Tag Archives: Start Orb

Hide System Tray Icons, App Windows Or Any Part Of The Taskbar

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The taskbar works like a control center for Windows that allows you manage all the running applications, launch new ones through pinned shortcuts, access the Start Menu and view the system tray items such as running services, time clock etc. The default taskbar options in Windows 7 allow you to change the Taskbar appearance, including the grouping and size of icons, the Notification area, and use of Aero Peek. Moreover, there are options to customize the Start Menu and choose the toolbars that you want to be available on the taskbar. Today, we have a tool for you called Taskbar Hide, which provides users with a lot of taskbar related options, such as hiding or closing program windows, hiding system tray icons, modifying the order of running applications on taskbar, setting application windows to stay on top, hiding a part of the taskbar, etc. The program lets you deal with the application and system tray icons individually to control the taskbar’s appearance. All the options can be accessed through the main interface, as well as using hotkeys. Read More

Best Windows 8 Start Screen Modifiers And Start Menu Apps

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One of the most talked-about UI elements of Windows 8 is its Start Screen. Microsoft believes that Start Screen provides the ideal environment to interact with the latest operating system, but most Windows enthusiasts think otherwise. Needless to say, it’ll take some time for users to adapt to the new interface, but right now, absence of certain features that we've used for so long makes the whole experience a tad awkward for most. One of those features is the Start Menu. Many of us are so attached with it that the abrupt change seems almost like an anomaly. From what the word around the web tells us, users have little or no grudge against the Start Screen itself, but simply want to be given the choice to switch between the Start Screen and Start Menu. If you’re among those folks who miss the Start Menu in Windows 8, here’s a rundown of ten amazing, free third-party Start Screen modifiers and Start Menu apps that may satiate your needs. Read More

Add Windows 7 Start Menu & Start Orb To Windows 8 With StartMenu 8

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When I first began using Windows 8, it simply seemed awesome. The Modern UI apps, ribbon-based File Explorer, the snappier user experience, and a brand new Start Screen, all looked great, until I found that groovy Start Screen replaced the more endearing Start Menu, which I've grown used to. With such a high demand of Start Menu for Windows 8, every once in a while, we come across a Start Menu clone for Windows 8. Start8 from Stardock is, hands down, the best Start Menu we found for Windows 8. It comes with a customizable Start Orb and perfectly fits with the new Window 8 Modern UI. Start8 was free when it was first launched, but unfortunately, it's now available as shareware and costs $4.99. If you’re looking for a free Start Menu for Windows 8, give IObit Start Menu 8 a shot. It adds a Windows 7-like start menu to Windows 8. As of now (and seems always will be), the application is available for free and works without any issues. Read More

Classic Shell Updated, Lets You Add Windows 7 Start Menu & XP Explorer Toolbar To Windows 8

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When making the switch from an old program to its newer version requires a significant amount of effort that is needed to learn all the new things and change the way you performed the old ones. This effect is magnified when you upgrade the whole operating system.  Microsoft has recently released a preview of its latest operating system, Windows 8, and by the looks of it, a lot has changed in this version. Classic Shell is a very popular Windows enhancement tool and it has been recently updated to support Windows 8. Previously, when it was only available for Windows Vista and Windows 7, it included a collection of features that were available in the older Windows versions, but were removed from Windows Vista and Windows 7. Now, it performs the same function for Windows 8, i-e, adds all those things that were present in Windows 7, but were, for some reason, removed from the latest Windows release. These features include the greatly missed Windows Start Orb, the old Windows XP style toolbar in Windows Explorer, and a lot of other features. Keep reading after the break to find out more about Classic Shell. Read More

Start8 Adds Metro Start Menu In Windows 8, The Way It Should Have Been

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A while back, Aatif explained why Microsoft took a bold decision of removing the traditional Start Orb and Start Menu from Windows 8, and then Fawad featured a Windows 8 application named ViStart for all those avid Start Menu users who want to bring the classic Start Orb as well as Start Menu back to Windows 8. Even though ViStart requires you to tweak the settings and create a new toolbar to properly adjust the Start Orb, the Start Menu doesn’t support Windows 8 Aero Glass effect, and sometimes fails to add (pin) the folders and programs to the Start Menu. If you aren’t a die hard fan of Windows 7 Start Orb and Start Menu, and also don’t want the fuss of having to access Windows built-in utilities and installed apps from a newly designed Start Screen, then you may want to give Start8 a spin. It’s a freshly developed application for Windows 8 that adds Start Orb, and Metro style Start Menu to Windows 8. Read past the jump to find out what else Start8 has to offer. Read More

Where Is The Start Menu In Windows 8?

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Ever since the Consumer Preview of Windows 8 became available, the complaint that most users daring enough to test the new OS have come up with is that there is no Start Orb (or menu, or button, whichever you prefer). This aspect of the new OS became even more erratic than before, since the Developer builds of Windows 8 did come with a Start Menu of sorts, but with the Consumer Preview (Microsoft’s terminology for a beta), it got stripped out completely. Instead, what you now get is a beautiful, alive and convenient – yes, very convenient – Start Screen that forms a major portion of Windows 8's new look and feel. Read More

Bring Back The Start Orb/ Menu To Windows 8 Using ViStart

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If you have downloaded and started using Windows 8 Consumer Preview, you must have noticed and greatly missed the Start Orb of Windows 7. Microsoft has decided to make the infamous Windows Start Menu a thing of the past and replace it with the flashy and colorful Start Screen. But as they say, old habits die hard, and while using Windows 8, more than once have we longed for the Start Orb. Getting used to the new Start Screen will surely take some time. Till you get used to working with the Start Screen, you can use a useful little tool called ViStart that adds a Start Orb and brings the Start Menu to Windows 8. Originally, this application was meant for Windows 7, so it has some issues on Windows 8. Read on to find out about the pros and cons that ViStart brings to Windows 8. Read More

Get Windows 7 Start Menu, Explorer And Task Manager In Windows 8

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If you are one of the first users who grabbed the latest Windows 8 developer preview, you will find that a lot has changed since Windows 7. Among the visible changes are the Start Menu, Windows Explorer Ribbon, and Task Manager, all of which have been totally revamped by Microsoft. If you are a big fan of Windows 7 and want to bring back Windows 7 Start Menu, Windows Explorer (without Ribbon), and Task Manager in Windows 8, the result is just a few clicks away since it requires a simple registry tweak. Read More