What's recommended as Windows 8(.1) UI replacement

[AnthonyL]

Got a laptop that's just had its hard drive replaced so back to 8. First step to install 8.1. Next step to make it look a bit more like Window 7.

I've had a look at for instance:

http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/windows-8-start-menu-replacements-6-free-apps-to-bring-the-start-button-back-1143117/2#articleContent

Any recommendations - doesn't have to be too clever. Thanks.

 

[Ron AKA]

Jim I can't be bothered to read your long post. Windows 8.1 when you set it up properly works fine. No need to add software which will conflict and cause problems. I like it.

What problems have you seen with Classic Shell?

Nothing personally because I have no need for it. The most reliable software on my PC is the software I don't have. Same philosophy with running Windows Defender. That is all I use and it works perfectly. I had nothing but problems with third party software.

Then why say that it "will conflict and cause problems"?

I have had no problems at all with CS on two separate computers.

It's pretty easy to go back and see that he said it "will POTENTIALLY cause problems". And he's right, in so far as you are adding yet another point of possible failure or conflict.

My problem with Ron's argument is that it applies to everything you install. "Better not install Microsoft Office, it might conflict and cause problems". Well yeah, but that's what I bought my computer for, duh.

I have no problem with Ron deciding not to run software he doesn't need. But it sounds to me like he's saying "I don't need it therefore you shouldn't install it because it might cause problems". IMHO it's not his place to decide what other people need or would find useful.

To be more correct what I am saying is that it makes no sense to install another application instead of being too lazy to figure out how to use what you already have. Same as installing a noise reduction (or whatever) plug-in instead of learning to use the noise reduction capability of what you have already.

Sorry if I candy coated it too much in my earlier response, and made it difficult to clearly understand.

 

[Austinian]

I have to smile at Jim's "Playschool" reference. Same reaction to window interfaces in the 1980's and even early 1990. Even the same name calling for what is now defended as "The Serious" way to do computing.

I think that in the *nix world, that attitude lasted even longer, and to some degree persists today. Personally, I was delighted to get multitasking OSs with windowed UIs on my workstation and x86 PC.

Ah, yes... I remember when XP was introduced, it was roundly criticized as having a "Fisher-Price" UI, and people changing it to the "Classic" interface. ;-)

Guilty as charged! The colors were way too garish for my taste.

OTOH, I had no real problems with Windows 7's Aero.

 

[Russell Evans]

Jim I can't be bothered to read your long post. Windows 8.1 when you set it up properly works fine. No need to add software which will conflict and cause problems. I like it.

What problems have you seen with Classic Shell?

Nothing personally because I have no need for it. The most reliable software on my PC is the software I don't have. Same philosophy with running Windows Defender. That is all I use and it works perfectly. I had nothing but problems with third party software.

Then why say that it "will conflict and cause problems"?

I have had no problems at all with CS on two separate computers.

You might not notice it, but Classic Shell does cause issues as the Windows Start page can only use a two level deep menu structure. If you customize your Classic Shell menus to include three or more level deep menus, then you will find that those changes aren't reflected back into the Start Page.

You can get around not breaking the Start Page using a deep level menu by using custom location for the Classic Shell menu tree. You have to add new programs and updates like LR that use version based folders, but it isn't too hard to keep up with, and you'll more than likely need to do this in the Start page folder tree as well if you do much customization with it as well.

Thank you
Russell

 

[Austinian]

You might not notice it, but Classic Shell does cause issues as the Windows Start page can only use a two level deep menu structure. If you customize your Classic Shell menus to include three or more level deep menus, then you will find that those changes aren't reflected back into the Start Page.

You can get around not breaking the Start Page using a deep level menu by using custom location for the Classic Shell menu tree. You have to add new programs and updates like LR that use version based folders, but it isn't too hard to keep up with, and you'll more than likely need to do this in the Start page folder tree as well if you do much customization with it as well.

I've never done major customization to CS itself; I use the custom toolbar I described above instead, so I haven't seen that issue myself.

It's good you've posted this; with so many CS users around, very likely others have encountered the problem as well.

Thank you! Good work discovering the workaround.