Where's my Start Menu?

Much of Windows 8 will surprise and/or confuse users on first boot, but its desktop's absence of a Start menu looks to be its biggest long-term annoyance. Microsoft responded to this pretty quickly with the release of the free Windows 8.1 upgrade. So when you first turn on your new fancy computer – head on over to the Windows Updates and let that finish up before throwing it out the window.

So that takes care of one problem….but first you have to flip over to Windows 8's new-look Start screen (by clicking in the bottom-left corner of the screen or with a tap of the keyboard's Windows-logo key), then you can either start typing a program's name to launch a search for it or right-click on a blank area and select an "All apps" icon to see a screen listing all of your choices. To me, and most other Windows 8 users I've heard from, that's too much of a detour.

To that effect, I have modified my PC Setup Service to include an optional “Make 8 More Like 7” routine. Once your computer is online, we can even do this all remotely. This service includes downloading and installing essential software such as Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, and programs like WinRAR, running all necessary Windows Updates, installing an Internet Security Solution and up to three pieces of software provided by the client.

Otherwise, you may want to install third-party software such as Classic Shell. It installs quickly, matches the cleaner looks of Windows 8's desktop instead of looking like some grafted-on growth and lets you prune such Start menu clutter as the "Games" and "Default Programs" links.

Start8 also comes preset to boot Windows into the desktop instead of the Start screen and allows you to disable some new Win 8 features such as the "charms bar" that materializes when you mouse into the bottom or top right corners.

San Francisco-based IObit's Start Menu 8 is free and installs as quickly as Start8, but its beta status results in distracting orange "Send Feedback" button below your account picture at the top of the Start menu. It doesn't provide as many options to clean up the Start menu and leaves some clutter of its own: a desktop shortcut that did absolutely nothing on my laptop.

For more help and tips, check out www.MooreITHelp.com