How to Use Stardock Start8 to Customize Your Windows 8 Desktop Experience
Stardock Start8: How to Bring Back the Classic Start Menu to Windows 8
If you are using Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012, you might have noticed that Microsoft has removed the familiar Start button and menu from the desktop. Instead, you have to use the full-screen, Metro-style Start screen that shows all your apps, tiles, and notifications. While some users may like this new interface, others may find it confusing, inconvenient, or simply unappealing.
Stardock Start8 V1.0 Full Version
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Fortunately, there is a way to restore the classic Start menu to Windows 8 with a third-party software called Stardock Start8. This software lets you customize your Windows experience by adding a Windows 7-style Start menu with Windows 8 enhancements. You can also boot directly to the desktop, bypassing the Start screen, and disable the hot corners that activate the charms bar and app switcher.
In this article, we will show you how to download, install, and use Stardock Start8 to make your Windows 8 PC more user-friendly and productive. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about this software.
How to Download and Install Stardock Start8
The first step is to get Stardock Start8 from its official website. You can download a free trial version that lasts for 30 days, or you can purchase a full version for $4.99. The software is compatible with Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and their server counterparts.
Once you have downloaded the setup file, double-click on it to run it. You will see a welcome screen that asks you to accept the license agreement and choose your installation folder. You can also opt to create a desktop shortcut for easy access.
After that, you will see a screen that lets you choose your preferences for Stardock Start8. You can select one of the four styles for your Start button: Windows 7 style, Windows 8 style, custom image, or no image. You can also choose whether you want to boot directly to the desktop or not. Finally, you can decide whether you want to disable all Windows 8 hot corners or only some of them.
When you are done with your choices, click Install. The installation process will take a few seconds, and then you will see a confirmation screen that tells you that Stardock Start8 is ready to use. Click Finish to exit the setup wizard.
How to Customize Your Start Menu with Stardock Start8
Now that you have installed Stardock Start8, you can enjoy using your new Start menu on your Windows 8 desktop. To access it, simply click on the Start button on the lower left corner of your screen, or press the Windows logo key on your keyboard. You will see a familiar interface that resembles the Windows 7 Start menu, but with some Windows 8 features added.
You can customize your Start menu in various ways with Stardock Start8. Here are some of the things you can do:
Change the style, color, and skin of the Start button and menu: Right-click on the Start button and select Configure Start8. This will open a window where you can adjust various settings for your Start menu. You can choose from different styles, such as Windows 7 style, Windows 8 style, Modern UI style, or Classic style. You can also change the color of the Start button and menu to match your desktop theme, or choose a custom color. You can also apply different skins to your Start menu, such as Aero, Metro, or Basic.
Pin, unpin, and resize tiles and programs on the Start menu: You can add or remove tiles and programs on your Start menu by pinning or unpinning them. To pin a tile or program, right-click on it and select Pin to Start Menu. To unpin a tile or program, right-click on it and select Unpin from Start Menu. You can also resize the tiles by right-clicking on them and selecting Small, Medium, Large, or Wide. You can also rearrange the tiles and programs by dragging and dropping them to your desired position.
Access and search for apps, settings, files, and documents on the Start menu: You can easily access and search for anything on your Windows 8 PC using the Start menu. To access your apps, click on the All Programs button on the lower left corner of the Start menu. You will see a list of all your installed apps, categorized by folders. You can also access your settings by clicking on the Control Panel button on the right side of the Start menu. You can also access your files and documents by clicking on the Documents, Pictures, Music, or Computer buttons on the right side of the Start menu. To search for anything on your PC, simply type in the search box on the lower right corner of the Start menu. You will see instant results as you type, filtered by apps, settings, files, or web.
How to Boot Directly to the Desktop and Disable the Hot Corners with Stardock Start8
Another feature of Stardock Start8 is that it allows you to boot directly to the desktop instead of the Start screen when you turn on your Windows 8 PC. This can save you time and hassle if you prefer to use the desktop mode more often than the Metro mode.
To enable this feature, right-click on the Start button and select Configure Start8. Then go to the Desktop tab and check the box that says Boot to desktop instead of start screen. Click OK to save your changes.
Stardock Start8 also lets you disable the hot corners that activate the charms bar and app switcher when you move your mouse cursor to the corners of your screen. Some users may find these features annoying or distracting, especially if they accidentally trigger them while working on something else.
To disable these features, right-click on the Start button and select Configure Start8. Then go to the Desktop tab and uncheck the boxes that say Enable Windows 8 hot corners. You can choose to disable all of them or only some of them. Click OK to save your changes.
Conclusion
Stardock Start8 is a powerful and easy-to-use software that lets you bring back the classic Start menu to Windows 8. It also lets you boot directly to the desktop and disable the hot corners that activate the charms bar and app switcher. With Stardock Start8, you can customize your Windows experience according to your preferences and needs.
If you want to try Stardock Start8 for yourself, you can download a free trial version from its official website: https://www.stardock.com/products/start8/. If you like it, you can purchase a full version for only $4.99.
Don't let Windows 8 frustrate you with its new interface. Get Stardock Start8 today and enjoy using your Windows 8 PC like never before!
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about Stardock Start8:
Q: Does Stardock Start8 work with Windows 10?
A: No, Stardock Start8 is designed for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 only. If you want to use a similar software for Windows 10, you can try Stardock's other product: Start10.
Q: How do I uninstall Stardock Start8?
A: To uninstall Stardock Start8, go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program. Find Stardock Start8 in the list of programs and click Uninstall. Follow the instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
Q: How do I update Stardock Start8?A: Stardock Start8 will automatically check for updates and notify you when a new version is available. You can also manually check for updates by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Check for updates. If there is an update available, you can download and install it from the Stardock website.
Q: How do I switch between the Start menu and the Start screen?
A: If you want to switch between the Start menu and the Start screen, you can use the toggle button on the lower right corner of the Start menu. You can also press and hold the Shift key while clicking on the Start button to switch to the Start screen. To switch back to the Start menu, press the Windows logo key or click on the Desktop tile on the Start screen.
Q: How do I contact Stardock for support or feedback?
A: If you need any help or have any suggestions for Stardock Start8, you can contact Stardock through their website: https://www.stardock.com/support/. You can also visit their forums: https://forums.stardock.com/forum/1145 to interact with other users and developers.
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