Windows 8.1 Start Screen vs. Windows 10 Start Menu

I do a lot of photo/video editing (and gaming) so desktop view is very natural to use, however for my social stuff, browsing mags, Netflix, etc., Metro offers a lot of nice venues.

So, I like both, however I am not at all happy about the Windows 10 start Menu so a third party application is my choice.

I still don't understand why they brought another tiled menu into the mix, the start screen is optimum for tiles, and all they needed to do was add a Windows 7 menu. I just dont follow Microsoft's logic.

Lee said:

What. . .under Win 8 folks cried the wows of not having a start menu, and how sad it was they had to use a third party application to just have a start menu. . . Microsoft has given them a start menu (not as yet perfect though they are working on it), and now they are attempting to push the idea that a third party menu is the only way to go. . .go figure.

When complaining our mother would say to us "You'd complain if you were hung with a new rope!"

The Stones put it; "You can't always get what you want, but you get what you need."

Edwin said:

K..., MS just needs to include these options and it'll be perfect for everybody!!!

Very nice, Edwin.

But now let's face reality.

Fahadking07 said:

I love Win8.1's start menu!

Reminds me of OS X Launch Pad

Start Screen and from what I've seen in the early somewhat functioning Windows 10 Start Screen, 10>8.1.1. It's more or less what I wished Microsoft would have designed it, take bits of the old Start menu and combine it with the new. That way it's new but familiar. And this way, I might not have to pin File Explorer locations to Start anymore!

It looks like it's going to mesh Windows Phone's Start Screen with Windows 8.1's Start Screen together. It doesn't seem like All Apps will be a totally different view, but more like the old All Programs list. How they have it set it up in the latest preview build when you enable it, it'll have the All Apps list alongside with the rest of your Start Screen.

I prefer a full Start Screen mainly because to me, it's like the backstage view of the Desktop. I'm kind of glad they're taking that route as I wished they did three years ago when 8 was being developed. The Desktop is the forefront of the Windows PC whether anyone likes that or not, and it should be complemented how in Office 2010/13 has their Backstage view through the File tab. It shows much more, it consolidates pop out windows, easier to navigate, and just better.

As things stand now, I will simply continue to use the Classic Shell start menu replacement...

AFAIK you can have only the Start Menu or the Start Screen at any one time. I'd like to be able to use either one on the fly, without having to log out and back in again. Right now I prefer the Start Menu, but still see value in the Start Screen. Let's have both at the same time, within the same login session...

Rickkins said:

As things stand now, I will simply continue to use the Classic Shell start menu replacement...

Like that is a big surprise. . .