How To Get Windows 9 Style Start Menu In Windows 7/8.1 Right Now

[anuseems]

We all know that soon after the release of Windows 8, a bunch of third-party free and paid programs were released to disable the newly introduced Metro Start screen and get back the good old Windows 7 style Start menu in Windows 8.

Even though I have covered almost all the free and paid Start menu applications out there for Windows 8/8.1 here on Into Windows, I have never used a third-party Start menu program for more than a day. I have installed these Start menu programs just for the sake of testing, and I always felt that the Start screen is more powerful and feature-rich when compared to the Start menu.

Last month, at its annual BUILD event, Microsoft announced for the first time since the release of Windows 8 that it would bring back the Start menu in a future update to Windows and also showed off the first glimpse of the Start menu that now includes live tiles on the right-side and all installed programs and apps on the left.

A lot of Windows 8/8.1 users who have ever installed or at least seen the pictures of Start Menu Reviver software will agree with me that the upcoming Windows Start menu looks pretty much similar to the Start menu offered by Start Menu Reviver program. In short, the future Windows Start menu looks identical to the Start Menu Reviver. That is, if youre on Windows 8/8.1, you can get the Windows 9 style Start menu (or Windows 8.1 Update 2) in Windows 8/8.1 by just installing Start Menu Reviver program.

The good news is that the team behind Start Menu Reviver recently updated the program to version 2.0 with a couple of new features and improvements. The best thing about version 2.0 is that its much cleaner and even more beautiful. You can customize each and every tile by right-clicking on a tile and selecting appropriate options.

Start Menu reviver doesnt restrict you from accessing the Start screen. You can continue using the Start screen by moving the mouse cursor to the bottom left corner of the screen and then clicking on the Start screen hint but pressing the Windows logo button on your keyboard takes you to the Start menu instead of Start screen.

Just like the initial version, this version of Start Menu Reviver also lets you customize the default look of the Start menu in a number of ways. You can add new tiles, change the default color of a tile, add/change tile description, and change the tile image.

Start Menu Reviver ships with a total of 11 Start buttons, allowing you to choose a button of your choice. Options to change the default size of the Start menu, what to show when you expand the menu, and also, options to change the theme color is present as well.

The extreme left pane on the Start menu includes shortcuts to Computer (My Computer), Control Panel, Run command, Task Manager, Libraries, and user folder.

Go and install Start Menu Reviver right now if youre impressed with what it offers. And before you start punching me, let me tell you that the current version of the program is not perfect, just like any other software.

There is certainly room for improvement. Options to change the default background color of the Start menu (by changing the Start menu background we can make it look like the one shown by Microsoft at BUILD) and live Modern app tiles would make this program awesome. Also, I feel that the current version of the Start menu is a bit slower when compared to other Start menu programs.

http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-get-windows-9-start-menu-in-windows-78-1-right-now/

Edited May 22, 2014 by anuseems

[software182]

i don't think it's windows 9 start menu style :think:

[calguyhunk]

Is it just me, or is Microsoft really losing it? I haven't seen that fugly an interface since ... well, the whole Windows 8/8.1 mess. And don't tell me it's failure to adapt, 'cuz it's not! :nono:

When I used my first (almost) stock Android device from Motorola, I loved it instantly having experienced both Touchwiz and the Optimus UI before. I thought I liked what LG and Samsung had to offer, but Motorola immediately won me over. Did I resist the change? Hell no, I loved it. I dread the experience of Touchwiz and LG now, albeit, I must admit that I miss some of the functionality they had to offer. But the interface is so much cleaner and smoother. ;)

So no, I'm not averse to change, but change for change's sake irritates me - especially when it curtails functionality and/or disrupts productivity and MS is doing a pretty good job at alienating it's core user base, without managing to rope in the new yuppie crowd that it was hoping to. Nice going, Redmond idiots! :mad2:

P.S. - The following is Microsoft's idea of a "new and improved" start menu! Something's better than nothing, I suppose, but what the massive F**** Microsoft!!! :o

Edited May 22, 2014 by calguyhunk

[sujith]

This is one ugly Start menu.Good that i use win 7. :)

[mray88]

It's like they're a company that has too much time on their hands.

[Roy W]

UGLY very ugly! :D

[dcs18]

That is a clear case of advertisement on behalf of Start Reviver - the Start Menu, show-caused for the new, upcoming 8.1 build does not look like that at all.

Here is how it actually looks like:--

[abdr]

I think Microsoft acquisition by Start Menu Reviver. Am i right? :unsure:

Edited May 22, 2014 by abdr

[windowsvistas]

:wtf: ewwwww.............

[dcs18]

Under some pretext or the other, Microsoft will continue attempting to slip the Metro under a new name, (Modern UI) software or even hardware.

This time Microsoft will slip the Modern UI from right under the noses of gullible Users - through this ridiculously ugly Start Menu reproduced on my previous post.

The hilarious side to the whole matter is when such folks start believing (and declaring) that, "Hey, look - Microsoft has finally listened to the people."

Historically, the only one single time when Microsoft really listened to the people was when they incorporated the login into Desktop, at boot - by default (with the 8.1) Mind you, that feature was always available - but, not as a default.

[GRiM]

Is it just me, or is Microsoft really losing it? I haven't seen that fugly an interface since ... well, the whole Windows 8/8.1 mess. And don't tell me it's failure to adapt, 'cuz it's not! :nono:

When I used my first (almost) stock Android device from Motorola, I loved it instantly having experienced both Touchwiz and the Optimus UI before. I thought I liked what LG and Samsung had to offer, but Motorola immediately won me over. Did I resist the change? Hell no, I loved it. I dread the experience of Touchwiz and LG now, albeit, I must admit that I miss some of the functionality they had to offer. But the interface is so much cleaner and smoother. ;)

So no, I'm not averse to change, but change for change's sake irritates me - especially when it curtails functionality and/or disrupts productivity and MS is doing a pretty good job at alienating it's core user base, without managing to rope in the new yuppie crowd that it was hoping to. Nice going, Redmond idiots! :mad2:

P.S. - The following is Microsoft's idea of a "new and improved" start menu! Something's better than nothing, I suppose, but what the massive F**** Microsoft!!! :o

Where on earth did you read that shit?? That is nothing remotely like the Start menu that M$ has in mind. See the leaked screens not the made up crap from where you have taken it.

[MidnightDistortions]

Just wait til these 3rd party softwares to roll out the start screen for Windows 7.

[dcs18]

Just wait til these 3rd party softwares to roll out the start screen for Windows 7.

That would make me :rockon: - the Windows 7 Start Menu seems to be hard-coded into the kernel. :(

I hope Microsoft don't hard-code their upcoming Start Menu - the one for the 8.1, too. :thumbsdown:

[Rok]

Is it just me, or is Microsoft really losing it? I haven't seen that fugly an interface since ...

It's nothing but a crap. How can Microsoft even think of such uggggggggggly Start Menu interface. I don't think they can even in their wildest of dreams dare to push such oooooooooo to users..who have been demanding an Start Menu for over a year plus.

That is a clear case of advertisement on behalf of Start Reviver - the Start Menu, show-caused for the new, upcoming 8.1 build does not look like that at all.

Here is how it actually looks like:--

No doubts, MS will push its Windows 7 Start Menu to upcoming Windows 8.1 updates. Till then, happy with StartIsBack+ 1.5.1.

[MidnightDistortions]

Just wait til these 3rd party softwares to roll out the start screen for Windows 7.

That would make me :rockon: - the Windows 7 Start Menu seems to be hard-coded into the kernel. :(

I hope Microsoft don't hard-code their upcoming Start Menu - the one for the 8.1, too. :thumbsdown:

That doesn't sound right since Classic Shell seems to work just fine on Windows 7 though i didn't hear much about start menu replacements until after Windows 8 has been around. So maybe it wasn't possible in the beginning? W8 does have a bigger selection of start menu replacements to choose from. Long as there is a demand, software devs will find a way to get it to work on the latest Windows OS's.

[dcs18]

Just wait til these 3rd party softwares to roll out the start screen for Windows 7.

That would make me :rockon: - the Windows 7 Start Menu seems to be hard-coded into the kernel. :(

I hope Microsoft don't hard-code their upcoming Start Menu - the one for the 8.1, too. :thumbsdown:

That doesn't sound right since Classic Shell seems to work just fine on Windows 7 though i didn't hear much about start menu replacements until after Windows 8 has been around. So maybe it wasn't possible in the beginning? W8 does have a bigger selection of start menu replacements to choose from. Long as there is a demand, software devs will find a way to get it to work on the latest Windows OS's.

Those who have already used works-of-art like StartIsBack & Start8 won't like to settle for Classic Shell - we have grown too spoiled for that.

Yes, 3rd party Developers will always find a way around it - that's for sure (now, that there exists a segment that has tasted blood - unlike during exclusive Windows 7 days, we hadn't.) :)

[SnakeMasteR]

Windows 9 isn't even out yet, how can those bloody idiots know how it will look like, the Start Menu Reviver is for Windows 8 and has a shit to do with Windows 9. Nowhere on shitty earth has ReviverSoft said anything about "Windows 9 Style Start Menu" for SMR 2.0, stop making frikken rumors. SMR 2.0 is just ReviverSoft's interpretation of a better Start Menu for Windows 8, duh.

Edited May 22, 2014 by n0_risk!

[someone there]

Well I tried start menu reviver, It is good one but need some enhancement in styles and colorization and it's context menu need to add more items in order to compete with other alternative start menu I agree with those who said it is ugly but it can turned to beautiful one with few features to allow for automatic coloring like startisback. and need to remove the reviver logo and make the tiles smaller.

[shasi]

why for windows 9 start menu , can't u be satisfied with windows 8.1 .

we can see when windows 9 comes

Edited May 23, 2014 by shasi

[LeeSmithG]

Is it just me, or is Microsoft really losing it? I haven't seen that fugly an interface since ... well, the whole Windows 8/8.1 mess. And don't tell me it's failure to adapt, 'cuz it's not! :nono:

When I used my first (almost) stock Android device from Motorola, I loved it instantly having experienced both Touchwiz and the Optimus UI before. I thought I liked what LG and Samsung had to offer, but Motorola immediately won me over. Did I resist the change? Hell no, I loved it. I dread the experience of Touchwiz and LG now, albeit, I must admit that I miss some of the functionality they had to offer. But the interface is so much cleaner and smoother. ;)

So no, I'm not averse to change, but change for change's sake irritates me - especially when it curtails functionality and/or disrupts productivity and MS is doing a pretty good job at alienating it's core user base, without managing to rope in the new yuppie crowd that it was hoping to. Nice going, Redmond idiots! :mad2:

P.S. - The following is Microsoft's idea of a "new and improved" start menu! Something's better than nothing, I suppose, but what the massive F**** Microsoft!!! :o

The menu is the kind of thing paedophiles would use to attract school children.

When are M$ going to listen.

I want a g.u.i similar as a mix to xp and 7.

I don't want bells and whistles, I don't want apple like eye candy, I want what I said.

I like pretty ladies, as long as they're not tarts.

[DLord]

I would also vote for StartIsBack for the time being. Win7 start menu would be an ideal option for Win8.1. Comming from WinXP, I wouldn't mind XP's start menu either.