StartIsBack - real start menu in Windows 8

Start is back! 2.1

Boot to desktop
Your session would start with the desktop. Always!
Unlike other solutions, StartIsBack goes directly to desktop every time without flashing Start Screen even for a millisecond.
Restore original fully-featured Windows 7 start menu - with new styles
StartIsBack restores original Windows 7 start menu with all its features: search, jump lists, drag&drop, pinned and recently used apps, fully customizable settings.
Start button and Start menu look and behave exactly as they used to in Windows 7.
StartIsBack includes fine-tuned visual styles and start button images that will fit your style and Windows 8 style.
Achieve the balance between Desktop and Modern UI
Lot of troubles bug long time users in Windows 8: overly active screen corners; Start screen jumping in your face; hotkeys not behaving the way they're expected to. StartIsBack allows you to fix many of those issues without breaking any usage scenarios, increasing your productivity with both Desktop and Modern interfaces.
Separate Desktop and Modern UI and make Start Screen clutter-free
StartIsBack is the only tool which is able to provide consistency in Windows 8 by separating desktop and modern programs.
Real work is done on desktop while new Start screen turns into launcher for modern apps only.
Windows 8 forces you to organize new Start screen which can quickly become a long list of mess with automatically pinned programs.
This is no longer the case with StartIsBack! If you turn Start screen into Apps screen, you won't have the pain to manage two Start places.
Totally native; fully localized
StartIsBack does not run any additional services or programs. It integrates into your computer smoothly.
It does not require any other tools or frameworks to install and can be installed without administrative privileges.
Start menu is fully localized into your language with same metrics and names Windows 7 had.
Rich customization and configuration
StartIsBack allows you to configure all aspects of appearance and behavior of Start menu.
This is done in most reliable way, within attractive and easy configuration UI.
You can even configure Start menu to work like Windows XP one!

More to come!

Essential questions

How is it possible for Windows 8 to have real start menu? Microsoft said they did remove it!

They did, but not completely. Removing start menu completely would require rearchitecting some key Windows code base and raising compatibility issues which they couldn't seemingly afford. StartIsBack reuses large portion of start menu code left, but contains a large amount of code to make as well it work as you expect and new functions too.

What if Microsoft removes it and breaks StartIsBack?

It's almost impossible since it involves rearchitecting Windows 8 code which Microsoft won't do until major changes to Windows.

Can i use Windows Update without troubles?

Yes, StartIsBack is compatible with all updates for Windows 8. It should be compatible with all Service Packs as well, unless they would bring major rearchitecting of Windows 8.

What are system requirements?

No special ones. You may use StartIsBack with release versions of Windows 8 (any edition), Windows Server 2012 (w/GUI installation), Windows Embedded Standard 8 (w/Explorer shell).

Features

How do I configure Start Menu?

Either right-click Start button and click "Properties" or right-click opened Start Menu itself and choose "Properties" context menu item.

How do I invoke new Windows 8 Start Screen?

Either press Ctrl+Win (configurable shortcut) or click Start button with mouse wheel. If mouse wheel click is not working, you may need to tweak your mouse driver.

If I turn my Start Screen into Apps Screen, will I be able to undo it?

Yes. You can disable this feature at any moment and your desktop shortcuts will return to their places.

Is it possible to remove Metro (Modern, oppa MS Style) UI completely?

No, it's not possible to remove it without bugs since a lot of things depend on it. You can download my another (free) program Ex7forW8 (google it) and use Windows 8 without Metro UI, but with several limitations.

How do I rearrange programs in All Programs list?

You can rearrange folders and programs in All Programs list, both in Windows 7 and Windows XP mode, if you uncheck "Sort All Programs menu by name" option.

Can I integrate StartIsBack into my Windows installation?

Yes; the easiest way would be to create image of installation with StartIsBack installed, with tool like RecImg. Download Deployment Guide to find more.

Trial, licensing and activation

How trial version works?

There are no limitations in trial version. After installing it runs for 30 days. If you don't activate it with license number you bought within 30 days, it will still work, but in limited mode: Start Menu will be blank and non-customizable; every boot you'll be nagged about evaluation period over. Trial period runs for each user which have installed StartIsBack on one PC separately.

What is activation and why is it needed?

Activation is a process of validating your license online. It ties your computer to your license via online service. It is required in order to make sure license use is not abused. One license key allows you to activate a limited number of computers.

How my computer is identified?

Your computer is uniquely identified by motherboard unique number and hard disk physical serial number OS is installed to.

What if i change hardware configuration of my PC?

Activation will be still valid and count as same PC valid unless you change BOTH motherboard AND hard drive which has OS installed. Note that this behavior may be dependant on BIOS updates and chipset drivers so can't be guaranteed for 100%. If you have issues, contact me.

Does StartIsBack "phone home"?

No. StartIsBack does not collect information about your PC hardware or software. It does not use Internet connection for license validation purposes except the moment you activate it. Online activation service does not collect your IP address or any other information which could identify you or your computer. Computer unique identifiers are transferred in hash form, which does not allow me or anyone else to view it.

How many times can I reinstall / reactivate StartIsBack?

There is no limitation on how many times you can activate an installation on the same PC.

Does my license expire?

No, your license will never expire and is valid for all future versions of StartIsBack.

Download StartIsBack

Download now Version 2.1 30-day trial

Fully translated: English, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, French, Danish, Greek, Italian, Turkish, Spanish, German, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Slovak, Finnish, Korean, Dutch, Norwegian, Serbian, Slovenian, Bangla, Hungarian, Swedish, Simplified Chinese, Indonesian, Arabic, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Farsi, Ukrainian

StartIsBack is digitally signed by STANISLAV ZINUKHOV with idenity check provided by StartCom© Certification Authority. Do not download StartIsBack from untrusted websites. Before downloading, installing or using this program you must read Personal License Agreement and agree to be bound by it.

Download StartIsBack Deployment guide and group policy template

Version History

Version 2.1 15 May 2013

Hot: Advanced option - Show taskbar on Start screen. Very useful on tablets!
Configurator fully supports high-DPI screens and RTL languages
Desktop toast notification is shown when new StartIsBack version is available
"Pin to Start menu" is available in all programs context menus, not just in File Explorer
Excluded shortcuts for system shortcuts available in right pane from MFU
Multiple license activations are possible on the same Windows installation, same license key, but different hardware
Fix: 'Start is apps' feature breaking toast notifications
Fix: closing desktop returns to desktop
New translations
NOTE: due to Microsoft request, all start button images containing Windows logo were removed. You can download them separately

Version 2.0.2 12 Mar 2013

Improved compatibility with non-fullscreen modern apps
Shortcuts for games are no longer created in Games start menu subfolder. Games can be searched from Start menu search
Fix: Start Screen shortcut was removed by some cleaners

Fix: crash in Windows XP style All Programs list
Updated translations

What's new in this major release:

New skin and orb image
Greatly improved Appearance UI
Modern Apps (Start Apps) are included into MFU and all programs list (optional)
Shortcut to Start Screen in Start Menu
Option to display all programs as multi-column flyout menu (Windows XP style)
Option to enable Start Screen hot corner on desktop
Bottom-left hot corner configuration
Option to configure what happens when Modern app closes
Advanced Win hotkeys configuration options
Option to hide Start button
Option to disable StartIsBack
Some useful Windows settings at hand
Group Policy support

Fixed:

Programs removed from MFU program list could return there
Secondary tiles for modern apps are excluded from MFU and new program highlighting
Search no longer finds faux shortcuts (Desktop, PC settings, Windows Store)
Pinned items are automatically renamed if renamed from shortcut properties
Shortcuts for games with dot in name could be created incorrectly
Uninstall could fail to remove installation directory
Windows key could fail to show start menu on some systems
Search could be slow to update search results and icons
Switching users could squish start menu
Incorrect blending in start button hover animation

Fix: StartIsBack could fail to work on some systems with DEP enabled

Fix: new program highlighting errorneusly fired for new users and roaming profiles
Fix: orb unhides when hidden taskbar is shown (IrfanView)
Fix: icons could fail to show in program list

Fix: program highlighting could work incorrectly
Fix: moving metro apps between monitors didn't update hot corners
Windows 7 start menu pinned items are migrated on first install
Startup programs are launched without 10 second delay
Shortcuts for newly installed games are created in Games start menu subfolder
New translations

Fix: MFU app list could contain duplicate item
Fix: Start orb could be moved by rogue programs
Fix: license activation for all users could fail on some systems
Fix: shortcuts created by Windows Installer didn't show 'Pin to Start Menu'
Hot corners are enabled for Modern apps only for monitor where they're open on
Newly installed programs are properly highlighted
Right-to-left Windows languages are now supported
License key is no longer stored as a plain text
Improved start menu performance
AeroByDesign skin updated
New translations

Fix: user frame could be incorrectly placed for bottom taskbar

New: skins! StartIsBack now supports start menu skins without third-party tools; two beautiful ones included
New: option to combine start button menu with Win+X menu
New: option to hide user account picture
New: shortcut for configuring Start menu in Control Panel
Fix: hibernate shutdown option could fail to show in configurator
Fix: high contast themes start menu issues
Installing for all users no longer requires log off
New translations
StartIsBack is now digitally signed

Fix: opening start button context menu did not prevent autohide
Fix: uninstall could fail to remove settings / license
Fix: taskbar unhide didn't work in start button area
New: silent install (/silent for user install; /elevated /silent for machine install; if machine must be run with admin rights; does not start explorer back)
New: option to start with start screen
New: option to call start screen with Win key
New alternate orb (by PainteR)
New translations
Less restrictions (same as in Windows 7) on items which can be pinned to start menu
Start button context menu shows same items as in Windows 7

First official version

Buy StartIsBack Personal Edition

You can easily buy StartIsBack with PayPal.

Can't use PayPal? You can pay directly, quickly and anonymously (but a bit pricier) with Gumroad.

License for 2 PCs License for 5 PCs

You should receive license key to your buyer e-mail address in several minutes after payment. If possible, do not use @aol mailboxes.
Please check your spam folder. If you don't receive email in reasonable time, please contact me

StartIsBack Personal License can be used only for personal purposes. You must agree to be bound by terms of license agreement.

If you're interested in volume purchases or enterprise features, please contact me with possible offers.

If you're a visual styles (skins) creator and intend to make visual styles for Windows 8 with Start Menu skinned, you can get StartIsBack license key for free. Contact me.

StartIsBack Business Edition license

If you want to use StartIsBack at business environment, you can do it now!

Additional features provided by Business License:

Ability to deactivate computers from your license at your will, without support request. You will be able to reset activated PC count assigned for your license and refresh your PC park without troubles.
Priority e-mail support.
More perks in the future.

Business Edition License Agreement

Mini-FAQ

Does Business license requires downloading special version?

No. Currently, Business license key is applicable to standard StartIsBack version you download.

How can I deactivate computers from my license?

Go to support and query your license information. In the received mail a link to deactivate computers will be given if available. Note: To prevent abuse, you can deactivate computers which were activated at least one week ago. If blatant abuse is detected on your license key, you may lose deactivation functionality.

Can I split, resell my license key?

No. You can't resell, split, sublicense, lease or rent your license key. You may want to resell Personal Edition instead.

Buy StartIsBack Business Edition

You should receive license key to your Paypal buyer e-mail address in several minutes after payment. Please check your spam folder.
If you don't receive email in reasonable time, please contact me

Sorry, but there are no alternate payment methods now.

Query license information

If you lost your license key, use the form below.

General support

Support forums will be created soon, for now you can visit MSFN support and beta testing thread

If you have licensing or urgent support questions, please email me to