Start Button/Start Menu/All Programs

Customization of the Start Menu (no tiles please) equals speed! As you can see I am using the classic theme in Windows 7.

We professionals and powers users can customize the Start Menu in such a way that we can access the most important areas, features, commands etc. of the OS.

There is no way that W8/8.1 UI could ever allow a user to navigate the OS as quickly as W7 Start Menu can. A press of the Windows Logo Key or a press of the cursor on the Start Button and in seconds you are where you need to be in your OS and in my case, quickly access my clients' computers.

I have seen so called leaked images of the Start Menu for Windows 9. I see no reason for any tiles or any resemblance of W8/8.1 on the new Windows 9 OS for (Keyboard and Mouse Users).

This screenie is an example of how I have customized the order of shortucts and how I want the right side of the menu to appear. These personalizations should never be taken away from any Windows PC user. Especially those of us who will never want or need a touch-screen.

Do you professionals and power users agree?

MikeHawthorne, post: 34534, member: 342 said:

Hi

Well I have to admit to being Windows 8 phobic, and I use Classic Shell to do pretty much what you are doing in Windows 8.

I do use Rocket Dock to launch most of the things I run on a regular basis.
And I just recently streamlined that process by putting similar software in folders on the dock to cut down the number of icons.

I.e. the G Folder has links to all my Adobe and other graphic arts software.



I put the things I want to have available when a window is open on the task bar.
Pretty much everything else I use is on my Rocket Dock bar.

This is a great simplification since my Metro All Programs Windows has over 400 icons on it.

Mike

I see that this works good for you and that's what customizing an OS is all about. I don't think a lot of people know that there is still the QLA in Windows 7 and probably 8. I don't pin but two icons to my Taskbar IE and FF. The rest of the shortcuts are in my QLA and that is similar to what you have done with the dock. I like to have the OS provide me with the ability to arrange many shortcuts in one area and access all of them with just one click.

The other major difference of QLA is the ability to add file-shortcuts rather than pinning applications. Much faster to access documents of any kind.

Oops, double post. Mods please remove this one.

Ztruker, post: 34630, member: 325 said:

I use the Quick Launch just like I did in XP, Vista, Windows 7 and now Windows 8 and 8.1.

Attachment 1315

My favorite reason for using the QLA is because I can have file-shortcuts and many more shortcuts to any area of the system without cluttering the desktop or the taskbar.

Do you professionals and power users agree?

I'll stand neutral, but I like the new system better and think it's quicker to use. That's just not menus, but rather the whole system in general. Whatever works best for any individual is what they'll use and there's no convincing otherwise no matter how much we discuss the point.

Customization of the Start Menu (no tiles please) equals speed! As you can see I am using the classic theme in Windows 7.

For starters, is 7 quicker in this scenario? http://www.eightforums.com/general-s...erses-7-a.html

We professionals and powers users can customize the Start Menu in such a way that we can access the most important areas, features, commands etc. of the OS.

There is no way that W8/8.1 UI could ever allow a user to navigate the OS as quickly as W7 Start Menu can. A press of the Windows Logo Key or a press of the cursor on the Start Button and in seconds you are where you need to be in your OS and in my case, quickly access my clients' computers.

I don't understand this reasoning. Why does everything have to be placed on one menu? Once I learned where everything is in 8.x, I simply go there, open an item, the menu (or screen) disappears, and the app/program opens. Same for the Start Menu. No loss of time with the new whatsoever.

I have seen so called leaked images of the Start Menu for Windows 9. I see no reason for any tiles or any resemblance of W8/8.1 on the new Windows 9 OS for (Keyboard and Mouse Users).

So, why not just admit that you don't like the Modern/Metro Store apps? Many do enjoy using them, so therefore tiles.

This screenie is an example of how I have customized the order of shortucts and how I want the right side of the menu to appear. These personalizations should never be taken away from any Windows PC user. Especially those of us who will never want or need a touch-screen.

"Personalizations" have not been "taken away". All that you show there can be placed in two columns and able to be titled on the Start Screen and the rest are in the Advanced Context Menu (power user task menu) in the lower-left hot corner of the screen or on the Taskbar (right click Start Flag) or simply place those items in a column. Using the WinKey or Start Flag I'm on the Start Screen just the same as Start Menu. Again, no loss whatsoever. As in my opening point, the advantage of the Start Screen is that while I'm there I get information that the Start Menu simply cannot offer.

Don't forget the convenience and speed of all that is on the Charms Bar. Of course that's if one has learned to use the system properly.

Bottom line is that this has been discussed ad nauseam on 8F. Until there is a scientific study of user results of 7 vs 8, no one can prove one over the other.

alphanumeric, post: 34564, member: 152 said:

Just as fast likely "until" you have to click "All Programs" to find what isn't in the main menu. Pressing the Windows key will bring up the Start Screen just like it opens the Start Menu. I see no difference there. Right clicking the Start Orb in 8.x gets you a quick menu of key functions. Or you can just open the Start Screen and start typing the name of what your looking for, if its not already pined there. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

I am glad you have a Start Orb for W8. Otherwise the OS appears to be ethereal rather than virtual.