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IObit Start Menu 8 offers a free but perfect solution for users who are not accustomed to the new Modern Start screen in Windows 8 and Windows 10.
It brings back both the classic Start button and Start Menu in Windows 8 and Windows 10. You can select a button that looks like the classic Windows 7 button. Or set your favorite picture as the Start button in a Windows 8 and Windows 10 style.
You can quickly switch between the classic Start Menu and the Windows 10 Start Menu with one click. With IObit Start Menu 8, you can pin and organize your favorite apps and websites. It allows quick access to apps, files, and the web through a simple Start Menu search, or removes items without difficulty.
Without the Windows 8 Start button, less experienced users may take longer to access some of the system’s important hidden features.
Start Menu 8 gives you quick access to Safe Mode and power options and lets you skip the Modern UI effortlessly.
This IObit software is an easy-to-use program that returns the Windows 10 Start Menu to a familiar Windows 7 style and allows for more customization with just a few clicks. It gives you an option to bring back the local search bar and swap web search with Cortana.
With Start Menu 8, you can easily adjust your taskbar settings, including color, transparency, and system time display. Moreover, you can one-click merge taskbar buttons and hide the Cortana/Search box and virtual desktops button, which take up substantial taskbar space.
IObit Start Menu 8 Key Benefits:
- More Efficiency and Convenience.
- The app not only brings back the convenient Start Menu to Windows 8 and 10. It lets you bypass the Metro screen at startup and boot directly to the desktop.
- Easily Switch between Metro and Desktop Interface.
- You can easily switch between two modes by pressing and holding the Windows key, depending on your preference.
- Faster Access to Programs and Files.
- IObit Start Menu 8 brings back the Start Menu, where you can get quicker access to programs, documents, and files, the Control Panel, and settings.
- Quicker Searching.
- Unified search for desktop and Metro apps delivers instant results, reducing search time and improving workflow.
- Customizable to Your Needs.
- You can pin programs to the Start Menu and Taskbar for quicker access to your favorite programs. It is simple to customize, allowing quick access to everything you need with one click.
- Safe and Secure.
- IObit Start Menu 8 is a secure application with no malware.
IObit Start Menu – Free vs. Paid Comparison
| Free Version | Paid (Pro) Version |
|---|---|
| ✓ Brings back a Windows 7-style Start Menu and Start button on Windows 8 and Windows 10, making the desktop more familiar to users who prefer the classic layout. | ✓ Provides a clean, ad-free Start Menu, removing advertising from the interface for a less distracting desktop experience. |
| ✓ Lets you pin and organize favorite applications and websites while providing quick access to files, programs, settings, and the web. | ✓ Includes customized Start Menu styles and Start button options, allowing greater control over the appearance of Windows 8 and Windows 10. |
| ✓ Supports quick switching between the classic Start Menu and the Windows 10 Start Menu, giving users flexibility over the interface they prefer. | ✓ Provides quick and accurate file, document, and program searching for users who frequently locate items through the Start Menu. |
| ✓ Includes customization for the Start button and taskbar, including button images, taskbar color, transparency, and display options. | ✓ Includes automatic updates to the latest version, helping Pro users stay current without manually checking for new releases. |
| ✓ Available as freeware, making it suitable for users who want a classic Start Menu replacement without purchasing a license. | ✓ Adds priority 24/7 technical support and is available as a 1-year license covering up to 3 PCs. |
Which version should you choose?
Choose the Free version if you mainly want to restore a familiar Windows 7-style Start Menu, pin your favorite programs, customize the Start button and taskbar, and quickly access files and applications without buying a license.
Upgrade to the Pro version if you want an ad-free Start Menu, additional customization, faster file searching, automatic updates, and priority technical support across multiple PCs.
IObit Start Menu – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Restores a Windows 7-style Start Menu and Start button on Windows 8, 8.1, and 10. | ✗ Supports only Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 according to the documented system requirements. |
| ✓ Lets users pin and organize favorite applications and websites for quicker access to programs, files, and settings. | ✗ The software is primarily designed for users who want a classic Start Menu experience, so it offers limited value if the modern Windows interface is already preferred. |
| ✓ Supports switching between the classic Start Menu and the Windows 10 Start Menu, giving users control over the preferred interface. | ✗ Some customization and convenience features, including an ad-free interface, additional Start Menu styles, automatic updates, and priority support, are reserved for the Pro edition. |
| ✓ Provides Start button and taskbar customization, including button images, taskbar color, transparency, and display options. | ✗ The Pro edition is subscription-based, with the listed licenses covering one year for one PC or 14 months for three PCs. |
| ✓ Can bypass the Modern UI at startup and boot directly to the desktop, while also providing quick access to Safe Mode and power options. | ✗ Features such as taskbar customization, Cortana/Search controls, and Metro-interface switching add configuration options that may be unnecessary for users seeking only a basic Start Menu replacement. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use IObit Start Menu 8 on Windows 11?
No. The provided system requirements list Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 as supported operating systems, so Windows 11 is not listed as supported.
Can IObit Start Menu 8 skip the Windows 8 Modern UI?
Yes. It can bypass the Modern UI at startup and boot directly to the desktop. This is particularly useful for users who prefer a traditional desktop workflow.
Can IObit Start Menu 8 customize the Start button and taskbar?
Yes. You can change the Start button image and customize taskbar settings such as color, transparency, and the display of certain controls. It also allows you to pin and organize frequently used programs and websites.
What is the difference between IObit Start Menu 8 and Open-Shell?
Both are Start Menu replacement tools designed to provide a more traditional Windows interface. IObit Start Menu 8 offers Start button and taskbar customization, Modern UI switching, and integrated search, while Open-Shell is a free, open-source alternative focused on providing classic Start Menu styles.
What’s New in IObit Start Menu 8 5.4:
- Less resource usage and faster startup.
- Optimized the algorithms to load “All Programs” faster.
- Fixed known bugs.
Official Homepage – https://www.iobit.com
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 8, 8.1, 10.
Size: 11.7 MB
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