Windows 8.1 - remove that annoying start button?

[Spud1]

Hi,

I guess I must be in the minority here, but I can't for the life of me see the point of adding in the new start button in the bottom left on windows 8.1

It gets in the way, looks like an app but isn't, can't be moved and is just well, annoying. Having used Windows 8.0 since it was released I have gotten used to and started to like the way you just have to hit the windows key to get to the start menu, or you can click right into the corner of the screen. The sheer number of times since I updated that I have automatically gone to click outlook and hit the start button..so frustrating.

Has anyone found a way to get rid of the damn thing in 8.1? Google isn't helping me here

[shaithis]

I don't think there is a way built-in to Windows...

https://www.pokki.com/windows-8-start-menu should do it though, although I find it funny someone wants to remove it

I understand though as when I switched to Windows 8 I kept launching Internet Explorer each time I though I was hitting the start menu...although I find it easier to adjust to something extra, rather then something removed.

[Spud1]

Thanks I shall give it a try.

I know its a strange question, but then I wasn't one of the people who went crazy at the removal of the start menu in the first place. I still hate metro styling (its not very good, and I still think the whole "only show half a word" think is stupid), but when it comes down to day to day use the "start screen" functions as an improved start menu for me. I just hit the windows key, type what I want to launch and it does it..simple.

An actual start menu would be a backwards step again imo - we have a start menu now its just much more useful I just want rid of the button...maybe as I don't like using the mouse so much!

[TheAnimus]

It's amazing. I can't think of one reason why I want a start menu to use < 10% of my screen realestate. It makes zero sense to do so.

Yet people like that!

[scaryjim]

It's amazing. I can't think of one reason why I want a start menu to use < 10% of my screen realestate. It makes zero sense to do so.

2 reasons:

1) familiarity: it's a lot quicker to find things in a familiar environment, so the start screen can feel very awkward as you search for things you want, and have to either take several unfamiliar actions to find what you're looking for, or spend time pinning things in places you'll remember to look for them next time

2) mouse navigation. A start screen takes up a lot of pixels and therefore requires much larger mouse movements to get where you're going. A small start menu requires far less mouse motion to navigate. I doubt it's formally ergonomically better, but it feels more natural.

You know what I think they should've done? Start Ribbon. MS have shoved the ribbon absolutely everywhere else - why not for Start? You could activate it with a magic corner or with a swipe down from the top of the screen, the big buttons would be touch friendly, but it'd also be familiar to anyone who'd ever used any MS software written since 2007. And you could have the full start screen above it, so once you've pulled the ribbon down a second swipe down or a click in the right place opens the full start screen.

Hmmmm, where's that patent application form....

[Disturbedguy]

I use classic shell, gives me a Win7 styled start menu and a proper start button

[Mister]

Classic shell is the best one: http://www.classicshell.net/

I use it on both windows 8 and server 2012 and works flawlessly on both. I've had it on win8 since day 1 and not a single issue yet. Also not had to use the awful metro UI once, it's just a shame you cant remove it completely

There are a few others that you have to pay for. But they pretty much do the exact same thing that classic shell does for free.