5 Best Free Start Menu Replacements for Windows 8

Restore the Start menu in Windows 8 and 8.1

By
Robert Kingsley
Robert Kingsley
Writer
  • ITT Technical Institute
Robert Kingsley is a former Lifewire writer who specializes in technology. He has worked as an IT support engineer, installing, configuring, and maintaining Windows computers.
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Updated on June 16, 2022

If you miss the traditional Windows interface, you can add a Start menu to Windows 8 with a Start menu replacement. Some of the replacements introduce new features and interface elements, while others mirror the look and feel of the Windows 7 Start menu.

We compiled five of the best Start menu replacements for Windows 8. Every tool is free and allows you to bypass the Start screen and boot directly to the desktop.

The tools in this article are available for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Some are also compatible with other versions of Windows.

01
of 05

ViStart

ViStart Start Menu replacement.
What We Like

  • Looks like the Windows 7 Start menu.

  • Highly customizable.

  • Instant program search results.

What We Don't Like

  • Attempts to install third-party apps.

  • Can be buggy at times.

ViStart is about as close as you're going to get to the Windows 7 Start menu. All of the interface elements you'd expect are there. You'll have quick access to your programs and the ability to pin apps as in Windows 7.

There are a couple of skins to choose from, and you also have the option to change how your Start icon appears. Other than that, there are no additional features, but ViStart is sufficient if you're used to older versions of Windows.

02
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In Start Menu 8 settings, changing the Style.
What We Like

  • Free to download and use.

  • Perfectly replicates the Windows 7 Start menu.

  • Hide individual items.

What We Don't Like

  • Auto hide can be buggy.

  • Plain interface.

  • Incompatible with newer apps.

Start Menu 8 is also very close to the Start menu in Windows 7, but it includes a MetroApps menu that you can select to access the Windows Store apps on your computer. This feature lets you seamlessly launch apps from the desktop, just as you would any other program.

In addition, there are multiple themes you can choose from, and you can change the Start icon's style, font, and even the size of the menu. Unfortunately, though, you can't pin modern apps to the Start menu.

03
of 05
Start Menu Reviver


What We Like

  • Touchscreen friendly.

  • Beautiful design.

  • Highly customizable.

What We Don't Like

  • Doesn't fully replace the modern user interface.

  • Can't permanently pin items to the Start menu.

Start Menu Reviver doesn't recreate the classic Start menu; instead, it reinvents the idea and updates it to fit Windows 8 better. This application includes a bar of links and a series of customizable tiles. You can drag any desktop or Windows Store app into the menu to customize the tiles to your liking. The link bar on the left provides easy access to commonly used tools like Network, Search, and Run.

04
of 05

Classic Shell

Classic Shell Windows 8 Start Menu Replacer on the desktop.
What We Like

  • Highly customizable.

  • Free and open source.

  • Models the classic Windows 7 start menu.

  • Displays system status data.

What We Don't Like

  • Complicated to customize.

  • Can run slower than the standard shell.

  • Not easy to find programs or folders.

Classic Shell comes with a detailed Settings page that allows you to change almost every aspect of the menu to suit your preferences. It also lets you tweak File Explorer and Internet Explorer to make their interfaces more comfortable for you. In addition to the classic Start menu, Classic Shell offers a secondary menu for your Windows Store apps, which you can pin to the Start menu.

05
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Pokki

Pokki Windows 8 Start Menu replacer


What We Like

  • Easy to customize.

  • Simplified layout.

  • Mail and social media notifications.

What We Don't Like

  • Default Start icon is an acorn.

  • Unwanted app icons.

  • Store links to Pokki.

Pokki looks nothing like the classic Start menu you're used to, but that's not a bad thing. It offers a Control Panel view which, much like Windows GodMode, places all the computer configuration and settings tools in one place for easy access. You also have the My Favorites view, which offers a series of tiles you can configure to link to any program on your computer. You can even download apps from Pokki's store.

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