running it at home as well. The developers have said that the final version will be FOC from the website, which is an added bonus!
Domino Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 There's also classic shell as well - which a few of use here are running Welcome to Classic Shell 3
Arthur Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 The developers have said that the final version will be FOC from the website, which is an added bonus! Based on their EULA, Start8 will only be free for personal non-commercial usage. Schools and businesses would have to pay. Important: Read this before using your copy of Stardock Corporation's Start8. End User License Agreement This user license agreement (the AGREEMENT) is an agreement between you (individual or single entity) and Stardock Corporation for the Start8 program (the SOFTWARE) that is accompanying this AGREEMENT. The SOFTWARE is the property of Stardock Corporation and is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties. The SOFTWARE is not sold, it is licensed. LICENSED VERSION The LICENSED VERSION means a Registered Version (using your personal serial/registration number) or an original fully working version of the SOFTWARE. If you accept the terms and conditions of this AGREEMENT, you have certain rights and obligations as follow: YOU MAY: 1. Install and use one copy of the SOFTWARE on a single computer. 2. Install a second copy of the SOFTWARE on a second computer only if you are the main user of this computer (home computer or laptop for example). 3. Install the SOFTWARE on another computer only if you change your main workstation. In such a case you must uninstall the software from the old computer. 4. Use the SOFTWARE via a network, only if you have purchased an adequate number of licenses. The number of users must not exceed the number of licenses you have purchased. 5. Make a copy of the SOFTWARE for archival purposes only. YOU MAY NOT: 1. Copy and distribute the SOFTWARE or any portion of it except as expressly provided in this Agreement. 2. Sublicense, rent, lease or transfer your personal registering number. 3. Sublicense, rent or lease the SOFTWARE or any portion of it. 4. Decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer or modify the SOFTWARE or any portion of it, or make any attempt to bypass, unlock, or disable any protective or initialization system on the SOFTWARE. 5. Copy the documentation accompanying the SOFTWARE. 6. Upload or transmit the SOFTWARE, or any portion thereof, to any electronic bulletin board, network, or other type of multi-use computer system regardless of purpose. 7. Include the SOFTWARE in any commercial products intended for manufacture, distribution, or sale. 1
VeryPC_Tom_M Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 Will anyone still be able to download and/or purchase the final version of Start8 when it is officially launched? Oh yea. Start8 is going to be freeware still for non-commercial use. from: Interview: Stardock's CEO gives an update on Start8 - Neowin I can understand them wanting to keep control of the software, via licensing, incase it proves popular with OEMs (as their ObjectDock proved popular with Dell). As the software is still in Beta, it's a little soon to be quoting the EULA, which may well change with the final product... 1
Zoom7000 Posted August 31, 2012 Author Posted August 31, 2012 Try using the start screen for a while. It's actually pretty decent when you get used to the change. Yeah, I got quite used to it too. But the Start Menu is nice and I was just pointing out Start8 for those who might want it. There's also classic shell as well - which a few of use here are running Welcome to Classic Shell Yeah, I saw this one, but I think Start8 is a lot more elegant
Arthur Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 As the software is still in Beta, it's a little soon to be quoting the EULA, which may well change with the final product... While true, I doubt StarDock would let businesses use Start8 for free (even the final version). Not when there's easy $$$ to be made!
Fry Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 I still don't understand why Windows won't give us the option if we still want a start menu. I mean why do they care so much how we operate from our desktop?
VeryPC_Tom_M Posted October 4, 2012 Posted October 4, 2012 Just turned my PC on, to find that my start8 has "expired". Looking at the website, they've switched to charging for the beta, on 2 levels, with a free, time-limited trial. Uninstalling and switching to ClassicShell as I type this!
Arthur Posted October 9, 2012 Posted October 9, 2012 Uninstalling and switching to ClassicShell as I type this! ClassicShell looks horrible compared to Start8 though. It's like going back to Windows 95!!! Also, $4.99 (£3.73) isn't much money for something you would use multiple times every day.
RabbieBurns Posted October 9, 2012 Posted October 9, 2012 ClassicShell looks horrible compared to Start8 though. It's like going back to Windows 95!!! Also, $4.99 (£3.73) isn't much money for something you would use multiple times every day. Ill be buying it when my 30 days is up for sure.
VeryPC_Tom_M Posted October 9, 2012 Posted October 9, 2012 its $5 I don't mind paying for finished software, but I -do- object to paying for beta software. After all, without beta testers input, would any problems in the software be highlighted?
Zoom7000 Posted October 16, 2012 Author Posted October 16, 2012 I don't mind paying for finished software, but I -do- object to paying for beta software. After all, without beta testers input, would any problems in the software be highlighted? The license will be carried over to the final version. So you aren't paying for just the beta. I'm a little disappointed that Brad Wardell backtracked on his statement that it'll be freeware for non commercial usage, however, I guess they need to find the money from somewhere to pay for the sexual harassment lawsuit!
gshaw Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 (edited) All this need for Start Menu shells could be avoided if Microsoft would give us a sliding search panel when on in Desktop mode. Something like Winkey+S (aka search \ start) and you get the same kind of panel you do with Winkey+I Would mean they could keep the Metro look but not force users away from their work to use the Start screen, which I still find distracting when in the middle of something in desktop mode. Another alternative would be to enhance the run box with predictive search so Winkey+R becomes the quick way to launch apps in desktop mode. Edited October 16, 2012 by gshaw
Michael Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 I have to agree that if Microsoft wanted to switch off the Start Menu in Windows 8 by default - then fair enough, but by removing it completely is/was a poor decision. Users/administrators should have the option to switch it back on. Maybe if there's a big demand for this, they might re-consider re-introducing it in Windows 8 SP1. Alternatively stick with Windows 7...
Mr.Ben Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Agreed. If Microsoft had left the Start Menu as an option in Windows 8, then the transition to Metro would be easier. I can't see us using it as it stands on Desktops - I think we will be using 7 for a while yet.
RabbieBurns Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 this might be an alternative? Pokki Brings the Start Menu Back to Windows 8 | Gadget Lab | Wired.com
Arthur Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 this might be an alternative? It looks okay, although the real reason Pokki have created yet another Start Menu replacement is to push their own app store. Latest Pokki beta includes a Windows 8 Start menu replacement and options to avoid Metro "We're doing it in a different way than guys like Stardock or Vistart or Samsung's S-Launcher. So rather than bring back the Windows 7 Start menu, which we agree with Microsoft is really outdated… we really wanted to integrate the core Start menu functionality and then modernize it." Pokki's Start menu isn't just a Windows 7 clone, and nor does the company charge any money for its app. It brings a launcher of sorts which includes favorites for desktop and Metro apps. (Source)
BHMS Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 Unfortunately Start8 doesn't support windows folder direction so it isn't any good for my pupil computers
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