Summary: So it’s time for you to buy a new computer. You go out, buy a sleek new Ultrabook, come home and power it on. But… wait. Where’s the start button?! It’s going to be okay. You just experienced Windows 8 shock. Very different from previous versions of Windows, Windows 8 is the first operating system to be designed with both computers and tablets in mind. What’s that mean? Your traditional start menu is no longer what it was. But don’t worry! A whole bunch of companies have made programs to emulate the start menu you found in Windows 7 and earlier. Some even let you switch directly to the desktop when you first log in. Applications like Start8, StartIsBack and RetroUI all make up for Windows 8’s lack of a start menu, while Classic Shell sends things way back to make your computer look like it’s running Windows XP. If you still can’t stand Windows 8 and are ready to throw your shiny new laptop out the window, follow me at @ShellyPalmer on Twitter to learn all about how to save your new computer.
