A history of the Windows Start menu

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  1. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #10

    Micosoft should license Classic Shell for Windows since it is a superior solution. I've configured mine so mouse hover over the Start button opens Classic Shell and a left click opens the Windows Start Menu.
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  2. Posts : 261
    Win 10 Home Single Language, Ver 1809, Build 17763.379
       #11

    I also support the classic shell ideas but do not use classic shell. Instead I have created some shortcuts to the most used items as I alwys did on previous versions of Windows on the desktop. This has saved my bacon on many occasions as when the start menu and the taskbar gives problems I am still able to access what I want.
    I also still use "control panel" and as well as the other version of control panel, called "God Mode"
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  3. Posts : 18
    XP/7/8.1/10 PRO 10586
       #12

    Steve C said:
    Micosoft should license Classic Shell for Windows since it is a superior solution. I've configured mine so mouse hover over the Start button opens Classic Shell and a left click opens the Windows Start Menu.
    That's a pretty badass combo
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  4. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #13

    The way I look at the windows start menu is "does it start the programs I wish to use" - If the answer is yes then It's fine, I see it for probably less than 60 seconds a day so in my working day it's an irrelevance

    As for Classic Shell ... Why add something that does nothing other than make a current OS look like something from the past, and uses up resources,
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  5. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #14

    Jody Thornton said:
    Isn't the Windows 10 incarnation really just a Modern/Metro app in a big window?
    If you mean is it programmed using XAML then yes (except it is a resizable window unlike windows 8 where it was full screen). I liked the 8 start screen at the time (although I've gone off it now and find it rather jarring when I have to use it especially if you use Teamviewer or Webex and it has to refresh the whole screen).

    The absolute best thing MS did with the start menu was in Vista. Pressing the to search. Sometimes I have to use XP remotely and I feel like a right thicko wandering around the menu with everyone watching because I've forgotten where something is.

    Anything more recent than Vista there is no reason to use a start menu at all - use and type. Put in E you get Excel, put in S you get Snipping tool. It learns - if I put in Sp I get spending.xls which is where I (rather anally) record what I spend.

    If you want to browse files use the Windows Explorer. Honestly I wouldn't care (or even notice probably) if they removed the start menu completely.

    @Barman58 says he spends a maximum of 60 seconds a day using the start menu. I'd say at most I use it 5% of that time (perhaps 2 or 3 seconds) and most days not at all.
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  6. Posts : 14
    Windows 10
       #15

    eLPuSHeR said:
    Another vote here for Classic Shell.

    An another vote for Classic shell...

    When I upgraded my PC, it unfortunately came with a copy Windows 8 (which had just been released),
    after giving it a go for a week, I was ready to 'nuke' the HDD and clean re/install Windows 7, when a
    colleague suggested giving Classic menu a go. I did, and went on to use it not only in Windows 8
    and 8.1, but installed it about an hour after installing Windows 10 back in July last year.

    Nope, I have no interest whatsoever in giving the current version of the MS 'menu' a go, as Classic menu
    does what is says on the tin faultlessly, did so in Windows 8, did so in 8.1 and still does so in Windows10.
    (by the way,I also like Classic explorer)

    An as someone who has used Windows since the late 1990's, I have little interest of going back to the
    days of having type in everything I want to use, partly because when I open the Classic menu I might
    want a choice of software to use. Yes, I know Windows offers a choice of what use to open something,
    but in my opinion that irritating Windows menu is time-wasting, with its limited choices and emphasis
    on the default apps.
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  7. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #16

    Uilly said:
    I have little interest of going back to the
    days of having type in everything I want to use, partly because when I open the Classic menu I might
    want a choice of software to use.
    Are you seriously suggesting that you get sent a (I don't know) a .doc file and then save it, you open up the start menu and think:

    Hmmm, what program shall I open this sucker with. I tried this .doc with Word yesterday but today I'm gonna give Wordpad a spin.

    Or are you saying you have so many programs to deal with certain document types you can't remember what they are called or what they are for so you stare and the screen.

    Start Menu>Programs>Microsoft>Programs to do with text documents>Wordpad >no> Word>No>OK>probably notepad will work.
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  8. Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       #17

    If things like 'fattened' right click menus seem to suffice for touch devices, why have tiles at all!
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  9. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #18

    Edwin said:
    If things like 'fattened' right click menus seem to suffice for touch devices, why have tiles at all!
    Perhaps. I don't believe anyone (apart from users of this forum) use start menu though.

    You get sent a .xls you click on it and it opens excel or whatever.

    You don't save it then go scouting around the start menu looking for a program to open it with.

    I get it people don't like flat aesthetics, but a start menu no-one uses? Come one. Doesn't matter.
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  10. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #19

    The only time I ever consider what application to open a file with is for media files.

    I have, of course, set relevant defaults, but sometimes I have a need, (or whim ) to open with an alternate application, (Open an MP3 file in an editor rather than a player).

    In this situation I simply right click the file and choose "Open With ..." Windows has conveniently added the programs I have used in the past to a drop-down list
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