How to bring back the start menu in Windows 8/8.1

[Samtastic]

There are a number of third party tools that allow you to bring back the start menu to Windows 8/8.1.

The one I enjoy using is Startisback. Just like the website says, it gives you a real Windows 7 style start menu which goes to the Windows 8.1 start button.

http://startisback.com/

Simply download it, install it and the start menu will appear instead of the start screen!

You still have to pay for a full license but there is a free one called ClassicShell. It brings back the old Windows Explorer and has many customization options:

http://www.classicshell.net/

One thing I don't like about Classic Shell is that even when you remove it it still keeps File Explorer the same way as it was left when Classic Shell is installed. This is why I prefer StartisBack.